Careers

ABOUT US

Enhancing Performance, Productivity, and Profitability

Physical Electronics USA Inc. (PHI) is a subsidiary of ULVAC-PHI, the world's leading supplier of UHV surface analysis instrumentation. PHI’s innovative XPS, AES, and SIMS technologies provide our customers with unique tools to solve challenging materials problems and accelerate the development of new processes and products. As the only supplier that provides a full range of high-performance XPS, AES, and SIMS surface analysis instruments, PHI is in a unique position to provide complete surface analysis solutions to potential clients in a broad range of high technology fields including the following: nanotechnology, microelectronics, storage media, catalysis, bio-materials, pharmaceuticals, and basic materials such as metals, polymers, composites and coatings.

At PHI, our success is powered by people and technology. Employee appreciation and recognition, total employee wellness and shared celebration of company success are just a few of our top priorities. Employees enjoy paid holidays and vacation, as well as an unlimited PTO benefit to help balance work, life, and everything in between. Some of our most-loved benefits include department hosted lunches, employee-led wellness activities, on-site gym, employer contribution to H.S.A. and safe-harbor 401k contributions. Medical, dental and employer paid life insurance benefits are available. Student tuition reimbursement, ongoing education and training opportunities, and employer matched charitable contributions are also available to employees.

Physical Electronics USA is an Affirmative Action employer committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees according to all applicable equal opportunity and affirmative action laws, directives and regulations of federal, state and local governing bodies and agencies. In keeping with this commitment, Physical Electronics USA will recruit and hire the most qualified individuals without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local commission, disability, age, sexual orientation or status as a Vietnam era, special disabled, or or other covered veteran.

CURRENT OPENINGS (3)

Mechanical Engineer III

PHI is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to join our team.  This posistion is responsible for designing, developing, and supporting mechanical systems used in PHI’s analytical instrumentation. This position works closely with electrical, software, and systems engineers to create reliable and manufacturable designs that meet performance, cost, and schedule requirements.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical components and assemblies for complex analytical instrumentation systems.
• Create detailed 3D models, drawings, and documentation using CAD software.
• Perform tolerance analysis, thermal analysis, and structural evaluations to ensure product reliability and performance.
• Support prototype development, testing, and validation activities.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including electrical engineering, software engineering, manufacturing, and service
• Participate in design reviews and contribute to system-level engineering decisions.
• Work with suppliers and manufacturing teams to ensure designs are manufacturable and cost-effective.
• Troubleshoot mechanical issues and implement design improvements.
• Maintain accurate engineering documentation and change control through the product lifecycle.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in mechanical design and product development.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software (such as (Autodesk Inventor or similar).
• Experience designing precision mechanical assemblies and complex systems.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes, materials, and tolerance stack-ups.
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary engineering environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with scientific instrumentation, vacuum systems, or precision motion systems.
• Knowledge of thermal management, vibration control, or structural analysis.
• Familiarity with DFM/DFA practices.
• Experience supporting prototype builds and transitioning designs to production

Send Cover Letter and Resume to Jennifer Fredrickson at jfredrickson@phi.com

Staff Scientist

PHI is seeking a dynamic and technically skilled Staff Scientist with experience in surface spectroscopies to join our Analytical Laboratory team. In this role, the applied surface scientist will provide technical expertise to the company, performing instrument demonstrations, leading training sessions, developing marketing materials, testing current instrument software/hardware, providing feedback into next generation instrumentation, and delivering solutions to product challenges. PHI’s surface analysis instrument portfolio includes X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES), and Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS).

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Provides expertise in the operation and application of surface analysis instrumentation.
• Performs instrument demonstrations, including development of strategies.
• Ability to analyze and interpret results.
• Creates demonstration reports to communicate results of analysis to the customer plus strengths of PHI instrumentation.
• Ensures instrumentation is operating to specifications for demonstrations.
• Provides on-site instrument training at customer sites, tailoring training materials.
• Develops marketing materials for surface analysis product line.
• Supports interdepartmental activities, including assistance with preparation of sales tender documents, software testing, and corrective action initiatives.
• Participates in new product planning activities, providing both “voice” as an expert user in addition to being a representative of customer’s “voice”.
• Represents the company by attending and presenting at scientific conferences.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry, Physics, or Materials Science or MS with 3+ years of experience.
• Hands-on experience and knowledge about material characterization techniques, such as XPS, AES, and/or SIMS.
• Strong presentation and communication skills.
• Comfortable working independently and as part of a cross-functional team.

Send Cover Letter and Resume to Jennifer Fredrickson at jfredrickson@phi.com

Application Training Engineer

PHI is seeking a dynamic and technically skilled Application Training Engineer to join our Analytical Laboratory team. This role is essential in delivering high-impact training to customers on our advanced surface analysis instrumentation, which include X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES), and Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS). The application training engineer will play a key role in ensuring customer success and product adoption through hands-on training, technical documentation, and ongoing support.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Deliver in-person and virtual application training to customers. Training sessions will take place either at PHI USA or customer sites.
• Customize training content and course agendas to meet the experience levels, instrument configurations, and applications of different audiences.
• Develop and maintain training materials, including manuals, video tutorials, quick start guides, and e-learning modules.
• Collaborate with product managers, scientists, R&D, engineering, and service teams to stay current on application features, software, and hardware updates.
• Travel to customer sites (50% of the time) across the U.S. and internationally.
• Collect feedback to continuously improve training effectiveness and delivery methods.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry, Physics, or Materials Science or MS with 3+ years of experience.
• Hands-on experience and knowledge about material characterization techniques, such as XPS, AES, and/or SIMS.
• Strong presentation and communication skills with passion for teaching
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, user-friendly content.
• Willingness to travel extensively.
• Self-starter with strong organizational skills.
• Comfortable working independently and as part of a cross-functional team.

Send Cover Letter and Resume to Jennifer Fredrickson at jfredrickson@phi.com