Senior Optical Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid holidays

Paid vacation days

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

MKS Instruments in Milpitas, CA is seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to join our Spectra-Physics laser product team, contributing to next-generation free-space and fiber laser systems. You will work with cross-functional teams to define tests, prototype, and document outcomes for production transfer.

You will collaborate with mechanical, electrical and software groups, define measurement procedures, and apply optical modelling tools to guide design decisions and improve system performance.

Qualifications

• BS degree with 4+ years in the field or MS/PhD with relevant experience.
• Hands-on free-space beam and optical cavity alignment for CW/pulsed lasers.
• Experience with diode-pumped pulsed solid-state lasers and amplifiers.
• Experience with opto-electronic measurement procedures and data communication.
• Ability to work with cross-functional teams and communicate conclusions clearly.

Responsibilities

• Engineer laser oscillators, amplifiers and harmonic modules through experimentation.
• Define test strategies, build, test and document data on prototypes.
• Interact with mechanical, electrical and software teams to support optical system development.
• Specify and qualify optical components, benchmark performance models and implement tests.
• Support design teams in detailed design, testing and prototype fabrication.

Skills

Free-space beam alignment

Optical cavity alignment

Q-switch laser cavities

Acousto-optic modulators

Electro-optic modulators

Pulse selectors

Opto-electronic measurement procedures

Self-directed work

Team collaboration

Education

BS degree in related field

MS/PhD in related field

Tools

Gaussian beam propagation tools

ZEMAX / FRED

ReZonator / Paraxia

SNLO

MATLAB

Python

Job description

A Day in Your Life at MKS:

As a Senior Optical Engineer at at Spectra-Physics, you will join our innovative laser product development engineering team to contribute to the next generation design and engineering solutions for free-space and fiber-based laser systems. You will work collaboratively within a project team and use your communication skills to work effectively with cross-functional team members.

You Will Make an Impact By:

• Engineering laser oscillators, amplifiers and harmonic conversion modules through experimentation and modeling into innovative products that solve our customers most pressing challenges
• Defining test strategies, building, testing and documenting technical data on system prototypes, creating reports, and design documentation for the product development team
• Interacting with mechanical, electrical and software design teams to assist in overall development of the optical systems. May require device-level expertise
• Contributing to design of optical systems by specifying, selecting and qualifying active and passive optical components, developing and benchmarking system performance models, developing and implementing test procedures, and evaluating and selecting appropriate test instrumentation
• Conducting feasibility studies and testing on new and modified designs
• Supporting design team members in the preparation of detailed design, design testing and prototype fabrication

Skills You Bring:

• BS degree and 4+ years industry experience MS with 2+ years of industry experience or PhD in related field
• Hands-on experience in free-space beam and optical cavity alignment for CW and pulsed laser systems
• Hands-on experience with diode pumped pulsed solid-state lasers and amplifiers components. Experience with Q-switch laser cavities
• Hands-on experience with operating and characterizing acousto-optic and electro-optic modulators and pulse selectors
• Ability to independently define opto-electronic measurement procedures, set up and perform the measurements, evaluate the results and clearly communicate the conclusions to peer engineers and management
• Ability to work self-directed and as part of a multi-disciplinary team

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with optical measurement instruments: beam parameters analyzers, power meters, auto-correlators, fast opto-electronics, oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers and spectrometers, scanning interferometers
• Laser Cavity modelling and laser dynamics
• Proven experience in product development and ability to transfer the design to production, with an emphasis on manufacturability and product life-cycle
• Experience with Gaussian beam propagation software tools (ReZonator, Paraxia and/or others)
• Familiarity with ray-tracing analysis software (ZEMAX, FRED and/or others)
• Hands-on experience with harmonic generation and nonlinear crystals (SHG, THG, SFG) and modelling basic harmonic processes using SNLO, Matlab and/or other suitable software tools
• Experience with automated measurement and control methods (Python

We are interested in a qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we will not be sponsoring work visas for this position, at this time.

Compensation and Benefits:

Salary Pay Range: $111,8500 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 aff