Principal Optical Design Engineer

The MKS Systems Business Unit develops and manufactures advanced optics, optical assemblies, subsystems, and complete laser-based production systems. As a Principal Optical Design Engineer within our Central Engineering organization in Irvine, CA, you will serve as a technical authority in the design and development of high-precision optical systems. 

You will lead complex optical designs from concept through verification. Partnering with multidisciplinary teams, you will turn system requirements into robust, manufacturable optical solutions. 

The Principal Optical Design Engineer reports to the Director of Engineering, Laser and Optics. 

You Will Make an Impact By: 

• Leading the design and development of high-precision optics and optical systems, including complex multi-element assemblies, such as scan lenses and objectives  

• Translating system-level requirements into optical architectures, designs, and specifications  

• Performing optical modeling, tolerancing, sensitivity analysis, error budgeting, and trade studies to achieve demanding performance requirements  

• Partnering with optical systems, mechanical, electrical, laser, manufacturing, and other engineering teams to integrate optical designs into complete systems  

• Driving designs through fabrication, precision assembly, alignment, metrology, integration, and performance verification  

• Working with suppliers and manufacturing teams to ensure designs are practical, manufacturable, and scalable  

• Providing technical leadership through design reviews, feasibility studies, troubleshooting, and data-driven engineering decisions  

• Mentoring engineers and serving as a technical authority in optical design and system development  

• Travel Requirements: Up to 10%  

Skills You Bring: 

• Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Optics, Physics, or a related technical discipline; advanced degree preferred  

• 8+ years of relevant industry experience designing and developing high-precision optical systems, with demonstrated technical leadership at a senior/principal level 

• Proven experience independently designing and optimizing complex optical systems, rather than primarily integrating or testing designs developed by others  

• Advanced proficiency with Zemax OpticStudio and/or CODE V  

• Strong experience with optical tolerancing, sensitivity analysis, and error budgeting  

• Experience taking optical designs through fabrication, assembly, alignment, integration, and verification  

• Understanding of optical fabrication, metrology, and design for manufacturability  

• Experience with lasers and laser-based optical systems strongly preferred  

• Strong communication, technical leadership, and problem-solving skills 

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

• Office and laboratory work is required, with regular work in a cleanroom environment. Wearing of Personal Protective Equipment as well as cleanroom garb is required
• Must be able to lift, move, or position equipment up to 35 pounds while working in a laboratory environment
• Noise level in the laboratory environment can temporarily be elevated, but does not typically require PPE

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: $175,000 - $195,000 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. 

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Globally, our policy is to recruit individuals from wide and diverse backgrounds. However, certain positions require access to controlled goods and technologies subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Applicants for these positions may need to be “U.S. persons.” “U.S. persons” are generally defined as U.S. citizens, noncitizen nationals, lawful permanent residents (or, green card holders), individuals granted asylum, and individuals admitted as refugees.

MKS Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“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. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process due to a disability, please contact us at: [email protected] .

If applying for a specific job, please include the requisition number (ex: RXXXX), the title and location of the role