Senior Optomechanical Packaging Engineer

MKS 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 parental leave

Adoption assistance

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

MKS Inc. is seeking an Optomechanical Packaging Engineer to lead the development of advanced optical and optoelectronic packaging solutions for photonics and optical communication test systems.

You will design, integrate, and qualify precision optical assemblies, focusing on active alignment, automation, motion control, and reliable production-ready packaging.

Qualifications

• BS, MS, or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, Mechatronics, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience developing optomechanical or photonic products.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Design precision optomechanical assemblies for fiber optics, photodiodes, laser sources, and photonic integrated circuits.
• Define optical and mechanical tolerances and alignment budgets.
• Lead development of active alignment processes and integrate motion stages.
• Develop packaging architectures optimizing optical performance, manufacturability, reliability, and cost.
• Coordinate with optical, electrical, and manufacturing engineers throughout the lifecycle.
• Perform failure mode and root-cause analysis and qualification planning.

Skills

Advanced degree

8+ years experience

Optomechanical design

Active alignment

Automation systems

Motion control

Tolerance analysis

Optical packaging

Product lifecycle

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in related field

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. 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.