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Thin Film Engineer

MKS Instruments
Irvine, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 8/7/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 9/6/2026
A Day in Your Life at MKS:
As a Thin Film Engineer at MKS Newport, you will partner with Thin Film Coating to design, develop, manufacture and test optical surface treatments. In this role, you will report to the Director of Thin Film Engineering.

You Will Make an Impact By:
  • Developing, designing and optimizing optical surface treatments and processes to meet requirements and specifications, for ion beam sputtering, ion assist and electron beam coating processes, surface etching and/or photolithography for our Thin Film Coatings group
  • Characterizing equipment and processes to reduce downtime
  • Identifying root causes of defects, implementing corrective actions to address those issues, and continuously promoting improvement, quality and cost
  • Supporting the team with process documentation and formalizing work instructions
  • Supporting the coating process through training technicians and machine maintenance personnel

Skills You Bring:
  • Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Physics or Engineering with 2 years of in-depth experience in a thin film manufacturing environment
  • Interest in troubleshooting and problem solving
  • Strong communication skills
  • Proficiency using Microsoft Excel & PowerPoint

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:
  • Remain in a stationary position for 30% of the time
  • Constantly operate a computer and other office productivity machinery
  • Occasionally moves/positions up to 10 pounds
  • Operate in a professional office and laboratory environment

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: $80,000 to $100,000 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, s), 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

Salary : $80,000 - $100,000

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