Senior Optomechanical Packaging Engineer

MKS Instruments, Inc.; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 102,000 - 169,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

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

Tuition reimbursement

Stock programs / signing bonus

Job summary

MKS Instruments, Inc. in Milpitas, CA is seeking an Optomechanical Packaging Engineer to lead advanced optical packaging for photonics and test systems.

You will design, integrate, automate, and qualify precision optical assemblies, including photodiodes, fiber-coupled devices, and PICs, emphasizing active alignment and scalable production. You will work across optics, mechanics, electronics, manufacturing, automation, and reliability disciplines to translate prototypes into robust production

Qualifications

• BS/MS/PhD in Mechanical/Optical/Physics/Mechatronics or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in optomechanical or photonic products.
• Hands-on optical alignment and precision packaging experience.
• Experience with automated manufacturing or assembly systems.
• Knowledge of motion control and precision positioning tech.
• Experience supporting products from concept through production release.
• Strong laboratory troubleshooting and debugging skills.

Responsibilities

• Design precision optomechanical assemblies for fiber optics and PICs.
• Develop packaging architectures optimizing performance, stability, and cost.
• Define optical/mechanical tolerances and alignment budgets.
• Lead active alignment processes and integrate fine positioning systems.
• Collaborate across optical, electronics, and manufacturing teams.
• Generate work instructions and production documentation.
• Support simulations and correlate with measurements.

Skills

Mechanical Eng

Optical Eng

Photonic packaging

Active optical alignment

Automated manufacturing

Motion control

Tolerance analysis

Optical packaging challenges

Production release support

Lab troubleshooting

Education

BS/MS/PhD in Mechanical/Optical/Physics/Mechatronics

Tools

Piezo stages

Nanopositioners

Linear motors

Servo systems

Precision encoders

Job description

A Day in Your Life at MKS: As an Optomechanical Packaging Engineer at MKS, you will lead the development of advanced optical and optoelectronic packaging solutions for next-generation photonics and optical communication test systems. The successful candidate will be responsible for the design, integration, automation, and qualification of precision optical assemblies, including photodiodes, fiber-coupled devices, optical receivers, laser sources, and photonic integrated circuits (PICs). Emphasis will be placed on active alignment processes, automated assembly equipment, motion control systems, optical packaging architectures, and long-term product reliability. This role requires a hands-on engineer capable of working across optics, mechanics, electronics, manufacturing, automation, and reliability disciplines to transform laboratory prototypes into scalable production products.

You Will Make an Impact By:

• Design precision optomechanical assemblies for fiber optics, photodiodes, laser sources, and photonic integrated circuits.
• Develop packaging architectures and optics that optimize optical performance, mechanical stability, thermal performance, manufacturability, reliability, and cost.
• Define optical and mechanical tolerances and alignment budgets.
• Develop packaging solutions for fiber-to-chip coupling, fiber-to-photodiode coupling, free-space optical systems, laser and detector integration, and multi-channel optical assemblies.
• Work closely with optical, electrical, and manufacturing engineers throughout the product lifecycle.
• Lead development of active alignment processes for optical and optoelectronic assemblies.
• Select and integrate piezo stages, nanopositioners, linear motors, servo systems, and precision encoders.
• Optimize system accuracy, repeatability, throughput, and robustness.
• Support integration of optical metrology and machine vision feedback systems.
• Perform failure mode and root-cause analysis.
• Define qualification plans including thermal cycling, temperature and humidity testing, mechanical shock and vibration, life testing, and accelerated aging.
• Support regulatory and customer qualification activities.
• Generate work instructions, assembly procedures, and production documentation.
• Support finite element and multi-physics simulations as required.
• Model packaging-induced optical performance impacts.
• Correlate simulation results with experimental measurements.

Travel Requirements

Up to 10% of Travel is required.

Skills You Bring

• BS, MS, or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, Mechatronics, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience developing optomechanical or photonic products.
• Strong experience in precision optomechanical design.
• Hands-on experience with active optical alignment processes.
• Experience developing automated manufacturing or assembly systems.
• Knowledge of motion control systems and precision positioning technologies.
• Experience with tolerance analysis and mechanical design.
• Strong understanding of optical packaging challenges and solutions.
• Experience supporting products from concept through production release.
• Strong laboratory troubleshooting and debugging skills.

Preferred Skills

• Experience packaging photodiodes, lasers, optical receivers, optical transceivers, or photonic integrated circuits (PICs).
• Experience with optical communication products.
• Experience developing automated active alignment stations.
• Experience with machine vision systems and robotic assembly equipment.
• Familiarity with fiber-attach and photonic packaging processes.
• Experience with epoxy, solder, eutectic, or laser-welding attachment methods.Experience with reliability qualification standards such as Telcordia, MIL, or IEC.
• Familiarity with statistical process control and yield analysis.
• Experience working with external packaging houses and manufacturing partners.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

Work in an office and laboratory environment. Lift laboratory equipment up to 20 lbs. 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: $101,675 to $169,475 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.

Bonus: This position is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, in an amount to be determined by MKS [or as applicable].

• 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.

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.

Our group of about 10,000 employees serves semiconductor manufacturing, electronics and packaging, and specialty industrial markets. With over 3,800 patents, our products are enabling advancements in 5G, renewable energy & storage, artificial intelligence, cloud technology, and big data. We're the behind-the-scenes support for some amazing technology. MKS Inc., enables technologies that transform our world. MKS Inc, Product Overview