Senior Optical Engineer

MKS Instruments; United States; On-site; USD 112,000 - 186,000; Full time

Job summary

MKS Instruments is seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to join our laser product development team. You will contribute to next-generation free-space and fiber-based laser systems, working with cross-functional engineers to design, test, and optimize optical assemblies.

You will lead experiments, develop models, and document results to support production transfer while collaborating with mechanical, electrical, and software groups.

Qualifications

• BS degree in a related field with hands-on laser experience or MS/PhD with strong laser research background.
• Hands-on experience with free-space beam and optical cavity alignment for CW and pulsed lasers.
• Experience with diode-pumped pulsed solid-state lasers and amplifiers, including Q-switch cavities.
• Ability to define opto-electronic measurement procedures and communicate conclusions clearly.

Responsibilities

• Engineer laser oscillators, amplifiers, and harmonic modules through testing and modeling.
• Define test strategies; build, test, and document data on prototypes.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and software teams to advance optical systems.
• Specify and select active/passive components; benchmark performance models.
• Conduct feasibility studies and test new or modified designs.
• Support design teams in detailed design, testing, and prototype fabrication.

Skills

Free-space beam alignment

Optical cavity alignment

Q-switch laser cavities

Acousto-optic and electro-optic modul

OP measurement procedures

Self-directed team collaboration

Education

BS degree in related field

MS with 2+ years of industry experience

PhD in related field

Tools

ReZonator

Paraxia

ZEMAX

FRED

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
• Experiencewith 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.

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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].

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