IPG Photonics is revolutionizing the laser industry as the pioneering developer and leading producer of fiber lasers and amplifiers. Headquartered in Marlborough, MA, IPG has over 4,800 employees in more than 30 locations around the world. We aspire to work together with our employees and customers to apply light in ways that improve life.
Our mission is to develop innovative laser solutions to make the world a better place. To accomplish this mission, we are committed to attracting and retaining the best talent and an engaged and thriving workforce that drives a sustainable future for our company and society.
Working at IPG Photonics you can expect challenging projects, a motivating and friendly environment, and working hand-in-hand with skilled teams of software and hardware engineers.
Job Summary
We are seeking a highly experienced engineer with a strong foundation in chemistry to lead contamination control and manufacturing process development for deep-ultraviolet (DUV) laser systems. This role requires deep expertise in photochemistry, surface chemistry, and contamination mechanisms that impact the performance, reliability, and lifetime of DUV optical systems. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience diagnosing and mitigating chemically driven degradation in high-energy UV environments.
This is a technically demanding role with significant influence on materials selection, manufacturing process development, and long-term system reliability.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and advance contamination control strategies for DUV laser manufacturing
- Analyze and mitigate photochemical and surface-driven degradation mechanisms affecting optics, coatings, crystals, and surrounding materials
- Evaluate and select materials, including polymers, metals, adhesives, coatings, solvents, and cleaning agents for compatibility with deep-UV exposure
- Develop and qualify cleaning, passivation, and handling processes based on chemical and surface-science principles
- Lead root-cause analysis of DUV-induced failures and contamination-related issues
- Model and experimentally validate contamination transport, adsorption/desorption, and photo-induced reactions in DUV environments
- Collaborate closely with R&D teams to translate laboratory-scale DUV solutions into robust manufacturing processes
- Define contamination-control specifications, cleanliness requirements, and acceptance criteria
- Support supplier qualification, engagement, and audits related to chemical cleanliness and material compatibility
- Mentor junior engineers and serve as a subject-matter expert in DUV contamination control and chemistry
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field
- Deep understanding of photochemistry, surface chemistry, and molecular contamination under deep-UV irradiation
- Proven experience identifying and resolving contamination-driven performance or lifetime limitations in optical or laser systems
- Strong knowledge of organic and inorganic contamination sources, outgassing, adsorption/desorption, and UV-induced chemical reactions
- Experience working in contamination-sensitive environments such as cleanrooms or precision optics manufacturing
- Familiarity with cleaning processes, contamination-control methods, and handling procedures for optical and laser components
- Hands-on experience with DUV systems operating at 266 nm or shorter wavelengths in manufacturing, process engineering, or applied research environments
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to connect chemical mechanisms to system-level behavior
- Experience with Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
- Experience with surface-analysis and contamination-diagnostics tools
- Proficiency in Statistical Process Control (SPC) methodologies and statistical analysis software
- Background in reliability engineering for DUV optical systems preferred
- Experience defining cleanliness standards for high-energy UV or photolithography-related applications preferred
MA: $112,436-$148,978
Skills Required
- Advanced degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field
- Deep understanding of photochemistry, surface chemistry, and molecular contamination under deep-UV irradiation
- Proven experience identifying and resolving contamination-driven performance or lifetime limitations in optical or laser systems
- Experience working in contamination-sensitive environments such as cleanrooms
- Hands-on experience with DUV systems operating at 266 nm or shorter wavelengths
IPG Photonics Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about IPG Photonics and has not been reviewed or approved by IPG Photonics.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — An Employee Stock Purchase Plan offers a 15% discount with a lookback feature and is available in the U.S. and Germany. This broad-based equity program is consistently highlighted as a standout component of total rewards.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO typically starts around three weeks with growth over tenure, alongside roughly 10–12 paid holidays and noted carryover options. Time-off policies are often viewed as a strong part of the package.
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Strong & Reliable Incentives — Annual bonuses are emphasized as a meaningful part of total compensation. Company materials and role descriptions explicitly include bonuses as part of the offering.
IPG Photonics Insights
What We Do
IPG Photonics is the world leader in fiber laser technology, offering solutions for applications across a wide array of industries. Headquartered in Marlborough, USA, the company has developed a robust, vertically integrated supply chain, developing key technology components in-house, thus enabling the most reliable, powerful, and efficient laser solutions. With over 30 locations across the globe, we are committed to developing innovative products that provide reliable, cost-effective solutions for our customers’ needs.
