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Electroplating Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Sanmina

Process Engineer - Electroplating

San Jose, CA

$100K - $135K/yr

Process Engineer - Electroplating Job Purpose: The PCB industry is experiencing a renaissance with the industry focusing on Interconnect Technology and Miniaturization. With layers of circuits ...

Raytheon

Electroplating Process Engineer

Lompoc, CA

We have an immediate opportunity for an Electroplating Process Engineer to join our 3D Integration and Imaging Sensors group. This is an opportunity to contribute to a team developing cutting-edge ...

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All JobsElectroplating Engineer JobsElectroplating Engineer Jobs in California

Electroplating Engineer information

See California salary details

$37.5K

$89.4K

$148.5K

How much do electroplating engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for electroplating engineer in California is $89,353.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,600.00 and $98,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Electroplating Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Electroplating Engineer, you need a solid background in chemistry, materials science, and process engineering, typically supported by a degree in chemical, materials, or metallurgical engineering. Familiarity with electroplating bath formulations, surface preparation techniques, and quality control systems, as well as proficiency with laboratory instrumentation and safety protocols, is essential. Attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and effective teamwork enable you to optimize processes and address production challenges. These competencies ensure the reliability, efficiency, and safety of electroplating operations, which are critical for meeting product specifications and industry standards.

What does an Electroplating Engineer do?

An Electroplating Engineer specializes in designing, operating, and optimizing processes that deposit a thin layer of metal onto the surface of various products. They work with different metals and chemicals to enhance product properties like corrosion resistance, appearance, or electrical conductivity. Their responsibilities include developing plating solutions, troubleshooting equipment, ensuring safety and environmental compliance, and improving process efficiency. Electroplating Engineers often work in industries such as automotive, electronics, aerospace, and manufacturing.

What are some common challenges Electroplating Engineers face in maintaining consistent coating quality, and how can they address them?

Electroplating Engineers often encounter challenges related to maintaining uniform thickness and adhesion of coatings, which can be affected by variables such as bath chemistry, temperature control, and substrate preparation. Addressing these issues typically involves regular monitoring and adjustment of process parameters, implementing rigorous quality control procedures, and collaborating closely with production and maintenance teams. Staying up to date with the latest industry standards and troubleshooting techniques is also crucial for minimizing defects and ensuring reliable results.

What is the difference between Electroplating Engineer vs Surface Finishing Technician?

AspectElectroplating EngineerSurface Finishing Technician
CredentialsBachelor's in Chemical, Materials, or Mechanical Engineering; certifications in plating processesHigh school diploma or technical training; certifications in surface finishing
Work EnvironmentDesigning processes, overseeing plating operations, quality control in manufacturing plantsPerforming surface treatments, maintenance, and quality checks on production lines
Industry UsageUsed in electronics, automotive, aerospace manufacturingCommon in metal finishing, jewelry, and appliance industries

Electroplating Engineers focus on designing and managing electroplating processes, requiring engineering credentials and overseeing quality control. Surface Finishing Technicians perform hands-on surface treatments and maintenance. While both roles work in similar environments and industries, their responsibilities and required qualifications differ significantly.

What are popular job titles related to Electroplating Engineer jobs in California? For Electroplating Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Electroplating Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Electroplating Engineer jobs in California are:
Electroplating Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Electroplating Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 49% Internship, 11% As Needed, 35% Full Time, 3% Part Time, 1% Nights, and 1% Summer. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,353 per year, or $43 per hour.
Process Engineer - Electroplating

Process Engineer - Electroplating

Sanmina

San Jose, CA

$100K - $135K/yr

Other

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 25 days ago

Sanmina rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 35 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

119th of 143 rated electronics manufacturers

Job description

Sanmina Corporation (Nasdaq: SANM) is a leading integrated manufacturing solutions provider serving the fastest growing segments of the global Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) market. Recognized as a technology leader, Sanmina Corporation provides end-to-end manufacturing solutions, delivering superior quality and support to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) primarily in the communications networks, defense and aerospace, industrial and semiconductor systems, medical, multimedia, computing and storage, automotive and clean technology sectors. Sanmina Corporation has facilities strategically located in key regions throughout the world.

Process Engineer - Electroplating Job Purpose: The PCB industry is experiencing a renaissance with the industry focusing on Interconnect Technology and Miniaturization. With layers of circuits approaching more than 70 layers and features approaching below 1 mil (25.4 microns), the industry is rapidly changing from the early 2000s to enabling technologies in the 2020s and 2030s. Sanmina's PCB division is at the forefront of this renaissance, offering new opportunities for talented engineers in chemical engineering, material science, physics, and mechanical engineering

Sanmina is seeking engineers to explore opportunities to unleash the potential of advanced semiconductors and enable significant technological advancements. The Process Engineer will be responsible for the electroplating process lines. Nature of Duties/Responsibilities: Responsible for the electroplating processes and process tools used for PCB manufacturing.

Develop and use SPC / KPI's to track process performance; drive continuous improvement projects Partner with equipment engineering to develop and document performance maintenance checklists. Define qualification requirements to be used after PM's and down tool events. Understand the capabilities of your fabrication process.

Source new tools, drive tool changes, and develop new processes to enhance PCB manufacturing capabilities. Work closely with operations to ensure that process work instructions are clear and processes are operator-friendly. Work collaboratively with upstream and downstream process modules to investigate defect root causes and develop solutions.

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline, preferably Chemical or Materials Science Engineering. A minimum of 5 years working experience in electrochemical processing or a graduate degree with <5 years experience in electrochemistry. Experienced with SPC.

Strong data analysis skills and proficiency with tools such as JMP, Minitab, Excel Experienced in statistical data analysis and Design of Experiments Proven track record in solving problems using 8D and continuous improvement via DMAIC. Good written and oral communication skills. A self-starter and go-getter capable of driving the yield improvement progress Salary Range (annual) : $100,000.00-$135,000.00 Actual base pay within this range (determined at the offer stage) will be based on a candidate's years of relevant work experience, education, certifications, and skills, and is just one element of our total rewards package

The total rewards package also includes a variety of benefits, including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business and, depending on the role, may include eligibility for restricted stock unit awards and participation in a discretionary bonus program. This is an ITAR facility and applicant must be a US Citizen or a lawful permanent resident. Sanmina is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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