Principal Mechanical Engineer

MKS Inc.; Methuen (MA); On-site; USD 126,200 - 210,350; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance (medical, dental, and

401(k) with company match

Life and disability insurance

12 paid holidays

Sick time

15 paid vacation days

Fully paid parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

MKS is seeking a seasoned engineer to develop and support vacuum valves, collaborating cross-functionally across product management, manufacturing, supply chain and applications. You will lead design, testing, and production transfer through the PDP, mentoring junior staff and ensuring high reliability.

The role requires hands-on prototype work, 3D CAD modeling, and strong analytical skills in mechanical, thermal, and vacuum domains, with up to 10% travel and an onsite work environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Engineering is required.
• 8+ years of relevant work experience.
• Experience with 3D CAD modeling (SolidWorks preferred).
• Experience with manual and FEA analysis.
• Demonstrated strengths in Vacuum Technology.
• Experience with mechanical fabrication techniques (machining, welding, brazing, sheet metal).
• Technical experience in product development and manufacturing.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Product management, applications engineering and customers to develop innovative solutions for complex engineering challenges.
• Work within engineering to ideate, design and prototype through production via PDP.
• Mentor engineers and technicians in UHV principles and troubleshooting methods.
• Develop test plans for engineering performance and reliability.
• Design test fixtures and equipment for product performance and evaluation.
• Create specifications, perform analyses, and produce detailed 3D drawings.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and operations to ensure designs are manufacturable and reliable.
• Ensure products meet quality, performance, and regulatory requirements through testing and design verification.
• Travel up to 10% of time.

Skills

Vacuum technology

3D CAD modeling

FEA analysis

Strong communication

Teamwork

Manufacturing experience

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Ansys

SolidWorks Simulation

Job description

A Day in the Life at MKS:

In this role, you will partner with all aspects of the business; product management, manufacturing, supply chain and applications to develop and support a broad range of vacuum valves. Activities range from focused development of new designs, defining and operating performance tests, hands on approach to building initial minimal viable products (MVP) and driving successful concepts through to production via the product development process (PDP). This is an onsite position within this dynamic and growing division.

In this role, you will partner with all aspects of the business; product management, manufacturing, supply chain and applications to develop and support a broad range of vacuum valves. Activities range from focused development of new designs, defining and operating performance tests, hands on approach to building initial minimal viable products (MVP) and driving successful concepts through to production via the product development process (PDP). This is an onsite position within this dynamic and growing division.

You Will Make an Impact By:

• Partnering directly with Product management, applications engineering and customers to understand application requirements to develop innovative solutions for complex engineering challenges.
• Working closely within the engineering team in the process of ideation, design and development through prototype production with a focus on Vacuum Valve Development
• Mentor engineers and technicians in UHV principles, design approaches, contamination control, and troubleshooting methods.
• Developing test plans for engineering performance and reliability.
• Participating in design of test fixtures and equipment for product performance and evaluation
• Responsible for specification development, analysis, 3D modeling, and creation of detailed engineering drawings.
• Experience with tools such as Ansys, SolidWorks Simulation or other to perform mechanical, thermal and fluid analysis
• Collaborate with manufacturing and operations teams throughout the product development, launch, and scale-up to volume production to ensure designs are manufacturable and reliable.
• Ensuring all products meet quality standards, performance expectations, and regulatory requirements through thorough testing, validation, and design verification processes.
• Travel Requirements: up to 10% of travel may be required.

Skills You Bring:

• Bachelor of Science, or Master of Science in Engineering.
• 8 or more years of relevant work experience.
• Experience with 3D CAD modeling (SolidWorks preferred)
• Experience with manual and FEA analysis
• Demonstrated Strengths in Vacuum Technology
• Experience with mechanical fabrication techniques (machining, welding, brazing, sheet metal)
• Technical experience in product development and manufacturing.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Semiconductor manufacturing equipment
• Experience designing vacuum valves and/or flow control components for High/UHV systems
• Experience or exposure to CNC programming and tools
• Experience with High / Ultra High vacuum and equipment
• Proficiency with vacuum instrumentation (RGA, He leak detectors, pressure gauges, thermocouples)

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

• Perform activities such as sitting, standing, or typing for extended periods of time
• Regularly requires good manual dexterity and coordination
• Occasionally moves/positions objects up to 20 lbs.
• Operates in a professional office and/or laboratory/manufacturing environment
• Dedication to safety to mitigate hazards, including handling vacuum systems, mechanical hardware, and associated laboratory equipment

Salary Pay Range: $126,200.00 - $210,350.00 USD 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 the role.

Bonus: This position is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, in an amount 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, fully paid parental leave, adoption assistance, and tuition reimbursement.

Equal Opportunity Employer: MKS is an equal opportunity employer, including disability, veteran status, and all categories protected by law. MKS is generally only hiring candidates who reside in states where we are registered to do business.