Manufacturing Engineer

MKS Instruments • Rochester, NY

40d

About The Position

As a Manufacturing Engineer you will support and advance our diffraction gratings and precision optics manufacturing operations. This role is ideal for someone who wants to develop deep technical expertise while driving process improvement, automation, yield enhancement, and new product introduction. You will work closely with Operations, Quality, R&D, and Engineering to design robust manufacturing processes that improve performance, reduce cost, and increase capacity in a highly technical production environment. At MKS, our people are the driving force behind everything we do. We are innovators, problem-solvers, and collaborators who thrive on curiosity and continuous improvement. Our technologies enable breakthroughs across industries including semiconductor manufacturing, photonics, advanced optics, clean energy, space exploration, and next-generation communications.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering or related field
• 3 + years of manufacturing engineering experience (internships/co-ops included)
• Experience working in a production environment with process improvement responsibility
• Strong problem-solving skills and comfort working hands-on on the manufacturing floor
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement tools
• Experience with CAD modeling tools (SolidWorks or similar)
• Experience creating technical documentation and standard work
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools

Nice To Haves

• Experience in optics, photonics, semiconductors, precision manufacturing, or advanced materials
• Knowledge of SPC, process capability, and data-driven manufacturing control
• Exposure to automation, test systems, or LabVIEW
• Familiarity with DOE, FMEA, and root cause methodologies

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and sustain manufacturing processes for precision optics and photonics products
• Design and implement fixtures, tooling, automation concepts, and test methods to improve throughput, quality, and repeatability
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on yield improvement, scrap reduction, cycle time reduction, and capacity expansion
• Support new product introductions from development through full production ramp
• Create and maintain manufacturing documentation including work instructions, process flows, control plans, and validation protocols
• Establish and monitor process controls including SPC and mistake-proofing techniques
• Troubleshoot process, equipment, and quality issues using structured problem-solving methods
• Train and support production operators and technicians on new processes and improvements
• Collaborate cross-functionally to resolve technical challenges and implement long-term solutions

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level