Graduate/PhD Intern

Graduate Student Program Overview:

• Summer internship program from May 2026 to August 2026. This program will provide students with a comprehensive and engaging experience, from before the program begins to after it concludes.
• Intern-specific onboarding and orientation experience
• Meaningful work and project assignments
• Networking opportunities with peers and executives
• Exposure to different divisions of the business
• Understanding of MKS Instruments’ commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

A Day in Your Life at MKS:

Newport, Spectra-Physics, and Ophir are brands within the MKS Instruments Photonics Solutions Division (PSD). We provide a full range of solutions including lasers for precision industrial and scientific research applications, laser and LED measurement, beam profiling, precision motion control, optical tables and vibration isolation systems, photonics instruments, opto-mechanical components and optical elements. MKS PSD enhances our customers’ capabilities and productivity in semiconductors, industrial technologies, life and health sciences, research, and defense markets.

Our Inside Sales team is a diverse group of optical, electrical, and mechanical engineers and scientists who engage with the broadest range of customers imaginable – every day we learn something new by helping our customers solve challenging optics and photonics problems and develop technology to improve the human condition and make the world a better and safer place. We are often the first point of contact for customers who have visited our website or called our 800 number, making us a critical technical resource to support new sales or answer questions about a product they already own.

If you are passionate about selling, learning new technology, providing best-in-class technical support, and having a great customer experience. In that case, we invite you to join us as a summer intern.

Skills you Bring:

• Curiosity to learn our products, processes, and customer applications.

• Possible responsibilities include, but are not limited to, responding to customer inquiries and participating in customer calls.

• Projects will also involve interfacing with Inside Sales Engineering team and Product Line Managers/Product Specialists within Vibration Control, Opto-Mechanical, and Motion Control products to positively impact the customer experience.

Required Skills:

• Enrolled in a Master’s or PhD Degree program studying Optics, Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related field with expected completion between December 2026 and May 2027.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Demonstrated consultative and collaborative skills to partner and consult with our sales and product teams.

• Demonstrated initiative, resiliency, flexibility, time management, and organizational skills.

• Proficient computer, software, and data analysis skills, including Microsoft Office or equivalent programs.

Qualified candidates must be U.S. persons. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Compensation and Benefits:

Hourly Pay Range: $30.00 to $45.00 per hour. 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, as well as 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.  

Benefits: MKS offers a comprehensive benefits package for interns and co-ops working at least 20 hours per week, including 11 paid holidays, sick leave, and 15 paid vacation days accrued on a biweekly basis. 

The application period for the intern/co-op position is estimated to be through the end of March 2026; however, this may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

MKS is an equal opportunity employer, including disability, veteran status, and all categories protected by law. Please review our EOE statements for additional details.

#LI-DNI

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.

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 generally only hiring candidates who reside in states where we are registered to do business.

MKS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process due to a disability, please contact us at: [email protected].

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