Staff R&D Scientist

Job Title

Staff R&D Scientist

Role Summary

Join the advanced metrology and analytics research team in Singapore to develop, prototype, validate, implement, and test AI-driven data analysis algorithms that improve optical metrology performance. Collaborate with R&D scientists, software engineers, application scientists, and product teams to productize research outcomes.

Experience Level

Senior; typically requires 7+ years of relevant R&D, algorithm development, machine learning, modelling, scientific computing, or semiconductor metrology experience.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include research, algorithm development, validation, and collaboration to deliver deployable solutions.

• Engage with application scientists, product management, and marketing to define customer requirements and technology gaps.
• Research and prototype machine learning and AI algorithms to address metrology challenges.
• Collect and analyze technical data, perform literature reviews, and propose new methodologies or improvements.
• Conceptualize, design, implement, benchmark, and validate algorithms for production readiness.
• Create clear software requirements and collaborate with software engineering for productization.
• Develop and execute test plans to verify algorithm performance, reliability, and deployment readiness.
• Present technical results to peers and senior management and contribute to the technology roadmap.
• Deliver solutions that create measurable value for customers and the business.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience; nice-to-have items listed at the end.

• 7+ years R&D or equivalent experience in algorithm development, machine learning, modelling, or scientific computing.
• Strong background in data analysis, machine learning, signal processing, estimation and optimization, statistics, and data visualization.
• Proficient in Python, MATLAB, C++, or similar; experience with scikit-learn.
• Proficiency in at least one deep learning framework (PyTorch, TensorFlow, or JAX).
• Experience building and deploying large-scale models for scientific or industrial products.
• Demonstrated ability to drive projects to completion with intellectual honesty and a sense of urgency.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for both technical audiences and senior management.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced iterative environment and within cross-functional teams.
• Willingness to travel up to 25%.
• Nice-to-have: semiconductor or manufacturing industry experience; experience with large language models, reinforcement learning, or generative AI.

Education Requirements

Ph.D. or Masters degree in Chemical Physics, Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Optics, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related field.

About the Company

Company: Onto Innovation

Headquarters: Wilmington, MA, United States

Onto Innovation develops process-control solutions for the semiconductor industry, offering optical inspection, 3D metrology, defect inspection, composition analysis, factory analytics, and lithography technologies to improve yield, performance, and reliability across the semiconductor value chain.