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About the Role

Lead breakthrough innovation in holographic diffraction gratings that power demanding applications in spectroscopy, lasers, semiconductor manufacturing, space exploration, and scientific research. Collaborate with Engineering, Production, and Commercial teams to transform novel concepts into next-generation products.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and optimization of innovative holographic grating solutions using advanced optical modeling and simulation techniques.
• Apply tools such as RCWA, FEA, and physical optics methods to push boundaries in diffraction efficiency, wavefront quality, spectral performance, and manufacturability.
• Own the development and continual refinement of sophisticated interferometric exposure platforms.
• Design highly stable optical recording environments that enable precise, repeatable holographic fabrication while mitigating vibration, thermal effects, and environmental drift.
• Lead advanced cleanroom processes spanning substrate preparation, photoresist coating, holographic exposure, development, etching, and thin-film deposition.
• Transform breakthrough R&D concepts into scalable, robust manufacturing technologies.
• Utilize state-of-the-art characterization techniques to validate and improve grating performance.
• Leverage AFM, SEM, wavefront sensing, diffraction efficiency testing, and custom optical metrology systems to align fabricated structures with theoretical design intent.
• Serve as a leading scientific authority for holographic optics and grating fabrication.
• Develop patentable technologies, publish technical papers, influence technology roadmaps, and translate complex scientific concepts into actionable solutions for engineering, manufacturing, and customer-facing teams.
• Provide technical leadership across multidisciplinary teams, elevating scientific excellence and fostering a culture of innovation, curiosity, and continuous advancement.

Requirements

• PhD in Physics, Optical Sciences, Electrical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline strongly preferred.
• Technical expert with a record of impact in holographic diffraction grating fabrication.
• 12+ years of relevant scientific, research, and engineering experience, or an equivalent combination of advanced education, research accomplishments, publications, patents, and industry leadership.
• Expertise in physical optics, interferometry, and holographic recording materials (photoresists).
• Experience with tools like MATLAB or Python for data analytics, Zemax, Code V, or similar optical design software.
• Experience with photolithography, wet/dry etching, and thin-film deposition techniques.
• Understanding the physics and best practice of diffraction gratings.
• Experience utilizing wavefront sensors, custom Littrow efficiency benches, and advanced analytical tools like Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).
• General competency in thin-film and optical characterization.
• Reactive Ion Beam Etching (RIBE); replication techniques.
• Hands-on experience with AFM and SEM instrumentation.
• Laser-Induced Damage Threshold (LIDT) testing for high-power laser applications.

Skills

• Holographic diffraction gratings
• Optical modeling and simulation
• RCWA
• FEA
• Physical optics
• Interferometry
• Holographic recording systems
• Nanofabrication
• Cleanroom processes
• Substrate preparation
• Photoresist coating
• Holographic exposure
• Development
• Etching
• Thin-film deposition
• Precision metrology
• AFM
• SEM
• Wavefront sensing
• Diffraction efficiency testing
• Optical metrology systems
• MATLAB
• Python
• Zemax
• Code V
• Photolithography
• Wet etching
• Dry etching
• Littrow efficiency benches
• Reactive Ion Beam Etching (RIBE)
• Replication techniques
• Laser-Induced Damage Threshold (LIDT) testing

Location

• Richardson, TX

Work Type

• Full-time
• Onsite

Experience Level

• Senior Principal
• 12+ years

Education Level

• PhD

Salary/Compensations

• $155,250.00 - $210,000.00 per year

Benefits

• Discretionary annual bonus
• 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
• Tuition reimbursement
• Participation in stock programs
• Signing bonus

About the Company

• MKS is an equal opportunity employer.
• MKS is generally only hiring candidates who reside in states where we are registered to do business.
• Globally, our policy is to recruit individuals from wide and diverse backgrounds.
• 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.”
• 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 committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.

Equal Opportunity

• MKS is an equal opportunity employer, including disability, veteran status and all categories protected by law.
• MKS Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“MKS”) is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer: diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.
• We 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.