MKS Instruments, Inc.

Senior PCB Test Engineer

MKS Instruments, Inc.$90K — $147K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering; Master's degree preferred.
  • 8+ years of experience in developing PCBA test programs in high-volume manufacturing.
  • Proficient in NI LabVIEW and NI TestStand; CLD certification preferred.
  • Ability to read schematics and create wiring diagrams; familiar with tools like PADS and Visio.
  • Expertise in quality screening and manufacturing defect detection methodologies.
  • Hands-on experience with laboratory test equipment such as oscilloscopes and multimeters.
  • Strong project planning skills in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

  • Design, develop, and document automated PCBA test systems for global deployment.
  • Create and support automated test applications using NI LabVIEW and TestStand.
  • Collaborate with contract manufacturers to implement testing processes that enhance production yield.
  • Verify and validate automated test systems before they are released to manufacturers.
  • Troubleshoot failures and identify areas for continuous improvement.
  • Analyze test data using statistical process control tools to boost yield.
  • Provide technical support and training using virtual/augmented reality tools across time zones.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision).
  • 401(k) plan with company match.
  • Life and disability insurance coverage.
  • 12 paid holidays and 15 vacation days annually.
  • 6 weeks of fully paid parental leave.
  • Adoption assistance and tuition reimbursement.
Full Job Description

As a Senior PCBA Test Engineer at MKS, you will partner closely with Engineering, Supply Chain, Contract Manufacturing partners, and internal stakeholders to design, develop, deploy, and support automated PCB assembly (PCBA) test systems used in high‑volume production environments. In this role, you will serve as both a development engineer and frontline technical expert, ensuring robust, repeatable test solutions that meet product quality, delivery, and customer requirements. You will report to the Manager, Test Engineering.

You Will Make an Impact By:

  • Designing, developing, and documenting automated PCBA test systems, including hardware, software, and mechanical fixtures, for deployment at global contract manufacturing sites
  • Developing and supporting automated test applications using NI LabVIEW and TestStand, including user‑friendly GUIs and test report generation
  • Working with PCBA contract manufacturers to implement AOI, ICT, and FCT to improve production yield and reduce PCBA rejection and scrap rates
  • Performing verification and validation of duplicate automated test systems prior to release to contract manufacturers
  • Troubleshooting Unit Under Test (UUT) failures, test system anomalies, and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement
  • Analyzing test data using statistical process control (SPC) tools to improve yield and product quality
  • Providing frontline technical support and remote assistance, including use of virtual/augmented reality tools, to support technician training and issue resolution across multiple time zones


Skills You Bring:

  • Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering is required; Master of Science in Electrical Engineering is preferred
  • 8+ years of experience developing PCBA functional test programs (hardware and software), ideally in a high‑volume manufacturing environment
  • Experience with NI LabVIEW and NI TestStand; CLD (Certified LabVIEW Developer) preferred
  • Ability to read electrical schematics and create wiring diagrams; experience using tools such as PADS and Visio
  • Expertise in PCBA quality screening, test coverage analysis, and manufacturing defect detection utilizing AOI, X-Ray, Flying Probe, ICT, Boundary Scan, Functional Test, and statistical quality methodologies
  • Hands‑on experience with laboratory test equipment, including multimeters, oscilloscopes, power supplies, waveform generators, and DAQ devices
  • Experience writing and reviewing test specifications and procedures
  • Strong project planning skills with the ability to manage multiple efforts simultaneously in a fast‑paced environment


Preferred Skills (Optional):

  • Familiarity with low‑noise analog and high‑speed digital PCB designs
  • Exposure to DFT (Design for Test) and DFM (Design for Manufacturing) principles
  • Experience analyzing test data using statistical tools such as Minitab
  • Vendor management or external design partner coordination experience

Supervisory Scope (Optional):

  • Reporting Relationships: Individual contributor role
  • Financial Responsibilities: None

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

  • Ability to work in laboratory and manufacturing environments
  • Occasional lifting of test fixtures and equipment
  • Use of standard laboratory tools and computer‑based development environments
  • Ability to support off‑hour troubleshooting calls as needed to support global manufacturing operations

Compensation and Benefits:
Salary Pay Range: $90,000.00 - $147,000.00 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.]. 

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.

#LI-RS1

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.

About MKS Instruments, Inc.

MKS Instruments, Inc. is a global provider of instruments, subsystems and process control solutions that measure, monitor, deliver, analyze, power and control critical parameters of advanced manufacturing processes to improve process performance and productivity for our customers. Our products are derived from our core competencies in pressure measurement and control, flow measurement and control, gas and vapor delivery, gas composition analysis, residual gas analysis, leak detection, control technology, ozone generation and delivery, RF & DC power, reactive gas generation, vacuum technology, photonics, sub-micron positioning, vibration isolation and optics. Our primary served markets include semiconductor capital equipment, general industrial, life and health sciences, research and defense.
Learn more about MKS Instruments, Inc.
Size
6,000 employees
Market Cap
$5.5 billion
Industry
Net Income
$350.1 million
5 Year Trend
+17.9%
Revenue
$2.3 billion
NASDAQ

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