Principal Jobs in Irvine, CA
Principal jobs in Irvine, California draw steady demand from education, technology, and professional services employers concentrated in the Irvine Spectrum, Irvine Business Complex, and Woodbridge areas. Employers actively hiring include Edwards Lifesciences, Ventura Foods, and UC Irvine Health. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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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: $130,000 to $200,000 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.
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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
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Find Principal JobsPrincipal Job Market in Irvine
Who's Hiring
- Edwards Lifesciences86

- Ventura Foods65

- UC Irvine Health65

- MKS43

- Diality43

Top Industries Hiring
- Education
Principal Jobs in Irvine: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a principal job in Irvine?
The strongest path into a principal role in Irvine is through the city's large K-12 public school network, its cluster of private and charter schools, and the Irvine Unified School District, which is one of the most active local employers for this role. Technology and professional services firms in the Irvine Spectrum corridor also hire principals for leadership and consulting functions. Candidates with site leadership experience, a strong record in their discipline, and familiarity with Orange County's education or corporate landscape have a clear edge here.
Which companies hire principals in Irvine?
Employers hiring principals in Irvine right now include Edwards Lifesciences, Ventura Foods, and UC Irvine Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Irvine's employer base is a mix of large public school systems, private institutions, and corporate offices across technology, healthcare, and financial services.
Are there remote principal jobs in Irvine?
Yes, though remote availability depends heavily on the type of principal role. Campus-based and site leadership positions are almost always on-site, while consulting, curriculum, and technology-focused principal roles are more likely to offer flexibility. About 82% of principal openings tied to Irvine are remote or hybrid as of September 2026. The most remote-compatible roles in Irvine tend to be with technology firms and professional services companies in the Irvine Spectrum area.
How can I get a principal job in Irvine with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Irvine is through assistant principal or department lead roles within the Irvine Unified School District or nearby Orange County charter networks, where internal promotion is common. On the corporate side, firms in the Irvine Spectrum hire associate principal and senior consultant roles that develop into principal-level positions. Gaining experience with Irvine's strong STEM and college-prep environment, or with the technology and life sciences employers based locally, makes candidates significantly more competitive for promotion.
Which industries hire the most principals in Irvine?
Irvine principal roles concentrate in Education, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Irvine's density of top-ranked public schools, private institutions, and a large corporate campus ecosystem across technology and life sciences drives consistent demand across these sectors.
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