Senior Tunable Diode Laser Systems Engineer

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

Job summary

Spectra-Physics, the Lasers Business Unit of MKS Instruments, seeks a Senior Laser Engineer to advance tunable diode laser systems for OEM and semiconductor customers. You will contribute across the full product lifecycle, from R&D through production, collaborating with cross-functional teams on optical, electrical, and software integration.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in laser systems, system-level troubleshooting, and experience with diode/fiber/solid-state lasers.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Photonics, Mechanical Engineering, or related field and 5+ years of industry experience.
• Strong system-level troubleshooting, diagnostics, and root-cause analysis abilities.
• Hands-on experience with laser systems, photonics products, or electro‑optical instruments.

Responsibilities

• Support design, integration, testing, and qualification of laser products and subsystems. Perform system-level analysis to improve performance, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Lead engineering change activities during product transfer to production; create and maintain specifications, test procedures, validation reports, and work instructions.
• Lead structured root-cause investigations for product, manufacturing, and field failures; diagnose complex issues and implement CAPA based on data.
• Provide direct engineering support to manufacturing and operations; assist customer qualification, evaluation, and acceptance testing; communicate findings to customers and internal stakeholders.
• Approximately 10% travel may be required to support customers, suppliers, and manufacturing operations.

Skills

System-level troubleshooting

Root-cause analysis

Technical communication

Laser systems experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Optical, Electrical, Physics, Photonics, or Mechanical Engineering

Master’s or PhD in relevant engineering discipline

Tools

Python

MATLAB

LabVIEW

Zemax

Job description

Spectra-Physics, the Lasers Business Unit of MKS Instruments, seeks a Senior Laser Engineer to advance tunable diode laser systems for OEM and semiconductor customers. You will contribute across the full product lifecycle, from R&D through production, collaborating with cross-functional teams on optical, electrical, and software integration.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in laser systems, system-level troubleshooting, and experience with diode/fiber/solid-state lasers.