Principal Optical Manufacturing Engineer

A Day in Your Life at MKS:

As a Principal Manufacturing Engineer in the MKS Irvine Development Group, you will partner with Operations and the wider Engineering team to develop manufacturing and metrology methods for fabricating cutting‑edge optics. In this role, you will report to the Senior Manager of the Development Group.

• Develop, implement and maintain methods, operation sequences and processes in the manufacture or fabrication of optics, machined ceramic and glass components, and internal test stands.
• Interface with the operations team to coordinate the release of new products.
• Estimate manufacturing cost, determine time standards and make recommendations for tooling and process requirements of new or existing product lines.
• Maintain records and reporting systems for coordination of manufacturing operations.
• Lead brainstorming sessions, reviews, and cross‑departmental meetings to ensure collaboration and cohesion of designs as part of the NPI process.
• Apply lessons learned and develop standardized design and process criteria across all product lines.
• Travel: up to 5% of travel required.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Material Science, Chemistry, or a related field required;
  Master’s degree preferred.
• 5+ years of related experience, with optics fabrication and/or metrology development preferred.
• Strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills.

• Metrology experience with complex Fizeau interferometer setups.
• Hands‑on optical test experience.
• Familiarity with ZeMax, Python, and/or MATLAB.

Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States. We will not sponsor work visas for this position at this time.

Salary Pay Range: $115,000 to $180,000 per year. This range is a good faith estimate of the expected salary range for this position, based on a wide range of factors including qualifications, experience and training, operational and business needs and other considerations permitted by law. At MKS, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for this role.

Bonus:
This position is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, in an amount to be determined by MKS.

Benefits:
Comprehensive package including health insurance coverage (medical, dental and vision), 401(k) with company match, life and disability insurance, 12 paid holidays, sick time, 15 paid vacation days, six weeks fully paid parental leave, adoption assistance and tuition reimbursement. Additional benefits may include signing bonus or stock‑program participation as applicable.

MKS is an equal opportunity employer, including disability, veteran status and all categories protected by law. MKS will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act and the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers.

Globally, our policy is to recruit individuals from wide and diverse backgrounds. Certain positions may require access to controlled goods and technologies subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Applicants for these positions may need to be “U.S. persons” (U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, etc.).

MKS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process due to a disability, please contact us at ac