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Coating Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Lead Coating Engineer

San Pablo, CA · On-site

$100K - $178K/yr

Lead Coating Engineer Job Details The Optical Coating Engineer leads the technical team and drives the design, development, and implementation of new thin‑film coating products and manufacturing ...

As a Materials Engineer within the Product Design organization, you will drive the development of new coating materials and processes to meet the surface durability and aesthetic requirements across ...

Under the oversight and direction of Department Section Head, Construction Inspectors, Resident Engineers, Area Supervisors or Consultant Construction Managers on projects requiring a coating ...

As a Materials Engineer within the Product Design organization, you will drive the development of new coating materials and processes to meet the surface durability and aesthetic requirements across ...

Collaborate with quality and engineering teams to resolve defects. Qualifications * High school ... Experience in electronics manufacturing or coating applications is a plus. * Knowledge of IPC ...

Optical Coating Tech I

Murrieta, CA · On-site

$18.34 - $31.36/hr

Working in a cleanroom environment, you'll collaborate with engineering and operations teams to ... to coating. • Prepare and operate vacuum coating chambers, including cleaning, foiling ...

Conformal Coating OperatorJob Summary The Conformal Coating Operator is responsible for preparing ... Communicate quality, process, material, or equipment issues to the lead, supervisor, or engineering ...

Coating Technician V who has a good understanding of vacuum coating chambers, knowledge of coating ... engineering, production management Compensation and Benefits: Hourly Pay Range : $35 - $59 per hour.

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Coating Engineer information

See California salary details

$74.5K

$99K

$120.9K

How much do coating engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for coating engineer in California is $99,005.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,300.00 and $108,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a Coating Engineer?

A typical day for a Coating Engineer involves designing and optimizing coating processes, overseeing application techniques, and monitoring production lines to ensure adherence to quality standards. You may conduct laboratory tests, analyze data, and troubleshoot issues related to coating failures or inefficiencies. Collaboration with quality assurance, manufacturing, and R&D teams is common to address technical challenges and implement improvements. The role also often includes documentation, developing process specifications, and staying updated on emerging coating technologies.

What is a Coating Engineer job?

A Coating Engineer specializes in selecting, developing, and applying coatings to protect surfaces from corrosion, wear, and environmental factors. They work with industries like automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, and oil & gas to enhance product durability and performance. Their responsibilities include researching coating materials, conducting testing, improving application processes, and ensuring compliance with industry standards.

What does a coating engineer do?

A coating engineer designs, develops, and applies protective or decorative coatings to surfaces to improve durability, appearance, and corrosion resistance. They analyze materials, select appropriate coating systems, and often use tools like spectrometers or testing equipment to ensure quality and compliance with standards. The role typically requires knowledge of chemistry, materials science, and safety protocols.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Coating Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Coating Engineer, you need a solid background in materials science, chemical engineering, or a related field, with expertise in coating processes and surface treatment techniques. Familiarity with industry-standard testing equipment, CAD software, and certifications such as Six Sigma or NACE can be highly beneficial. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills enable success in collaborating with cross-functional teams and troubleshooting production issues. These competencies are essential for ensuring coating performance, quality control, and implementing process improvements in manufacturing or industrial environments.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles. High-level positions often require advanced degrees, certifications, and a strong track record of project management and technical expertise.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. These roles typically require advanced skills, extensive experience, and sometimes professional certifications or advanced degrees.

Can a chemical engineer make 200k a year?

Coating engineers, including chemical engineers in specialized industries, can potentially earn $200,000 or more annually with extensive experience, advanced skills, and in high-paying sectors such as aerospace or pharmaceuticals. Achieving this salary often requires advanced certifications, leadership roles, or working in regions with higher compensation standards.
What are the most commonly searched types of Coating Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Coating Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Coating Engineer jobs in California? For Coating Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What are popular job titles related to Coating Engineer jobs in CA? For Coating Engineer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Coating Engineer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% Internship, 85% Full Time, 5% Temporary, and 5% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $99,005 per year, or $47.6 per hour.

Lead Coating Engineer

Attalon, Inc.

San Pablo, CA • On-site

$100K - $178K/yr

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago


Job description

Attalon / Location Overview

The Attalon Integrated Optical Systems business unit is a precision optics and optical assemblies design and manufacturing group that specializes in ultra-precision optical components and coatings. Applications include semiconductor and flat-panel display manufacturing, ground and space-based telescopes, defense systems and other exotic scientific and government-sponsored programs. We are seeking an experienced Optical Coating Engineer to join our team!

Lead Coating Engineer

Job Details

The Optical Coating Engineer leads the technical team and drives the design, development, and implementation of new thin‑film coating products and manufacturing processes. This role covers all aspects of coating engineering, including coating and tooling design, process development, qualification, documentation, and hands‑on support of coating operations such as substrate preparation, deposition, inspection, and characterization. The engineer also serves as the Process Owner, ensuring robust process controls, troubleshooting equipment issues, and maintaining consistent, high‑quality production output.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the design, development, and execution of thin‑film deposition processes; ensure designs meet customer requirements and create supporting documentation, test procedures, BOMs, and work instructions.
  • Troubleshoot coating‑operation issues, identify root causes using analytical techniques, and provide clear corrective action updates.
  • Develop methods and operate precision optical test equipment to measure thin‑film coating properties.
  • Assist in designing and procuring tooling for coating processes.
  • Support maintenance teams in developing and implementing preventive maintenance and repair procedures.
  • Collaborate with Quality, Engineering, Program Management, and Operations to deliver projects on time and with high quality.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree in physics, optics, materials science, or engineering
  • Minimum of 7 years of related experience, preferably in thin film coating engineering and at an aerospace company. 5 years with an advanced degree

Preferred Qualifications

  • Hands-on experience with thin film deposition technologies (thermal and e‑beam evaporation, sputtering, CVD) and related tooling design; strong understanding of process physics and mechanics.
  • Experience with thin film modeling software (TFCalc, Macleod, etc.).
  • Proficiency with MS Word, Excel, Access, and basic CAD (SolidWorks preferred).
  • Strong technical communication skills, both verbal and written.
  • Ability to read and interpret shop blueprints and customer drawings.
  • Experience with process design, development, and project planning (preferred).

For California, the salary pay range for this role is $100,625.00 - 178,050.00
Please note this range is provided as a general guideline. When determining an offer, Attalon takes into account multiple factors, including (but not limited to) the responsibilities of the position, your professional experience, education and training, specialized skills, and current market and business conditions.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Attalon, Inc. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.


Export Control Compliance

This role involves access to technology, materials, software, or hardware subject to U.S. export control laws. Therefore, to be considered, candidates must be classified as a “U.S. Person” under applicable regulations or be eligible for authorization under a U.S. government export license.