Principal Mechanical Engineer

MKS Instruments•Irvine, CA

9h•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to provide technical leadership for the Vibration Control Group, developing and sustaining precision vibration isolation and structural support products (optical tables, breadboards, platforms, isolators, and integrated customer solutions). You will own challenging mechanical designs from concept through release, guide verification and validation, and partner cross ‑ functionally with product management, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and sales to deliver high ‑ performance, manufacturable, and cost ‑ effective solutions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (or closely related engineering discipline) required
8+ years of progressive mechanical engineering experience in precision mechanical systems and vibration mitigation.
Demonstrated expertise in structural dynamics and vibration fundamentals (modal behavior, transmissibility, stiffness/damping tradeoffs) and applying them to real products.
Proficiency with 3D CAD (SolidWorks preferred) including GD&T, tolerance analysis, and creation/review of production ‑ ready drawings and BOMs.
Experience with analysis tools (ANSYS or equivalent) and test correlation; ability to select appropriate simplifications and validate assumptions.
Hands ‑ on prototyping and test experience: instrumentation, test planning, data analysis, and clear technical reporting.
Proven ability to lead technical workstreams, drive design reviews, and influence cross ‑ functional decisions without direct authority.
Strong problem ‑ solving and root ‑ cause analysis skills with a track record of closing issues in design and production environments.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate technical details for customers and internal stakeholders.
Customer ‑ facing experience (requirements clarification, technical reviews, issue resolution) strongly preferred; willingness to engage with customers is a must.
Comfort operating in a regulated/quality environment with disciplined configuration control and documentation practices.
Eligible to work in the United States.
Applicants for positions requiring access to controlled goods and technologies may need to be “U.S. persons.”

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Experience designing vibration isolation/support systems (optical tables, breadboards, pneumatic/electronic isolation, elastomeric systems) and/or precision welded structures.
Experience with PLM/ERP systems (Agile, SAP, etc.), and familiarity with cleanliness/non ‑ magnetic materials, vacuum compatibility, and RoHS/REACH considerations.

Responsibilities

Leading mechanical design of vibration control products and custom customer solutions, balancing performance, cost, schedule, and manufacturability.
Owning requirements definition and technical trade studies (stiffness, damping, modal behavior, load capacity, thermal effects, cleanliness/non ‑ magnetic constraints, vacuum compatibility as applicable).
Performing analysis and simulation (hand calcs, FEA, vibration/modal analysis) and correlating models to test data.
Defining and executing verification/validation strategies including prototype builds, characterization tests, environmental/vibration testing, and design reviews.
Serving as a technical authority and mentor, reviewing designs and coaching junior engineers/designers.
Driving technical risk management: proactively identifying failure modes, executing root ‑ cause investigations, and implementing corrective/preventive actions.
Maintaining complete engineering documentation (CAD, drawings, GD&T, BOMs, test plans/reports, compliance documentation) in accordance with MKS processes and PLM/ERP systems.
Collaborating cross ‑ functionally with product management and sales to support roadmap execution, technical customer engagements, and lifecycle management of existing platforms.
Ability to take and follow directions and instructions.
Ability to interact with other employees, customers, suppliers, vendors, or the public, in a safe, professional, and respectful manner.
Access to sensitive and confidential business systems and software, personally identifying information, the company’s financial information, and/or the ability to maintain physical security and safety.
Trustworthiness, reliability, and good judgment.