ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Contamination Control Jobs (NOW HIRING)

IPG Photonics

Contamination Control Engineer

Oxford, MA · On-site

$86K - $112K/yr

Lead and advance contamination control strategies for DUV laser manufacturing * Analyze and mitigate photochemical and surface-driven degradation mechanisms affecting optics, coatings, crystals, and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsContamination Control Jobs

Contamination Control information

See salary details

$19

$33

$48

How much do contamination control jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for contamination control in the United States is $33.97, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $28.85 and $37.98 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Contamination Control, and why are they important?

To thrive in Contamination Control, you need a solid understanding of cleanroom protocols, contamination prevention techniques, and relevant scientific or technical education, often with a background in microbiology or engineering. Familiarity with industry standards such as ISO 14644, environmental monitoring systems, and specialized cleaning equipment is typically required. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and strong communication skills help professionals identify risks and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams. These skills are crucial to maintaining regulatory compliance and ensuring product safety in sensitive environments like pharmaceuticals, electronics, or healthcare.

What are common challenges faced in a Contamination Control role, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in Contamination Control often encounter challenges such as maintaining strict cleanliness standards, ensuring compliance with evolving regulatory requirements, and managing cross-departmental communication. These challenges can be addressed by staying updated on industry best practices, participating in regular training, and fostering a culture of accountability within the team. Collaboration with production, quality assurance, and facilities teams is crucial to proactively identify and mitigate contamination risks, helping to ensure a safe and compliant work environment.

What is contamination control?

Contamination control refers to the practices and procedures used to prevent, reduce, or eliminate the presence of unwanted substances (such as dust, microbes, chemicals, or particles) in controlled environments like laboratories, manufacturing facilities, or cleanrooms. These measures are crucial in industries such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, and food production to ensure product quality and safety. Techniques include the use of specialized equipment, protective clothing, air filtration systems, and strict cleaning protocols. Effective contamination control helps prevent product defects, health hazards, and regulatory non-compliance.

What is the difference between Contamination Control vs Cleanroom Technician?

AspectContamination ControlCleanroom Technician
CertificationsISO certifications, contamination control trainingCleanroom operation training, ISO standards
Work EnvironmentManufacturing, pharmaceutical, biotech cleanroomsCleanroom facilities in pharma, electronics, biotech
Employer & Industry UsageQuality assurance, contamination prevention teamsOperational staff maintaining cleanroom standards

Contamination Control focuses on preventing and managing contamination risks across various environments, often involving protocols, inspections, and training. Cleanroom Technicians operate within cleanrooms, executing specific procedures to maintain cleanliness standards. While both roles require similar certifications and work in related environments, Contamination Control has a broader scope, emphasizing contamination prevention strategies, whereas Cleanroom Technicians focus on daily operational tasks within cleanrooms.

More about Contamination Control jobs
What cities are hiring for Contamination Control jobs? Cities with the most Contamination Control job openings:
What states have the most Contamination Control jobs? States with the most job openings for Contamination Control jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Contamination Control jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Contamination Control jobs are:
Contamination Control jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contamination Control job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 2% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $70,662 per year, or $34 per hour.
Contamination Control Engineer

Contamination Control Engineer

IPG Photonics

Marlborough, MA

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago

IPG Photonics rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 18 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

106th of 430 rated machine equipment manufacturers

Job description

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 workinghand-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
  • Advanced degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field
  • Deep understanding of photochemistry, surface chemistry, and molecular contamination under deep-UV irradiation
  • Proven experience identifying and resolving contamination-driven performance or lifetime limitations in optical or laser systems
  • Strong knowledge of organic and inorganic contamination sources, outgassing, adsorption/desorption, and UV-induced chemical reactions
  • Experience working in contamination-sensitive environments such as cleanrooms or precision optics manufacturing
  • Familiarity with cleaning processes, contamination-control methods, and handling procedures for optical and laser components
  • Hands-on experience with DUV systems operating at 266 nm or shorter wavelengths in manufacturing, process engineering, or applied research environments
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to connect chemical mechanisms to system-level behavior
  • Experience with Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
  • Experience with surface-analysis and contamination-diagnostics tools
  • Proficiency in Statistical Process Control (SPC) methodologies and statistical analysis software
  • Background in reliability engineering for DUV optical systems preferred
  • Experience defining cleanliness standards for high-energy UV or photolithography-related applications preferred

What IPG Photonics employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply