Senior Optical Engineer — Laser Systems R&D Leader

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

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.