Senior Mechanical Engineer

A Day in Your Life at MKS

As a Senior Mechanical Engineer at Newport / MKS Instruments, you will partner with Irvine Systems Engineering (Product Engineering, Test & Measurement, Project Management, and Product Marketing), Systems Assembly, and NPO (shaping and coating) to plan, conceptualize, design, document, lead design reviews, submit Engineering Change Orders, procure and test high‑precision opto‑mechanical products, tooling, and fixtures. You will have the opportunity to work with a multi‑disciplined team supporting the design and documentation of new and existing products for the semiconductor fabrication industry, as well as deliver robust, repeatable fixturing and tooling used to manufacture high‑precision optics and optical assemblies.

In this role, you will report to the Irvine Central Mechanical Engineering manager.

• Utilize Solid Works to analyze, design, and document mechanical systems, equipment, fixturing, and packaging.
• Conduct feasibility studies and test new and modified designs, including RSS tolerance analysis and FEA.
• Manage multiple projects supporting different areas of product design and fabrication, cleaning, coating, and testing of optics and opto‑mechanical assemblies in a high‑paced production environment.
• Reverse engineer, model, document, procure, and assemble production equipment and tooling.
• Lead assigned tasks through the entire process of defining deliverables to implementation.
• May direct support personnel in preparation of detailed design, design testing, and prototype work.
• Travel: 0‑5% of travel required.

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering (or equivalent).
• 5+ years of experience in designing complex high‑precision opto‑mechanical components, tooling, fixtures, and/or systems incorporating robust and repeatable precision mechanisms.
• Familiarity with metal fabrication methods including CNC, lathe, and EDM.
• Competent with all aspects of Solid Works CAD software as a design and documentation tool.
• Ability to perform tolerance analysis to verify fit and function of designs.

• Experience with laser systems and optical components in a production environment.
• Experience with PDMWorks Vault and/or ZEMAX.
• Knowledge of motion control, optical power generation, and detection instrumentation.
• Strong communication, technical writing, project management, and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated success developing products in cross‑functional environments.

• Activities such as sitting, standing, or typing for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs.
• Requires good manual dexterity and coordination.
• Occasionally moves/positions objects up to 25 lbs.
• Must remain stationary 80% of the time.
• Frequently positions self to perform tasks and positions objects below, at, and above shoulder level.
• Must communicate information accurately.
• Operates in a professional office and/or laboratory/manufacturing environment.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery.
• Observes documents and details at close range.
• Dedicated to safety to mitigate hazards including handling mechanical and electrical hardware, high voltage, gas, water, and heat.
• Noise level in the work environment is usually average.

Salary Pay Range: $105,000–$130,000 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.

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

Benefits: MKS offers a comprehensive benefits 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, 6 weeks fully paid parental leave, adoption assistance, tuition reimbursement, and potential additional benefits such as stock programs and signing bonus.

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.