Senior Laser Engineer

MKS Instruments; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 112,000 - 186,000; Full time

Job summary

Spectra-Physics, the Lasers Business Unit of MKS Instruments, seeks a Senior Laser Engineer to advance tunable diode laser systems for OEM and semiconductor customers. You will contribute across the full product lifecycle, from R&D through production, collaborating with cross-functional teams on optical, electrical, and software integration.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in laser systems, system-level troubleshooting, and experience with diode/fiber/solid-state lasers.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Photonics, Mechanical Engineering, or related field and 5+ years of industry experience.
• Strong system-level troubleshooting, diagnostics, and root-cause analysis abilities.
• Hands-on experience with laser systems, photonics products, or electro‑optical instruments.

Responsibilities

• Support design, integration, testing, and qualification of laser products and subsystems. Perform system-level analysis to improve performance, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Lead engineering change activities during product transfer to production; create and maintain specifications, test procedures, validation reports, and work instructions.
• Lead structured root-cause investigations for product, manufacturing, and field failures; diagnose complex issues and implement CAPA based on data.
• Provide direct engineering support to manufacturing and operations; assist customer qualification, evaluation, and acceptance testing; communicate findings to customers and internal stakeholders.
• Approximately 10% travel may be required to support customers, suppliers, and manufacturing operations.

Skills

System-level troubleshooting

Root-cause analysis

Technical communication

Laser systems experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Optical, Electrical, Physics, Photonics, or Mechanical Engineering

Master’s or PhD in relevant engineering discipline

Tools

Python

MATLAB

LabVIEW

Zemax

Job description

A Day in Your Life at MKS:

Spectra-Physics is the Lasers Business Unit of MKS Instruments. We have an excellent opportunity for a Senior Laser Engineer to join our innovative product development engineering team and contribute to the development, improvement, and lifecycle management of advanced laser systems. In this role, you will work primarily with low-power continuous-wave (CW), single-frequency, tunable diode laser systems supporting OEM and semiconductor customers, with both free-space and fiber-based configurations. You will have the opportunity to work across the full product lifecycle, from end-to-end R&D design and new product introduction (NPI) through production and sustaining engineering, while collaborating with cross-functional teams to solve complex technical challenges and support customer needs. You will work with electro-optical systems involving diode lasers, optics, electronics, thermal management, software, and precision opto-mechanical assemblies. While the primary focus of this role is tunable diode laser technology, there is also an opportunity to contribute to other products within the Spectra-Physics portfolio, including ultrafast laser technologies. Strong system-level engineering skills, practical problem-solving ability, and excellent interpersonal and communication skills are essential for success in this role.

You Will Make an Impact By:

• Supporting the design, integration, testing, and qualification of laser products and subsystems. Perform system-level analysis (optical, electrical, thermal, mechanical, and software interactions) to improve performance, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Participate in design and drive engineering change activities during product transfer to production, create and maintain engineering documentation, including specifications, test procedures, validation reports, and work instructions.
• Lead structured root-cause investigations for product, manufacturing, and field failures, diagnose complex technical issues and analyze reliability, yield, and performance data to identify trends and implement corrective actions (CAPA).
• Provide direct engineering support to manufacturing and operations teams. Support customer qualification, evaluation, and acceptance testing activities, investigate customer-reported issues and communicate technical findings to customers and internal stakeholders.
• Approximately 10% travel may be required to support customers, suppliers, and manufacturing operations.

Skills You Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Photonics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline and 5+ years of industry experience.
• Strong system-level troubleshooting, diagnostic skills, and experience with root-cause analysis methodologies.
• Hands-on experience developing, testing, integrating, manufacturing, or supporting advanced laser systems, photonics products, or electro-optical instruments, working with advanced laser laboratory equipment and optoelectronic test instrumentation.
• Strong written and verbal technical communication skills; comfortable presenting to cross-functional teams and customers.

Preferred Skills:

• Master's degree or PhD in relevant engineering discipline Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Photonics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline and 2+ years of industry experience.
• Experience with diode, fiber, solid-state, or tunable laser systems.
• Experience characterizing laser performance, stability, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Experience supporting manufacturing, NPI, and sustaining engineering.
• Familiarity with reliability and quality frameworks (FMEA, DOE, SPC, ISO 9001).
• Experience using engineering automation and modeling tools (e.g., Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or Zemax).

Compensation and Benefits:

Salary Pay Range: $111,850 to $186,400 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 [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.].

MKS is an equal opportunity employer, including disability, veteran status and all categories protected by law. Please review our EOE statements for additional details.

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.

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: [e-mail].