As a Software Engineer at Onto Innovation, your day-to-day responsibilities will vary depending on your specific team and location, but they generally encompass several core engineering activities:

• Software Development and Architecture – You will design, code, test, and deploy high-quality software modules. This includes writing clean, object-oriented code in C#, developing robust APIs, and creating intuitive user interfaces for tool operators.
• Hardware-Software Integration – You will collaborate closely with electrical, mechanical, and systems engineers to integrate software with cutting-edge optical and metrology hardware. This involves writing driver interfaces, implementing control loops, and debugging hardware-software communication issues.
• Algorithm Implementation – You will implement and optimize mathematical and image-processing algorithms to analyze metrology data, detect surface defects, and calculate nanometer-scale dimensions.
• Continuous Improvement and Quality Assurance – You will participate in code reviews, write comprehensive unit and integration tests, and adopt modern software practices such as continuous integration (CI/CD) and automated testing to ensure the highest level of software reliability.
• Sustaining and Field Support – You will help troubleshoot complex software issues identified in the field, working with applications engineers and customer support teams to deliver patches and updates to global semiconductor fabrication plants.

To be highly competitive for a Software Engineer role at Onto Innovation, you should meet the following requirements:

• Must-have technical skills – Strong proficiency in C# and the .NET framework, solid understanding of Object-Oriented Design (OOD), and experience with multi-threaded programming.
• Nice-to-have technical skills – Experience with C++, Python, SQL, image processing libraries (such as OpenCV), control systems, and automated testing frameworks.
• Domain experience – Prior experience in semiconductor equipment manufacturing, metrology, industrial automation, robotics, or medical devices is highly advantageous.
• Education and Background – A Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
• Soft skills – Strong communication skills, a proactive attitude toward learning complex physical systems, and the ability to thrive in a cross-functional, highly collaborative global environment.

Q: How difficult are the technical interviews at Onto Innovation? A: The difficulty is generally rated as average. The technical questions are highly practical and focused on your actual coding ability, resume experiences, and software engineering fundamentals, rather than highly abstract, competitive-programming-style brainteasers.

Q: Do I need a background in semiconductors or metrology to get hired? A: No, it is not strictly required for all roles, but it is highly valued. If you do not have a semiconductor background, you can stand out by showing a strong interest in physical hardware, industrial automation, and demonstrating how your software engineering skills can be applied to complex physical systems.

Q: What is the company culture like for software engineers? A: The culture is highly collaborative, engineering-focused, and supportive. Teams are typically laid-back and knowledgeable, with an emphasis on taking engineering challenges seriously while maintaining a respectful and flexible working environment.

Q: How much preparation time should I plan for? A: Candidates typically spend one to two weeks preparing. Focus your time on brushing up on C# fundamentals, multi-threading, object-oriented design patterns, and practicing a few medium-level algorithm and data structure problems.

To maximize your chances of securing an offer at Onto Innovation, keep these insider tips in mind during your preparation and interview sessions:

• Highlight your hardware-adjacent projects: If you have ever worked on robotics, IoT, embedded systems, or software that controls physical devices, make sure this is prominent on your resume and discuss it during your interviews.
• Prepare for cross-functional panel dynamics: You may find yourself speaking with engineers from other departments, such as systems or applications engineering. Tailor your communication so that you can explain complex software architectures to non-software engineers.

• Show genuine curiosity about their tools: Take the time to research Onto Innovation's product lines, such as their metrology, inspection, and software analytics systems. Asking intelligent questions about how they manage data throughput or hardware calibration shows high motivation.

• Be clear about your career planning: During HR and manager screens, be prepared to discuss your long-term career goals and how a role at Onto Innovation fits into your trajectory. They look for stable, growth-oriented engineers who want to build a career in the industry.

A Software Engineer position at Onto Innovation offers a unique opportunity to work at the absolute cutting edge of technology. Your code will directly power the machinery and analytics that make modern microprocessors possible. By combining strong software fundamentals with an appreciation for physical systems and cross-functional collaboration, you can make a massive impact in this role.

As you prepare, focus on mastering your C# and .NET fundamentals, practicing structured problem-solving, and preparing clear examples of how you have solved complex technical challenges in the past. Approach your interviews with confidence, curiosity, and a collaborative mindset.

The salary data above outlines the competitive compensation ranges for engineering roles at Onto Innovation. When evaluating your offer or discussing salary expectations, consider how your specific level, geographic location, and technical specialization (such as algorithms or controls) align within these bands. For more detailed interview insights, company reviews, and preparation resources, you can explore additional candidate experiences on Dataford.