Principal Mechanical Engineer
About the job
- A Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering is required.
- At least 8 years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience with flow.
- Working knowledge or at least an understanding of gas dynamic principles, including the Ideal Gas Law, Continuity Equation, Bernoulli's Principle, shock waves, and compressibility.
- Experience serving as the lead design engineer through a full phase-gate product development process from concept and feasibility through release to sales.
- Experience communicating complex topics to a range of technical audiences, in person or remotely.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, customer-first environment and shift primary focus while maintaining a secondary focus on existing work.
- Ability to perform extended periods of sitting, standing, or typing.
- Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
- Ability to work in professional, laboratory, and manufacturing environments.
- Dedication to safety when handling mechanical and electrical hardware, high voltage, gas, water, and heat.
- Partner with research and development, engineering, product management, applications, and customers to develop and support vacuum valves.
- Design and analyze mechanical systems, equipment, and packaging pertaining to gas flow control and measurement.
- Initiate and conduct feasibility studies and testing on new and modified designs.
- Direct support personnel in preparing detailed designs, design testing, and prototype fabrication as needed.
- Work with Marketing on specification development.
- Generate test plans to validate specifications and new functions, with a focus on risk up front.
- Conduct cost analysis, including working with Supply Chain to obtain quotes.
- Develop minimum viable product prototypes.
- Initiate and lead design reviews.
- Oversee product structuring and mechanical drawings.
- Work with Production to develop the manufacturing plan.
- Work with Reliability on design failure mode and effects analysis, design for excellence, life testing, and qualification.
- Submit deliverables and reports to the Project Manager.
- A Master's Degree in Engineering is preferred.
About the company
MKS Instruments provides instruments, subsystems, and process-control solutions for advanced manufacturing, serving sectors like semiconductor fabrication, electronics, and specialty industrial applications. Its products measure, monitor, and analyze key process parameters through components and fully integrated systems, with services such as system integration, custom engineering, and on-site commissioning and training. The company stands out through its vertically integrated model and broad portfolio, enabling end-to-end solutions and long-term customer relationships across multiple high-tech industries. Its goal is to help customers achieve higher quality and efficiency in manufacturing by delivering reliable technologies and comprehensive support.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Andover, Massachusetts
Founded
1961
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Q2 2026 revenue reached $1.25 billion, up 28%, with EBITDA margin 28.6%.
- Management said visibility extends through 2027, supported by NAND upgrades and AI server spending.
- August 2026 debt prepayment cut leverage while $611 million cash strengthened flexibility.
What critics are saying
- Long-term debt still hit $2.54 billion on June 30, 2026, constraining downturn resilience.
- China expansions in Guangzhou expose MKS to tariffs, export controls, and geopolitical retaliation.
- If AI wafer spending cools in 2027, facility utilization and margins compress fast.
What makes MKS Instruments unique
- June 2026 Malaysia Supercenter gives MKS 350,000 square feet near semiconductor customers.
- June 2026 Guangzhou expansion doubles Atotech equipment capacity for AI packaging demand.
- MKS spans vacuum, photonics, chemistry, and process control across 85% of fabs.
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Benefits
Paid Vacation
Paid Holidays
Paid Sick Leave
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 21%1 year growth
↑ 21%2 year growth
↑ 23%John Tseng-Chung Lee, president and chief executive officer of MKS Inc., sold 10,000 shares of common stock on 14 August 2026 for approximately $3 million, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing. The sale was conducted through a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan adopted in February 2026. Despite the sale, Lee retains a direct equity stake valued at $41.88 million in the company. The transaction occurred following a period of strong performance, with MKS delivering a 198% total return over one year ending 14 August 2026. MKS Inc. is a global technology company providing instruments and systems for process control, generating $4.3 billion in trailing twelve-month revenue and employing approximately 10,200 employees.
MKS Inc. reported second-quarter 2026 non-GAAP earnings of $3.30 per share, up 86.4% year over year, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 12.25%. Revenues rose 28.3% to $1.25 billion, surpassing consensus estimates by 3.06%. Growth was broad-based across all three end markets. Semiconductor revenues increased 28.2% to $554 million, while Electronics & Packaging revenues jumped 43.2% to $381 million. Specialty Industrial revenues rose 13.8% to $313 million. Adjusted EBITDA climbed 49.2% to $358 million, with margin expanding 390 basis points to 28.6%. Free cash flow reached $188 million, up from $136 million in the prior-year quarter. As of 30 June 2026, MKS had cash of $611 million and long-term debt of $2.54 billion.
MKS Inc. announced a $25 million expansion of its Atotech equipment manufacturing facility in Guangzhou, China. The project will add 323,000 square feet and double the site's production capacity, with completion expected before the end of the fourth quarter of 2027. The expansion aims to support the global AI build-out and targets sustained growth in markets related to AI, semiconductors, and advanced PCB applications. The expanded facility is anticipated to shorten lead times and enhance technical collaboration across Asia. BMO Capital initiated coverage of MKS Inc. with an Outperform rating and set a price target of $453. The firm believes the company is a leveraged beneficiary of the AI and data centre build-out.
MKS Inc. is investing $25 million to expand its Atotech equipment manufacturing site in Guangzhou, China, adding approximately 323,000 square feet of manufacturing and operations space. The expansion is expected to double the site's production capacity when completed in the fourth quarter of 2027. The investment aims to support sustained growth in AI-related markets, particularly semiconductor, advanced packaging and advanced PCB applications. The facility will enhance capabilities across production, assembly, logistics and testing whilst continuing to support research and development activities. The expanded site will incorporate a photovoltaic power system to supply daytime electricity demand. Once fully operational, the facility is expected to generate significant additional annual output, strengthening MKS' position in high-growth electronics markets across Asia.
MKS Inc. has raised its outlook following first-quarter results that met analyst expectations, with statutory earnings of $1.18 per share and revenues of $1.1 billion exceeding predictions by 3.1%. The semiconductor equipment maker's shares rose 7.4% to $313. Following the results, analysts significantly upgraded their forecasts. The consensus revenue estimate for 2026 increased to $4.79 billion, representing 18% growth, up from a previous forecast of $4.48 billion. Earnings per share estimates jumped 67% to $8.07, compared to the earlier projection of $6.43. Analysts also raised their price target 18% to $357 per share. The company is expected to achieve 24% annualised growth through 2026, substantially faster than its historical 7.3% rate and broadly in line with industry peers.