Software Engineering Undergraduate Co-op
Posted on 9/15/2025

MKS Instruments
Compensation Overview
$25 - $32/hr
Rochester, NY, USA
In Person
A Day in Your Life at MKS:
As a 2026 Spring/Summer Software Engineering Undergraduate Co-op at MKS Instruments, you will partner with our Software Engineering Group to develop firmware regression testing systems or software to further our firmware quality goals. In this role, you will report to the SQA team manager.
Co-op Program Overview:
- 6-month co-op assignment within a functional area of MKS Instruments that provides students a comprehensive and engaging experience from before your program starts to after the program ends.
- Meaningful work and project assignments.
- Networking opportunities with peers and executives .
- Exposure to different divisions of the business.
- Understanding of MKS Instruments’ commitment to culture & belonging.
Co-op Term: This is a 6-month co-op beginning in January 2026. Candidates must be available for the entire duration of the assignment.
You Will Make an Impact By:
- Working with a team to design, implement, troubleshoot, debug, and support embedded firmware test suites involving test automation software and interfacing to electronic test equipment for RF systems for plasma control
- Analyzing test failures to determine root cause and corrective action
- Building, testing and troubleshooting test system hardware
- Conducting tests on RF systems for plasma control and analyze resulting test data
- Producing design documentation
- Interfacing with internal customers to determine and develop specifications
- Participating in test automation design reviews and recommend improvements
- Supporting test automation for new technology development initiatives and other critical projects
Skills You Bring:
- Enrolled in a Bachelor’s Degree program in computer engineering, electrical engineering or electrical engineering technology or relevant majors.
- Ability to understand and code using high level programming languages such as python, groovy, or java
- Ability to interact with computers using the Windows and Linux operating systems.
Preferred Skills:
- Ability to read electrical schematics and possession of some understanding of digital and analog electronics.
- Ability to understand and use test equipment like oscilloscopes, digital multimeters
- Mechanical Aptitude
Physical Demands and Working Conditions:
- Will need to be able to lift light loads overhead
- May be required to work in close proximity to high voltage power sources
- Must be able to remain in a stationary position for 25% of the time
- Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery
- This job operates in a professional office and industrial laboratory environment
- This is primarily an in-office (not remote) position
Compensation and Benefits:
Hourly Pay Range: $25.00 to $32.00 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, 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 benefits package for interns/co-ops working at least 20 hours per week, including 11 paid holidays, sick time, and 15 paid vacation days accrued on a biweekly basis.
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

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