Senior Principal Scientist - Holographic Systems and Grating Fabrication

Position: Senior Principal Research Scientist, Holographic Systems & Grating Fabrication, MKS Newport’s Richardson Gratings

A Day in Your Life at MKS:
As a Senior Principal Research Scientist, you will help shape the future of advanced photonics, leading breakthrough innovation in holographic diffraction gratings that power applications in spectroscopy, lasers, semiconductor manufacturing, space exploration, and scientific research. You will collaborate with Engineering, Production, and Commercial teams to transform novel concepts into next-generation products, from designing sophisticated grating architectures to driving cutting‑edge fabrication processes in cleanroom facilities.

• Lead the design and optimization of innovative holographic grating solutions using advanced optical modeling and simulation techniques (RCWA, FEA, physical optics). Push boundaries in diffraction efficiency, wavefront quality, spectral performance, and manufacturability.
• Own the development and continual refinement of sophisticated interferometric exposure platforms. Design highly stable optical recording environments that enable precise, repeatable holographic fabrication while mitigating vibration, thermal effects, and environmental drift.
• Lead advanced cleanroom processes spanning substrate preparation, photoresist coating, holographic exposure, development, etching, and thin‑film deposition. Transform breakthrough R&D concepts into scalable, robust manufacturing technologies.
• Utilize state‑of‑the‑art characterization techniques (AFM, SEM, wavefront sensing, diffraction‑efficiency testing, custom optical metrology) to align fabricated structures with theoretical design intent.
• Serve as a leading scientific authority for holographic optics and grating fabrication: develop patentable technologies, publish technical papers, influence technology roadmaps, and translate complex scientific concepts into actionable solutions.
• Provide technical leadership across multidisciplinary teams, elevating scientific excellence and fostering a culture of innovation, curiosity, and continuous advancement.

Up to 10%.

• PhD in Physics, Optical Sciences, Electrical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline (strongly preferred).
• 12+ years of relevant scientific, research, and engineering experience, or an equivalent combination of advanced education, research accomplishments, publications, patents, and industry leadership.

• Physical optics, interferometry, and holographic recording materials (photoresists).
• Advanced cleanroom operations: photolithography, wet/dry etching, and thin‑film deposition techniques.
• Metrology: wavefront sensors, custom Littrow efficiency benches, AFM, and SEM.

• Experience with MATLAB or Python for data analytics, Zemax, CodeV, or similar optical design software.

• Reactive Ion Beam Etching (RIBE) and replication techniques.
• Hands‑on experience with AFM and SEM instrumentation.
• Laser‑Induced Damage Threshold (LIDT) testing for high‑power laser applications.

• Salary Pay Range: $155,250 – $210,000 per year.
• Discretionary annual bonus.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) with company match, life and disability insurance, 12 paid holidays, sick time, 15 paid vacation days (6 weeks fully paid parental leave), adoption assistance, tuition reimbursement, and potential participation in stock programs or signing bonuses.

MKS is an equal opportunity employer, including disability, veteran status and all categories protected by law. Certain positions may require access to controlled goods and technologies subject to ITAR/EAR; applicants may need to be U.S. persons. Please review our EOE statements for additional details.