Principal Manufacturing Engineer

A Day in Your Life at MKS:

We are seeking a highly skilled Principal Manufacturing Engineer to lead manufacturing engineering activities for Flow products at the Nogales site. This role is responsible for developing, optimizing, and sustaining manufacturing processes to ensure efficient, scalable, and high-quality production.

The Principal Manufacturing Engineer will play a key role in New Product Introduction (NPI), product transfers, and business continuity initiatives, ensuring smooth ramp-up and operational readiness. This position also drives continuous improvement, automation, and Industry 4.0 initiatives aligned with MKS operational excellence goals.

The ideal candidate will lead a team of 5–10 engineers and technicians, act as a key liaison with global teams (UK, Colorado), and ensure alignment across Quality, Production, Planning, and Materials. Strong leadership, technical depth in assembly processes, and a structured, data-driven approach are critical for success.

You Will Make an Impact By:

Lead development and optimization of manufacturing processes for Flow products (assembly, leak testing, calibration, inspection)

Drive New Product Introduction (NPI), transfers, and Business Continuity Planning (BCP) to ensure production readiness and successful ramp-up

Define and validate manufacturing processes (PFMEA, control plans, work instructions, IQ/OQ/PQ where applicable)

Design and implement tooling, fixtures, and production equipment to improve efficiency and repeatability

Support and sustain production lines by troubleshooting technical issues, reducing scrap, and improving yield and cycle time

Lead and develop teams of 5–10 engineers and technicians, ensuring accountability and execution of priorities

Drive continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma, CI projects) aligned to cost, quality, and delivery targets

Support ECO/TDN implementation, ensuring timely and controlled execution in production

Lead CAPEX projects including equipment justification, selection, installation, and validation

Drive Industry 4.0 initiatives (digitalization, automation, data visibility) within Flow manufacturing operations

Ensure compliance with quality, safety, and regulatory requirements

Skills You Bring:

Bachelor’s Degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial, Mechatronics Engineering, or related field

Minimum 8+ years in Manufacturing Engineering within a high-mix, medium-volume environment

Strong experience in assembly processes for precision products (fluid handling, flow systems preferred)

Experience in NPI, product transfers, and production ramp-up

Expertise in troubleshooting manufacturing issues using structured problem-solving (RCA, 8D, Ishikawa)

Strong knowledge of PFMEA, control plans, SPC, and process validation

Experience with equipment integration, fixture design, and error-proofing (poka-yoke)

Project management skills with ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders

Leadership experience managing engineering teams (5–10 people)

Strong cross-functional collaboration skills (Quality, Production, Planning, Materials, Design Engineering)

Excellent communication skills, including interaction with global teams

Data-driven mindset with focus on KPIs such as yield, OEE, and cycle time

Preferred Skills

Experience with Flow products, mass flow controllers, or fluid systems manufacturing

Familiarity with Industry 4.0 tools (MES, data analytics, IoT-enabled equipment)

Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt/Black Belt preferred)

Experience working in global environments (UK/US/MX collaboration)

Knowledge of sustainability and energy efficiency initiatives in manufacturing

Experience supporting pilot builds and engineering builds

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

Perform activities such as sitting, standing, or typing for extended periods

Regularly requires good manual dexterity and coordination

Occasionally moves/positions objects up to 25 lbs

Ability to remain in a stationary position for approximately 15% of the time

Requires manual dexterity and coordination at various levels (below, at, and above shoulder level)

Must be able to communicate and exchange information clearly and accurately

Operates in a manufacturing and office environment

Constant use of computer and office productivity tools

Ability to observe details at close range

Commitment to safety when working with mechanical/electrical systems, high voltage, gas, water, and heat

Noise level is typically moderate

Globally, our policy is to recruit individuals from wide and diverse backgrounds. However, certain positions require access to controlled goods and technologies subject to various export control regulations. Applicants for these positions may be limited (by, for example, their countries of citizenship, country of origin, or immigration status) where required by law or governmental contact, and/or employment made contingent upon the issuance of appropriate governmental licensing.

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: accommodationsatMKS@mksinst.com .

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