Contamination Control Engineer

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