Mechanical Engineer- NLX

About the role

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 develop