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Principal Optical Design Engineer

MKS Instruments


Job Location:

Irvine, CA - USA

Yearly Salary: $ 175000 - 195000
Posted: 22 August 2026 (17 hours ago)
Application Deadline: 19 November 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

The MKS Systems Business Unit develops and manufactures advanced optics optical assemblies subsystems and complete laser-based production systems. As aPrincipal Optical Design Engineerwithin 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 conceptthrough verification. Partnering with multidisciplinary teams you will turnsystem 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 anddevelopmentof high-precisionoptics and opticalsystems including complex multi-elementassembliessuch asscan lensesandobjectives

  • Translating system-level requirements into opticalarchitectures 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:

  • Bachelors 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 ZemaxOpticStudioand/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: $175000 - $195000 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 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:.

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


Required Experience:

Staff IC