Senior Optical Systems Architect

MKS Instruments, Inc.; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with company match

Life and disability insurance

12 paid holidays

15 paid vacation days

Parental leave (6 weeks)

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

MKS Systems Irvine, part of MKS Instruments, is seeking a Principal Optical Engineer to lead the design and development of advanced optical systems. You will coordinate cross‑functional activities, architect complex optical paths, and drive beam propagation simulations and component selection.

The role requires 8+ years in optical product design, strong optics fundamentals, Zemax proficiency, and hands‑on optical alignment and metrology experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, or equivalent.
• 8+ years of optical product design experience.
• Proficiency in Zemax or equivalent optical design tools.
• Hands-on experience with optical alignment and metrology.
• Experience with system integration and opto‑mechanical hardware.

Responsibilities

• Architect and design complex optical paths and hybrid systems.
• Model beam propagation with industry tools.
• Define and select active and passive optical components.
• Lead integration with mechanical and electronic control systems.
• Oversee optics bench realization and testing.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams and suppliers to scale prototypes.

Skills

Optical design

Fiber optics

Beam propagation

Optical alignment

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Physics

Tools

Zemax

Job description

MKS Systems Irvine, part of MKS Instruments, is seeking a Principal Optical Engineer to lead the design and development of advanced optical systems. You will coordinate cross‑functional activities, architect complex optical paths, and drive beam propagation simulations and component selection.

The role requires 8+ years in optical product design, strong optics fundamentals, Zemax proficiency, and hands‑on optical alignment and metrology experience.