Senior Automation Process Engineer, Optics | MKS Instruments

Feb. 9, 2023

MKS Instruments
Irvine, CA
All Candidates Welcome
POC: Krista McEuen    krista.mceuen@mksinst.com 
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time type - Full time
posted on - Posted 8 Days Ago
job requisition id - R6682

Spectra-Physics, Ophir, Newport and ESI are brands within the MKS Instruments Photonics Solutions division. We provide a full range of solutions including lasers for precision industrial and scientific research applications, laser and LED measurement, beam profiling, precision motion control, optical tables and vibration isolation systems, photonics instruments, temperature sensing, opto-mechanical components, optical elements, and systems for flexible PCB laser processing, high-speed MLCC testing, and CO2-laser-based systems HDI PCB and IC substrate manufacturing. MKS Photonics Solutions enhance our customers’ capabilities and productivity in the semiconductor, advanced electronics and specialty industrial markets.

MKS Newport is a leader in photonics and is growing with the development and fabrication of high precision optics and opto-mechanical components. We provide solutions including precision motion control, optical tables and vibration isolation systems, photonic instruments, optical and opto-mechanical components. 

We are looking for an exceptional Senior Automation Process Engineer, who will work with a cross-functional team.

Our mission is to lead MKS on its journey to further automate the alignment and attachment of complex opto-mechanical assemblies.  You’ll work with an interdisciplinary team of optical, mechanical, manufacturing. process and software/test/electrical engineers and experts to design-in automation early on, to verify and validate the design during the conceptual and prototyping phases, and with manufacturing engineering to implement these into volume production.

You will:

  • Design, develop, and implement process solutions to automate the alignment, attachment, and test of optomechanical assemblies.

  • Participate in the development lifecycle of the product, from concept, to design, to production and find/propose ways to optimize its manufacturability through automation.

  • Define the process steps in collaboration with design, manufacturing and test engineers.

  • Generate process flows and diagrams so that the automated steps are easily and safely handled by production personnel.

  • In a very hands-on way, perform and validate the process steps in manual mode first and then provide a path toward automation.  Define process metrics and critical criteria for every step.

  • Maintain revision control of the source code using agile methods for feature and delivery planning.

What you bring to the team, along with your creativity is:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Optical, Mechanical, Automation Engineering, or related Engineering field.

  • 3+ years of experience in the development of laser optics and attachment technologies.

  • Demonstrated experience (Master’s level classes considered) with:

    • Active opto-mechanical alignment, attachment (using a mix of UV adhesive, laser welding or soldering technologies), and characterization/test of the system performance pre- and post-attachment with optimization methods to reduce cycle time and increase stability.

    • Experience with environmental qualification and reliability testing.

    • Using various instruments and controllers (lasers, power detectors, TECs, motorized stages, linear actuators).

    • Using cameras and/or laser beam profilers (CCD, CMOS) with image processing algorithms from a computer.

It’s also nice if you have:

  • An advanced degree - Master or Ph.D. in Physics, Optical, Mechanical, Automation Engineering, or related Engineering field.

  • Transferring manufacturing processes to production personnel.

  • Using and participating in defining User Interfaces (UI) with ease-of-use design in mind.

  • Exceptional written and oral communication skills.

  • Good understanding of optical and mechanical drawings, GD&T, tolerance analysis.

  • Demonstrated experience with automated:

    • Pick & place of optical components using motorized stages/actuators and machine vision.

    • Active alignment of optical components using motorized stages/actuators and laser metrology/image processing feedback.

  • Experience working with fiber optics and lasers, including diode lasers, solid-state lasers, and fiber lasers, from the UV to the NIR spectrum.

  • Experience with Statistical Process Control (SPC), and Lean Six-Sigma principles.

  • Expertise with 3D CAD modeling (Solidworks…).

  • Experience with optical simulation and analysis (MATLAB, MathCAD, Zemax…).

  • Experience with one or more common programming languages (ex. Python, C++)

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: $73,500 to 136,500 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, 11 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.]. 

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 Instruments, 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 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: accommodationsatMKS@mksinst.com .

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