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Senior Technical Associate / Engineering Technician

MKS Instruments · Beaverton, OR

Level
Senior
Team
Manufacturing
Degree
Required (or equivalent experience)
Experience asked
6+ years
Industry
Industrial
Posted
Yesterday

The role in 30 seconds

A senior manufacturing role at MKS Instruments (industrial) in Beaverton, OR. Working closely with design engineers to improve product performance and reliability.

They ask for
6+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
Tools it names
Root cause, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), Automation
Day to day
some off-shift / weekend coverage

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026

Manufacturing Engineer roles in Oregon: typical posted base $90k–$120k.

Median of the low and high ends of 9 live postings that list pay, out of 36 manufacturing engineer openings in Oregon, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

Oregon plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 35 other live manufacturing postings in Oregon.

Base pay
Not listed in this posting

Typical $90k–$120k, from 9 postings that list pay.

Experience asked
More than usual (6+ vs 5+)

Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • ✓ Root cause 56%
  • ✓ Automation 42%
  • SPC 28%
  • Lean 25%
  • Robotics 22%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

It asks for 6+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Off-shift / weekend coverage

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

How to get in at this plant

Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.

  1. 1

    Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at MKS Instruments

    We found 1 person at this company and state: 1 in this kind of role. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓

  2. 2

    Send a short, curious note

    One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.

    Write to tham → (free)
  3. 3

    Turn a reply into a short call

    Questions worth asking about this team:

    • What does a normal week look like on your team?
    • Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
    • How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
    • How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
    • How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
  4. 4

    Apply with someone vouching for you

    If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.

  5. 5

    Bring proof to the interview

    One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.

This plant: MKS Instruments in Beaverton

2 other open roles at this site · 1 person we found in manufacturing roles at MKS Instruments.

Full description from MKS InstrumentsAs posted on their careers site.Show

Requirements

International travel may be required.

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.

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

Show full description ↓

A Day in Your Life at MKS

As a Technical Associate at MKS, you will partner with Engineering to help develop, build, test, and troubleshoot advanced laser-based, electro-mechanical, and precision motion control systems used in high-tech manufacturing applications. In this role, you will report to the Manufacturing Production Manager.

You Will Make an Impact By

· Building, integrating, testing, and troubleshooting prototype and pre-production systems.

· Supporting product development, validation, and sustaining engineering activities.

· Conducting engineering experiments and collecting performance data.

· Diagnosing electrical, mechanical, optical, and software-controlled system issues.

· Working closely with design engineers to improve product performance and reliability.

· Supporting Manufacturing and Field Service organizations with advanced technical problem solving.

· Documenting test results, procedures, and troubleshooting activities.

· Mentoring junior technicians and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives.

  • •Travel

Skills You Bring

· Associate degree in Engineering Technology, Electronics, Mechanical Technology, or equivalent technical experience.

· 6+ years of hands-on experience in an engineering, development, manufacturing, or service environment.

· Strong troubleshooting skills involving electrical, mechanical, and automated systems.

· Ability to read electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and mechanical drawings.

· Experience using laboratory and diagnostic equipment.

· Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Preferred Skills

· Semiconductor equipment & laser systems

· Precision motion control & optical alignment and testing

· Industrial automation and controls

· Root cause analysis and failure investigation

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

US requirement due to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). However, each country is different due to employment laws so HR Partner discretion is advised. See HR Partner with any questions.

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.].

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.

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