Industrial Physicist - Vacuum and Laser Systems - Pine Brook, NJ

Industrial Physicist - Vacuum and Laser Systems - Pine Brook, NJ Kearfott Corporation paid holidays, sick time, tuition assistance, 401(k) United States, Jersey, Pine Brook May 08, 2026 Founded in 1918, Kearfott Corporation, a global Aerospace and Defense supplier for over 100 years, is a leader in the design and manufacture of precision motion control products and inertial navigation components. Kearfott has a very long history of innovation and excellence and is the go-to brand for many of our global clients. Kearfott is trusted, respected and plays a vital role in the success of America's aerospace and defense industries. With over a century of expertise & experience, Kearfott is dedicated to providing quality, reliability, and cutting-edge technology to customers worldwide to meet their sea, land, air, and space navigation and guidance requirements. We are looking for talented individuals who want to be part of a world-class workforce. Join Kearfott and become part of a company that is recognized for technical expertise and respected world-wide as a 'full service' provider. For more information visit our website at www.kearfott.com Industrial Physicist - Vacuum and Laser Systems Position Description The Industrial Physicist - Vacuum and Laser Systems will support the design, troubleshooting, improvement, and long-term reliability of advanced vacuum-based laser manufacturing equipment. This role is highly multidisciplinary and requires expertise spanning vacuum hardware, instrumentation electronics, motion/control systems, and software used for automated test and measurement. This role requires substantial hands-on electronics instrumentation work. The ideal candidate has direct experience building, integrating, and operating complex experimental systems in a research or industrial environment - particularly systems involving vacuum chambers, lasers/optics, plasma processes, or automated instrumentation and data acquisition. Candidates with backgrounds in AMO physics, experimental optics, semiconductor process equipment, or scientific instrumentation are especially encouraged to apply. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys solving difficult cross-disciplinary problems, building things with their hands, and working directly with hardware in a production environment.

Essential Job Functions:

• Troubleshoot problems with the electronics and software control systems for existing Kearfott vacuum instrumentation
• Propose and implement design changes to the above to improve product quality and manufacturability
• Read and interpret existing schematics for the electro-mechanical components in these systems
• Perform hands-on troubleshooting of these electro-mechanical components.
• Design new schematics, drawings, etc., for the next generation of Kearfott test equipment
• Create and update standard operating procedures for the day-to-day use of these systems.
• Train technicians and engineers to carry out documented operating procedures.
• Perform root cause analysis of production failures.
• Prepare and present reports on the above to management.

Required Skills and Experience:

• MSc in Physics or a closely related discipline required.
• MS with 4+ years of experience, or PhD with 2+ years of experience
• Experience in designing and assembling scientific apparatus containing ultrahigh vacuum chambers, automated data acquisition software, and test and measurement electronics.
• Experience with hand-work electronics assembly (i.e., soldering, building electronics to printed circuit schematics etc.).
• Capable of working independently as well as within a cross-functional team of both engineers and technicians.
• Detail-oriented and demonstrated background in test equipment design.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills as well as presentation skills.
• Experience with one or more programming languages for test software development.
• Must be a US Citizen.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• PhD in physics or close-related discipline
• A record of publications or documented project reports about scientific apparatus that has been assembled and used.
• Experience in plasma physics, lasers and optics, or material science.
• Experience with LabVIEW.
• Familiarity with Python and/or MATLAB.
• Familiarity with electrical or mechanical design software.
• Previous experience working in cleanrooms (ISO Class 4 through Class 7).

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in Jersey is $114,000 - $142,000 Annually. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to job-related knowledge and skills, experience, and internal consistency. Additionally, we offer medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, a 401(k) plan with company match, tuition assistance, paid vacation and sick days, paid holidays, and a 9/80 work week with every other Friday off. Our work environment embraces our people as we enjoy monthly employee events that celebrate our workplace culture. Equal Opportunity Employer/including Disabled/Veterans