Entry Level Photonics Engineer Jobs

A Day in Your Life at MKS

As a Technical Content Specialist - Photonics at MKS, you will collaborate closely with Product Management, Engineering, Sales, and Corporate Marketing to create high‑quality, technically accurate content that showcases our photonics solutions and supports customer understanding. You will be responsible for developing engaging technical materials that help communicate the value, performance, and applications of our products. This onsite role is based at our Irvine, California facility, and you will report to the Senior Manager, Technical Content Marketing within the Strategic Marketing organization.

You Will Make an Impact By:

• Developing clear, accurate, and compelling technical content such as application notes, product descriptions, white papers, technical guides, and educational resources.
• Partnering with engineers, scientists, and product managers to gather technical insights and translate them into customer‑focused messaging.
• Supporting content needs for product launches, marketing campaigns, and lifecycle materials across multiple channels.
• Ensuring all content aligns with brand standards, technical accuracy, and regulatory or compliance guidelines.
• Helping maintain content libraries and documentation processes for version control, consistency, and cross‑functional accessibility.
• Collaborating with the marketing and creative teams to support multimedia content such as diagrams, videos, and animations.
• Using analytics and stakeholder feedback to refine and improve content effectiveness over time.

Skills You Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Optics, Photonics, or a related technical field.
• 2–4 years of relevant experience in technical writing, content development, or technical marketing within photonics, optics, lasers, or other high‑technology sectors.
• Strong ability to convert complex technical information into clear, engaging content for both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Experience collaborating with technical subject‑matter experts and cross‑functional teams.
• Proficiency with content management systems, digital marketing tools, and basic analytics platforms.
• Excellent written communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Preferred Skills:

• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in Photonics, Physics, Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Hands‑on experience working with photonics systems, optics setups, lasers, or related instrumentation.
• Familiarity with visual content development (diagrams, schematics, or basic multimedia editing).
• Experience supporting product launches or global marketing campaigns.
• Understanding of SEO and digital content best practices.
• Strong organizational and project‑tracking skills in a fast‑paced, matrixed environment.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

• Standard office environment with extended periods of computer use.
• Occasional travel to trade shows, internal sites, or customer locations may be required.
• Ability to participate in meetings, interviews, and collaborative workshops across global teams.

While Irvine, CA is the preferred location for this position, we are open to considering candidates based in Beaverton, OR or Rochester, NY.

This position offers flexibility to work 3 days per week onsite and 2 days from your home office.

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 - $120,000 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.

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.].

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 is generally only hiring candidates who reside in states where we are registered to do business.

MKS will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act for Employers.

#LI-EKI

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: accommodationsatMKS@mksinst.com .

If applying for a specific job, please include the requisition number (ex: RXXXX), the title and location of the role