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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal Systems Engineer - **Company:** Onto Innovation - **Location:** United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $144,000.0 - $216,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Systems Engineering, LabVIEW, MATLAB, Rapid Prototyping Process, Signal Processing, Verification and Validation (Software), Systems Architecture, System Testing, Systems Integration, Zemax - **Published:** July 28, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.dice.com/job-detail/35921f77-b7bd-468d-965e-fbbdf8f4a4a2 ## About the Role * PhD (preferred) or advanced degree in Physics, Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field. * 10+ years of experience developing high-precision optical or semiconductor capital equipment, or related complex technical systems. * Proven ability to ideate, prototype, and bring complex products to market. * Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including structured root cause analysis and solution development. * Experience with optical inspection, metrology, spectroscopy, ellipsometry, and reflectometry is a plus. * Knowledge of statistical signal processing and advanced control systems is a plus * Experience with MATLAB, LabVIEW, and ZEMAX is a plus. ## Description We are seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to provide technical leadership in the advancement of the existing platforms and the introduction of new complex automated optical inspection and metrology systems for the semiconductor industry. This role spans the full product lifecycle, from early-stage research and concept development through productization, transfer to manufacturing, and field support. This is a hands-on cross-functional leadership role that interfaces closely with hardware, software, system test/verification/validation, manufacturing and service teams. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in several of the following areas: systems engineering, optical or imaging instrument development, semiconductor inspection and metrology, and innovation and creative problem-solving., * Provide technical leadership through a full product development lifecycle, from early stage research to implementation. * Own and execute core system engineering activities, including requirement definition and total system solution under technical, project, and business constraints. * Drive early-stage concept development, rapid prototyping, and test iterations in collaboration with cross-functional teams. * Lead technical planning for cross-functionally critical activities, including roadmap development, system integration, verification and validation, transfer to manufacturing and service readiness. * Define system architecture and identify/mitigate technical risks; collaborate with engineers and subject-matter experts to ensure deep understanding of underlying technologies and design decisions. * Evaluate, track, and clearly communicate development maturity and technical readiness level to stakeholders. * Mentor and technically develop members of the engineering team, fostering system-level thinking. Differentiating Factors * Autonomy and Initiative: Works independently to implement strategic goals and establish operational plans. Demonstrates strong ownership, initiative, and accountability. * Innovation and Complexity: Resolves issues that span wide range of difficulties across different functions. Develops innovative solutions to unique technical challenges and continuously improves existing systems, processes, and methodologies. * Communication and Influence: Effective team player who can influence across engineering, operations, field service, and executive leadership. Comfortable engaging both internal and external stakeholders on critical technical matters. Must be able to travel internationally to customer sites at least 20% of the time, with additional travel as business needs require. ## Related Videos - [Strange New Worlds: shaping the future of the digital age](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/677-strange-new-worlds-shaping-the-future-of-the-digital-age) - [Leveraging Large Language Models for Legacy Code Translation: Challenges and Solutions](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1157-leveraging-large-language-models-for-legacy-code-translation-challenges-and-solutions) - [Building a hypercar from scratch](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/607-building-a-hypercar-from-scratch) - [The Billion Dollar Machine: First Time Right.](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/393-the-billion-dollar-machine-first-time-right) - [Software stack under and over the hood of the fastest accelerating car in the world](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/221-software-stack-under-and-over-the-hood-of-the-fastest-accelerating-car-in-the-world) - [More efficient software for more efficient microchips](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1164-more-efficient-software-for-more-efficient-microchips) ## Related Articles - [What is Software Engineering?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/289-what-is-software-engineering) - [Software Engineer Career: Things You Should Know](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/143-software-engineer-career-things-you-should-know) - [How software is steering vehicle technology](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/515-how-software-is-steering-vehicle-technology) - [What Jobs Can You Get with a Software Engineering Degree?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/398-what-jobs-can-you-get-with-a-software-engineering-degree) - [Is Software Engineering Hard?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/448-is-software-engineering-hard) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers)