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Senior Mechanical Engineer

MKS Instruments Inc

Irvine, CAFull-time$115–155K/yrSeen todaySeen in employer's feed today

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At a glance

Compensation
$115–155K/yr
Location
Irvine, CA
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Bachelor's degree, required

Job overview

The Senior Mechanical Engineer will join MKS Instruments’ Irvine Central Mechanical Engineering Team, supporting design and documentation of products for the semiconductor fabrication industry. The role develops high-precision opto-mechanical products, production tooling, and fixtures, and works with engineering, assembly, and manufacturing teams. It includes feasibility studies, testing, project leadership, and engineering change processes. The position requires a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and at least five years of related design experience.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

NX, requiredSolidWorks, requiredTolerance Analysis, requiredMetal Fabrication, requiredCNC Machining, requiredLathe Machining, requiredEDM, requiredProduct Development Process, requiredECO Process, requiredLaser Systems, nice to haveOptical Components, nice to haveOptics Mounting, nice to haveFinite Element Analysis, nice to haveANSYS, nice to havePDMWorks Vault, nice to haveZEMAX, nice to haveStatics, nice to haveVibration Analysis, nice to haveMaterial Selection, nice to haveKinematic Mounting, nice to haveMotion Control, nice to haveOptical Power Generation, nice to haveDetection Instrumentation, nice to haveCommunication, nice to haveTechnical Writing, nice to haveProject Management, nice to haveAnalytical Skills, nice to haveCross-Functional Product Development, nice to haveHigh-Precision Opto-Mechanical Components, nice to have

Qualifications

Bachelor's in Engineering, required5+ Years Related Design Experience, required

Benefits

Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
401(k) Match
Paid Time Off
Parental Leave
Tuition Assistance

Full job description

Irvine, CA

Full time

R22442

A Day in Your Life at MKS:

As a Senior Mechanical Engineer at MKS Instruments, Irvine Systems, and a member of the Irvine Central Mechanical Engineering Team, you will partner with; Irvine Systems Engineering {Product Engineering, Test & Measurement, Project Management, and Product Marketing}, Systems Assembly, NPO {shaping and coating} to; plan, conceptualize, design, document, lead design reviews, submit Engineering Change Orders, procure and test high precision opto-mechanical products, tooling and fixtures. You will have the opportunity to work with a multi-disciplined team supporting the design and documentation of new and existing products for the semiconductor fabrication industry, as well as deliver robust, repeatable fixturing and tooling used to manufacture high precision optics and optical assemblies. In this role, you will report to the Irvine Central Mechanical Engineering manager.

You Will Make an Impact By:

  • Utilizing NX and SolidWorks to analyze, design and document mechanical systems, equipment, fixturing, and packaging

  • Conducting feasibility studies and testing new and modified designs including RSS Tolerance analysis and FEA

  • Manage multiple projects supporting different areas of product design and fabrication, cleaning, coating, and testing of optics and opto-mechanical assemblies in a high paced production environment

  • Design to Deliver Opto-Mech (optical-mechanical) Fixturing & Tooling for production equipment {Reverse engineer, Design, model, design review, document, procure and assemble, validate}

  • Lead assigned tasks through the entire process of defining deliverables to implementation

  • Updating documentation (typically CAD drawings), submitting ECOs

  • Travel Requirements: 0-5% of Travel is required.

Skills You Bring:

  • Requires a Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree

  • 5 or more years of related experience in the design of; tooling, fixtures and/or systems incorporating robust and repeatable precision mechanisms.

  • Familiarity with metal fabrication methods including CNC, lathe, and EDM required.

  • Familiarity with Product Life Cycle: Product Development Process and ECO Process

  • Competent with all aspects of both NX and SolidWorks CAD software as design and documentation tools.

  • Ability to perform tolerance analysis to verify fit and function of designs

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience with laser systems, optical components, and optics mounting in a production environment.

  • Working knowledge of FEA. Any experience with ANSYS, PDMWorks vault and / or ZEMAX is a plus.

  • A balance of engineering analytical skills {statics, vibration, material selection, kinematic mounting, combined with hands-on experiences and a proven track record of bringing multiple metrology tools in production environment.

  • Familiarity with motion control, optical power generation and detection instrumentation is a plus

  • Strong communication skills, technical writing skills, project management skills and analytical skills

  • Demonstrated success developing products in cross-functional environments

  • Experience with complex high-precision opto-mechanical components.

A Day in Your Life at MKS:

As a Principal Mechanical Engineer at Newport / MKS Instruments, you will partner with; Irvine Systems Engineering {Product Engineering, Test & Measurement, Project Management, and Product Marketing}, Systems Assembly, NPO {shaping and coating} to; plan, conceptualize, design, document, lead design reviews, ,define, execute, and summarize FEA analysis including Structural-Thermal-Optical Performance and sensitivity, submit Engineering Change Orders, procure and test high precision opto-mechanical products, tooling and fixtures. You will have the opportunity to work with a multi-disciplined team supporting the design and documentation of new and existing products for the semiconductor fabrication industry, as well as deliver robust, repeatable fixturing and tooling used to manufacture high precision optics and optical assemblies. In this role, you will report to the Irvine Central Mechanical Engineering manager.

You Will Make an Impact By:

  • Utilizing ANSYS to define, execute, and summarize FEA analysis including Structural-Thermal-Optical Performance (STOP) and sensitivity analysis.

  • Utilizing NX and SolidWorks to analyze, design and document mechanical systems, equipment, fixturing, and packaging

  • Conducting feasibility studies and testing new and modified designs including RSS Tolerance analysis and FEA

  • Manage multiple projects supporting different areas of design such as product and production support, fabrication, cleaning, coating, and testing of optics and opto-mechanical assemblies in a high paced production environment

  • Reverse engineer, model, document, procure and assemble production equipment and tooling

  • Lead assigned tasks through the entire process of defining deliverables to implementation

  • May direct support personnel in the preparation of detailed design, design testing, and prototype

  • Travel Requirements: 0-5% of Travel is required.

Skills You Bring:

  • Requires a Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree

  • 7 or more years of related experience in the design of; tooling, fixtures and/or systems incorporating robust and repeatable precision mechanisms.

  • 5 or more years of related experience in FEA analysis with iterative design feedback

  • Competent with ANSYS FEA software as a design analysis tool

  • Familiarity with metal fabrication methods including CNC, lathe, and EDM required.

  • Competent with all aspects of both SolidWorks and NX CAD software as design and documentation tools.

  • Ability to perform tolerance analysis to verify fit and function of designs for DFM/DFA.

  • Able to mentor Junior to senior level engineers with engineering analysis, mechanical design, and project deliverables.

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience with Laser systems and precision optical components in a production environment is a plus.

  • Understanding of optical design and software such as ZEMAX is a plus.

  • Experience with; SolidWorks PDM vault, Agile, and SAP would be a plus

  • A balance of engineering analytical skills {statics, vibration, material selection, kinematic mounting, combined with hands-on experiences and a proven track record of bringing multiple metrology tools in production environment.

  • Familiarity with motion control, optical power generation, and detection instrumentation is a plus

  • MS degree or equivalent advanced training is a plus

  • Strong communication skills, technical writing skills, project management skills and analytical skills

  • Demonstrated success developing products in cross-functional environments

  • Experience with complex high-precision opto-mechanical components.

  • Strong experience in DFMEA; must be able to identify and assess risk as well provide mitigations as needed.

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: $115,000 to $155,000 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.

#LI-EK1

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

At MKS, it's all about courage, big ideas, and a serious passion for innovation. Winning here is about exploring possibilities, taking action , and solving our customers’ toughest challenges. It's not just a job – it's what you make of it. While you shape your role and make it unique, we invest in you with on-the-job and formal training, as well as educational assistance. Curiosity is key at MKS - ask questions, own your path.

Our success comes from celebrating the unique skills, diverse perspectives, and lived experience of employees from over 100 countries. The goal is to make sure that everyone feels that they belong. Diversity isn't just a nice-to-have; making sure everyone feels included is a big deal for us.

Our group of ~10,000 employees serves semiconductor manufacturing, electronics and packaging, and specialty industrial markets. With over 3,800 patents, our products are enabling advancements in 5G, renewable energy & storage, artificial intelligence, cloud technology, and big data. We're the behind-the-scenes support for some amazing technology.

MKS Inc., enables technologies that transform our world. MKS Inc, Product Overview (https://www.mks.com/mam/celum/celum\_assets/resources/MKSProductOverview-DS.pdf)

How this job compares

Set against the 7,319 open Mechanical Engineer jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 12, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$115–155K/yr
  • California median$126–180K/yr960 salary ranges
  • US median$104–160K/yr4,410 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $135K, is 12% below the California median midpoint ($154K) — in the middle half of Mechanical Engineer salary ranges in California.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 1,209 open Mechanical Engineer jobs in California and 7,319 across the US. 3% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in California
Experience
This posting asks for at least 5 years of experience; Mechanical Engineer postings that state a minimum ask for 5 years at the median (6,170 postings).
Education
This posting asks for a bachelor's degree; 5,016 of the 7,319 open Mechanical Engineer jobs (69%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 12, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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