Senior Optical Engineer: Laser System Design & Testing

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance (medical, dental, and

401(k) with company match

Paid holidays and vacation

Job summary

MKS Inc. is seeking a Senior Optical Engineer in Milpitas to contribute to next-generation laser systems for free-space and fiber applications.

You will join a cross-functional engineering team, defining test strategies, assembling and validating prototypes, and communicating results clearly to peers and management. The role requires hands-on experience with optical alignment, laser cavity design, and optical measurement techniques, plus the ability to work independently in a multidisciplinary

Qualifications

• BS degree or higher in optics, physics or related field; 4+ years industry experience or MS/PhD as applicable.
• Hands-on alignment of free-space beams and optical cavities for CW and pulsed lasers.
• Experience with diode-pumped pulsed solid-state lasers and amplifiers.

Responsibilities

• Engineer laser oscillators, amplifiers and harmonic modules through experiments and modeling.
• Define test strategies, document data and create design reports for the team.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical and software teams to advance optical system development.
• Design and benchmark optical components, assess test instrumentation and procedures.
• Conduct feasibility studies and support prototype fabrication and testing.
• Assist in preparation of detailed design and testing documentation.

Skills

Free-space beam alignment

Optical cavity alignment

Diode pumped lasers

Q-switch laser cavities

Opto-electronic measurement procedures

Multi-disciplinary teamwork

Education

BS/MS/PhD in related field

Tools

Gaussian beam propagation tools (ReZonator, Paraxia)

Ray-tracing software (ZEMAX, FRED)

Python for automation

Job description

MKS Inc. is seeking a Senior Optical Engineer in Milpitas to contribute to next-generation laser systems for free-space and fiber applications.

You will join a cross-functional engineering team, defining test strategies, assembling and validating prototypes, and communicating results clearly to peers and management. The role requires hands-on experience with optical alignment, laser cavity design, and optical measurement techniques, plus the ability to work independently in a multidisciplinary