Principal Test Engineer

MKS Instruments; Wilmington (DE); On-site; USD 110,000 - 183,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with company match

Life and disability insurance

12 paid holidays

Vacation days

Job summary

MKS Instruments is seeking a Principal Test Engineer to lead particle metrology activities across development, manufacturing, and quality teams. You will oversee the particle metrology lab, ensure cleanroom compliance, and drive continuous improvements in testing capabilities and safety.

You will serve as the technical authority on contamination control, method development, and debugging complex laboratory issues, reporting to the Director of Advanced Development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline.
• 8+ years of experience managing complex labs.
• Extensive experience operating particle metrology, contamination control, or analytical lab equipment.
• Demonstrated expertise in cleanroom operations and laboratory safety management.
• Experience developing, validating, and documenting test methods and measurement procedures.
• Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis related to lab equipment and contamination.

Responsibilities

• Lead particle testing, characterization, and analysis to support development and reliability programs.
• Manage day-to-day operations of the particle metrology lab and ensure uptime and accuracy.
• Maintain and calibrate particle counters, metrology systems, and cleanroom infrastructure.
• Develop and validate test methods and standards for repeatable results.
• Provide technical authority on contamination control and cleanroom compliance.
• Support engineering labs, test stations, and test setup with robust plans.

Skills

Particle metrology

Cleanroom operations

Troubleshooting

Cross-functional leadership

Technical reporting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline

Tools

Particle counters

Metrology systems

Laboratory instrumentation

Job description

A Day in Your Life at MKS:

As a Principal Test Engineer at MKS Inc., you will partner with Engineering, Product Development, Advanced Development, Manufacturing, Quality, Operations, and Customers to execute particle testing, provide technical leadership for particle metrology activities, and ensure the reliable operation of the particle metrology laboratory, cleanroom environment, and engineering labs. You will serve as the subject matter expert for particle measurement technologies, laboratory methods, and contamination control while driving continuous improvement in testing capability, safety, and operational excellence. In this role, you will report to the Director of Advanced Development.

You Will Make an Impact By:

• Leading particle testing, characterization, and analysis activities supporting product development, manufacturing, customer investigations, and reliability programs.
• Managing day-to-day operations of the particle metrology laboratory, ensuring testing capabilities are available, accurate, and operating at peak performance.
• Maintaining laboratory equipment, particle counters, metrology systems, cleanroom infrastructure, and supporting systems to maximize uptime and reliability.
• Developing, validating, and continuously improving test methods, procedures, and laboratory standards to ensure accurate and repeatable results.
• Serving as the technical authority for contamination control, particle generation studies, cleanliness verification, and failure investigations.
• Supporting engineering labs, test stations, test set-up, and test plans.
• Ensuring compliance with cleanroom protocols, laboratory safety requirements, environmental regulations, and company policies.
• Leading equipment qualification, preventive maintenance, calibration programs, and laboratory expansion initiatives.
• Collaborating with engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams to identify root causes, solve complex contamination challenges, and improve product performance.

• Travel Requirements: Up to 10% of travel is required.

Skills You Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of experience managing complex labs
• Extensive experience operating and maintaining particle metrology, contamination control, or analytical laboratory equipment.
• Demonstrated expertise in cleanroom operations, contamination control practices, and laboratory safety management.
• Experience developing, validating, and documenting test methods and measurement procedures.
• Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills related to laboratory equipment, instrumentation, and contamination-related issues.
• Proven ability to lead technical projects and influence cross-functional teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including technical reporting and presentation of test results.

Preferred Skills: (Optional)

• Experience supporting semiconductor capital equipment, vacuum systems, gas delivery systems, plasma products, or advanced manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of ISO cleanroom standards, contamination control methodologies, and particle measurement technologies.
• Experience with statistical data analysis, Design of Experiments (DOE), and measurement system analysis.
• Experience managing laboratory budgets, capital equipment planning, and vendor relationships.
• Familiarity with automated data acquisition systems and laboratory information management systems (LIMS).
• Experience mentoring engineers, technicians, and laboratory personnel.

Supervisory Scope: (Optional)

• Reporting Relationships: May provide technical leadership and direction to engineers, technicians, contractors, and laboratory support personnel.
• Financial Responsibilities: Responsible for laboratory equipment investments, maintenance expenditures, calibration programs, and operational budgets associated with the particle metrology laboratory.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

• Ability to work within ISO-classified cleanroom environments while following gowning and contamination control procedures.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and perform laboratory activities for extended periods.
• Ability to occasionally lift and move equipment, instruments, and materials up to 50 pounds.
• Frequent operation of laboratory instruments, particle detection equipment, and analytical systems.
• Regular exposure to laboratory and manufacturing environments requiring adherence to safety protocols and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment and ensuring compliance with laboratory, cleanroom, and environmental health and safety procedures.
• Availability to respond to critical laboratory equipment failures or facility issues to minimize disruption to testing operations.

Compensation and Benefits:

Salary Pay Range : $ 109,750.00 - 182,900.00 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.

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

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 and tuition reimbursement [and for participation in any stock programs, signing bonus, etc.

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.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

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: [e-mail]