Manufacturing Engineer

A Day in Your Life at MKS:

As a Manufacturing Engineer you will support and advance our diffraction gratings and precision optics manufacturing operations. This role is ideal for someone who wants to develop deep technical expertise while driving process improvement, automation, yield enhancement, and new product introduction.

You will work closely with Operations, Quality, R&D, and Engineering to design robust manufacturing processes that improve performance, reduce cost, and increase capacity in a highly technical production environment.

At MKS, our people are the driving force behind everything we do. We are innovators, problem-solvers, and collaborators who thrive on curiosity and continuous improvement. Our technologies enable breakthroughs across industries including semiconductor manufacturing, photonics, advanced optics, clean energy, space exploration, and next-generation communications.

• Develop, optimize, and sustain manufacturing processes for precision optics and photonics products
• Design and implement fixtures, tooling, automation concepts, and test methods to improve throughput, quality, and repeatability
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on yield improvement, scrap reduction, cycle time reduction, and capacity expansion
• Support new product introductions from development through full production ramp
• Create and maintain manufacturing documentation including work instructions, process flows, control plans, and validation protocols
• Establish and monitor process controls including SPC and mistake-proofing techniques
• Troubleshoot process, equipment, and quality issues using structured problem-solving methods
• Train and support production operators and technicians on new processes and improvements
• Collaborate cross-functionally to resolve technical challenges and implement long-term solutions

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering or related field
• 3 + years of manufacturing engineering experience (internships/co-ops included)
• Experience working in a production environment with process improvement responsibility
• Strong problem-solving skills and comfort working hands‑on on the manufacturing floor
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement tools
• Experience with CAD modeling tools (Solid Works or similar)
• Experience creating technical documentation and standard work
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools

• Experience in optics, photonics, semiconductors, precision manufacturing, or advanced materials
• Knowledge of SPC, process capability, and data-driven manufacturing control
• Exposure to automation, test systems, or LabVIEW
• Familiarity with DOE, FMEA, and root cause methodologies

Globally, our policy is to recruit individuals from wide and diverse backgrounds. However, certain positions 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. persons” are generally defined as U.S. citizens, noncitizen nationals, lawful permanent residents (or, green card holders), individuals granted asylum, and individuals admitted as refugees.

MKS Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“MKS”) is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer: diverse candidates are encouraged to apply. We win as a team and are committed to recruiting and hiring qualified applicants regardless of race, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), religion, age, ancestry, physical or mental disability or handicap, marital status, membership in the uniformed services, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law.

Hiring decisions are based on merit, qualifications and business needs. We conduct background checks and drug screens, in accordance with applicable law and company policies. MKS is generally only hiring candidates who reside in states where we are registered to do business.

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

If applying for a specific job, please include the requisition number (ex: "RXXXX"), the title and location of the role