About Us:

How many companies can say they have been in business for over 178 years?!

Here at ZEISS, we certainly can! As the pioneers of science, ZEISS handles the ever-changing environments in a fast-paced world, meeting it with cutting edge technologies and continuous advancements. ZEISS believes that innovation and technology are the key to a sustainable future and solutions for global change. We have a diverse range of portfolios throughout the ZEISS family in segments like Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology, Consumer Markets and Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology. We are a global company with over 42,000 employees and have over 4,000 in the US and Canada alone! Make a difference, come join the team!

What’s the role?

The Mechanical Engineer – X-ray Source Development leads research, design, prototyping, and quantitative characterization of next-generation X-ray source hardware with a specialized focus on mechanical architecture, thermal management, structural integrity, and precision integration of high-voltage subsystems. This role emphasizes robust, manufacturable mechanical designs for vacuum and high-voltage environments, including component layout, stress and thermal analysis, and hands-on prototyping and testing. You will define the mechanical architecture for advanced X-ray sources—covering enclosures, vacuum and cooling subsystems, high-voltage mechanics, precision mounts and interfaces, and serviceable assemblies. Your contributions will directly advance source reliability, stability, lifetime, manufacturability, and seamless integration into next-generation X-ray microscopy platforms.

Sound Interesting?

Here’s what you’ll do:

Mechanical Architecture & Structural Design

• Lead the design of mechanical assemblies for X-ray sources, including vacuum housings, support structures, precision mounts, and protective enclosures for high-voltage and ultra-high vacuum components.

• Perform detailed structural and modal analyses (e.g., stress, deformation, vibration) using SolidWorks Simulation or equivalent tools to ensure stability, robustness, and long-term reliability.

• Define material selections and design features that support high-voltage isolation, thermal performance, vacuum compatibility, and radiation environment constraints.

• Own the 3D CAD master model and associated 2D drawings, ensuring configuration control and cross-functional alignment.

Thermal Management & Environmental Control

• Model and optimize thermal performance of source assemblies, including conduction, convection, and radiation paths, to maintain component temperatures within specified limits.

• Design and validate active and passive thermal management solutions (e.g., heat sinks, cooling channels, fans, liquid loops, insulation, thermal interfaces).

• Collaborate with electrical and systems engineers to co-design thermally robust layouts for power electronics, targets, detectors, and other heat-generating components.

• Plan and execute thermal test campaigns to correlate analysis with experimental data and refine designs.

Precision Mechanisms, Vacuum & HV-Related Mechanics

• Design precision mechanical interfaces and alignment schemes for electron-optical components, targets, and detectors to ensure repeatable positioning and stability.

• Develop mechanical solutions for vacuum systems (e.g., flanges, seals, feedthrough interfaces, supports) in collaboration with vacuum and electron-optics experts.

• Implement clearances, creepage distances, supports, and barriers that enable safe and reliable integration of high-voltage components within mechanical assemblies.

• Support the development of target and anode assemblies capable of handling high power densities and thermal loads.

Design for Manufacturability & Assembly (DFM/DFA)

• Apply DFM/DFA principles to create designs that are cost-effective, robust, and easy to assemble, test, and service at scale.

• Generate fully detailed drawings with robust GD&T to control critical interfaces, tolerances, and functional relationships.

• Work closely with internal manufacturing, supply chain, and external suppliers to refine designs for machining, casting, sheet metal, additive manufacturing, and other processes.

• Support make-versus-buy decisions by providing technical input on manufacturability, risk, and cost.

Prototyping, Testing & System Integration

• Build and assemble mechanical prototypes, fixtures, and test setups; be hands-on in the lab and on the production floor.

• Plan and execute mechanical validation tests (e.g., fit, functional, thermal, vibration, life tests) and document results with clear, data-driven conclusions.

• Collaborate with electrical, software, and systems engineering teams to integrate mechanical designs into full X-ray instruments, resolving interface and packaging issues.

• Support root-cause analysis and continuous improvement activities for field issues and manufacturing non-conformances.

Technical Leadership & Program Ownership

• Own mechanical development work packages from concept through prototype demonstration and transfer to product development, including planning, risk analysis, and technical reviews.

• Mentor junior mechanical engineers and interns in CAD best practices, GD&T, simulation, DFM/DFA, and experimental methods.

• Drive innovation in mechanical design, thermal architecture, materials, and manufacturing methods to create differentiated, high-performance X-ray source solutions.

Do you qualify?

• BSME with 8+ years of experience in relevant industry or MSME with 2-4 years of experience in relevant industry

• Demonstrated expertise in 3D CAD (SolidWorks strongly preferred), including complex assemblies, detailed drawings, and PDM/PLM usage.

• Proven experience with thermal and structural analysis using SolidWorks Simulation or comparable FEA tools.

• Strong foundation in GD&T and mechanical dimensioning/tolerancing for precision assemblies.

• Demonstrated track record in design for manufacturing and assembly, including collaboration with machine shops, vendors, and production teams.

• Hands-on experience building and testing mechanical prototypes, fixtures, and lab setups.

• Experience with one or more of the following is strongly preferred: vacuum systems, high-voltage or high-power equipment, precision instruments, X-ray or electron-beam devices, or other complex mechatronic systems.

• Fluency in English is required, including technical communication.

• Ability to understand and work effectively with team members from electrical engineering, software engineering, advanced development, manufacturing, marketing, and product management; strong communication skills to resolve cross-functional technical challenges.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; sit for long periods of time; use hands to handle or feel objects, grasp tools or operate controls; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk and hear; smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 60 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to the weather conditions prevalent at the time.  Also, the employee will be exposed to the conditions in the production area and test areas. The noise level in the work area is usually moderate to extreme.

• Periodic travel to partner sites, suppliers, and customer locations may be required.

The annual pay range for this position is $100,000 – $125,000

The pay offered for this role may be influenced by factors such as job location, scope of role, qualifications, education, experience, & complexity/specialization/scarcity of talent.

This position is also eligible for a performance bonus or sales commissions. 

We have amazing benefits to support you as an employee at ZEISS!

• Medical
• Vision
• Dental
• 401k Matching
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Vacation and sick pay 
• The list goes on! 

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of requirements, duties, or responsibilities. The Company reserves the right to interpret, amend, or otherwise modify, in whole or in part, any job description at any time, at its sole discretion. 

Your ZEISS Recruiting Team:

Tina Eilerman

Zeiss provides Equal Employment Opportunity without unlawful regard to an Applicants race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, marital status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military or veteran status, citizen status, sexual orientation, pregnancy (includes childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical condition), genetic predisposition, carrier status, gender expression or identity, including transgender identity, or any other class or characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law of the employee (or the people with whom the employee associates, including relatives and friends).