Optical Metrology Engineer Jobs in Tucson, AZ (NOW HIRING)

Onto Innovation is a leader in process control, combining global scale with an expanded portfolio of leading-edge technologies that include: 3D metrology spanning the chip from nanometer-scale transistors to micron-level die-interconnects; macro defect inspection of wafers and packages; metal interconnect composition; factory analytics; and lithography for advanced semiconductor packaging. Our breadth of offerings across the entire semiconductor value chain helps our customers solve their most difficult yield, device performance, quality, and reliability issues. Onto Innovation strives to optimize customers' critical path of progress by making them smarter, faster and more efficient.

Job Summary & Responsibilities

Position Summary

The Senior Manufacturing Manager owns the day-to-day production of 4D Technology's laser interferometry instruments, leading a highly-skilled team of Manufacturing Engineers and Assembly Technicians who build precision optical systems to customer specification. The expectation is a hands-on operations manager who drives throughput, schedule attainment, and quality from the floor while developing the team to take on more complex builds.

The Senior Manufacturing Manager partners closely with Quality, Service, Purchasing, and Engineering on new product introduction. The role requires comfort with low-volume, high-mix, custom-build operations and an ISO 9001 quality environment.

Key Responsibilities

Manufacturing Operations

• Own the daily production schedule and ship-date attainment for customer system builds, accessories, and field returns and accessories.
• Allocate Manufacturing Engineers and Assembly Technicians across active jobs based on priority, skill, and shipment commitments; pivot the workforce as priorities change.
• Lead the morning standup, weekly materials and shipments meetings, and the bi-weekly tech meeting.
• Provide suggested ship dates to Sales based on parts availability, capacity, and engineering risk; coordinate forecast builds with the Sales Director.
• Maintain the rolling capacity plan in support of quarterly revenue commitments; participate in S&OP / SIOP cycles.
• Process work-order release, monitor work in progress, and ensure on-time transactions in Oracle ERP.

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead, coach, and develop Manufacturing Engineers, Assembly Technicians, and Lead Technicians; identify cross-training opportunities to expand build flexibility.
• Build and maintain a documented training matrix tied to specific instruments, assembly procedures, and tools.
• Drive technician progression on complex builds (large-aperture beam expanders, customer computer systems, accessories) so individual-contributor work that historically sat with management is fully owned by the team.
• Conduct performance reviews, succession planning, and hiring for the manufacturing team; manage time-off and shift coverage.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Engineering on New Product Introduction (NPI), engineering changes (ECs / ECOs), and prototype-to-production transitions; participate actively on the Change Control Board.
• Partner with the Master Planner / Buyer on long-lead-time items, BOM changes, and material readiness for scheduled jobs.
• Partner with the Quality Manager on root-cause analysis, CAPAs, NCMR closure, and ISO 9001 manufacturing compliance.
• Coordinate with the Service Manager on field issues that originate in production, FSE training timed to customer builds, and last-time-buy decisions for service spares.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive cycle-time and First-Pass-Yield (FPY) improvements on key build steps.
• Develop Pareto analyses of disruptions; lead 8D problem solving on recurring issues.
• Identify process, fixturing, and documentation improvements that reduce build variance and operator dependency.
• Maintain build playbooks and assembly travelers that support consistent execution by any qualified technician.

Compliance and Documentation

• Ensure manufacturing operations comply with the 4D Quality Management System (QMS) and ISO 9001 requirements.
• Ensure Device History Records (DHRs), assembly travelers, and final-tool qualification / validation documentation are complete and traceable.
• Support internal and external audits in coordination with the Quality Manager.

Key Performance Indicators

• On-time shipment to customer commit (OTD).
• Quarterly revenue attainment.
• Manufacturing cycle time on standard builds.
• First-pass yield on final-tool qualification.
• Daily and weekly schedule adherence.
• Manufacturing labor productivity index.
• Training matrix completion across the team.
• Safety incident rate.

Qualifications

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Optical, Electrical, or Manufacturing) or equivalent experience.

Experience

• 7-10 years in manufacturing of precision instruments, optical or photonic systems, scientific equipment, or comparable low-volume / high-mix builds.
• 3+ years leading a manufacturing team of engineers and skilled technicians.
• Demonstrated experience moving a team from heroic individual builds to repeatable, documented processes.
• Hands-on experience operating in an ISO 9001 (or AS9100, ISO 13485) certified environment, including ECO management, NCMR / CAPA, and audit support.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong understanding of optical assembly, alignment, and metrology; laser interferometry experience strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with MRP / ERP systems - Oracle ERP experience preferred - for work orders, inventory, and shipping transactions.
• Capacity planning, S&OP / SIOP participation, and rough-cut capacity analysis.
• Strong cross-functional communication; able to push back constructively on Sales, Engineering, and Service while protecting the schedule.
• Coaching and team development; experience building training matrices and progression paths for technicians.
• Comfortable on the floor - diagnoses build problems hands-on without becoming the builder.
• Familiarity with Kanban, lean manufacturing, and continuous improvement methodology.
• Conflict management and the ability to influence cross-functionally without direct authority.
• Adherence to company ethics, safety, and quality policies in all manufacturing activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• APICS / ASCM CPIM certification.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt.
• Direct experience with Oracle ERP manufacturing modules (BOM, WIP, inventory, shipping).
• Experience supporting Field Service Engineers (FSEs) and service-spares planning.
• Experience with cleanroom or controlled-environment precision-instrument manufacturing.

Working Conditions

• Primarily office-based with substantial daily presence on the manufacturing floor.
• Handling of precision optical components requiring cleanliness, dust control, and ESD awareness.
• Travel up to 10% for supplier visits, customer escalations, or trips to the corporate office in Milpitas.
• Standard business hours with flexibility around quarter-end shipment pushes and field escalations.
• Physical demands include occasional lifting up to 25 lbs; ability to operate a forklift is a plus.

Why Join Onto Innovation?

At Onto Innovation, we believe your work should matter-and so should your well-being. That's why we offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you and your family. From health, dental, and vision coverage to life and disability insurance, PTO, and a 401(k) with employer match, we've got you covered. You'll also enjoy access to our Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP), wellness initiatives, and cutting-edge tools-all within a collaborative, inclusive culture where your contributions are valued and recognized.

Compensation & Growth

Base Salary Range:

• Additional Rewards: Annual bonus opportunities and potential long-term incentives tied to both company and individual success.

Empowering Every Voice to Shape the Future:

Onto Innovation is committed to creating a workplace where every qualified candidate has an equal opportunity to succeed. We evaluate applicants based on skills, experience, and potential - without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We believe diversity of thought and background drives innovation and strengthens our team.

Important Note on Export Compliance

For certain positions requiring access to technical data, U.S. export licensing review may be necessary for applicants who are not U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, or other protected persons under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).