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Optical Coating Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lead Coating Engineer

San Pablo, CA · On-site

$100K - $178K/yr

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 ...

Provide engineering support for PVD optical coating production, spanning development, production support, and process sustainment. * Work closely with design, and other manufacturing teams to ...

Optical Coating Tech I

Murrieta, CA · On-site

$18.34 - $31.36/hr

Optical Coating Technician I Job Details The Optical Coating Technician I plays a key role in ... Working in a cleanroom environment, you'll collaborate with engineering and operations teams to ...

Optical Coating Engineering Technician

Faribault, MN · On-site

$17 - $22.25/hr

Position Summary The Optical Coating Engineering Technician provides direct technical support to the Coating Manager, Process Technicians, and production coaters. They contribute to the development ...

Develop coating designs using optical modeling and thin-film design techniques * Analyze coating performance including transmission, reflection, absorption, durability, and environmental stability

Senior Coating Engineer

Danbury, CT · On-site

$86.60 - $181.80/hr

Senior Coating Engineer Job Category: Engineering Time Type: Full time Employee Type: Regular ... Provide coatings for precision optical components * Collaborate with an experienced team of diverse ...

Our Optical Communications segment has recently evolved from being a manufacturer of optical fiber ... You'll develop a deep understanding of how coating formulations translate to measurable fiber ...

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Optical Coating Engineer information

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$75.5K

$100.3K

$122.5K

How much do optical coating engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for optical coating engineer in the United States is $100,319.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,500.00 and $109,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an optical coating engineer do?

An Optical Coating Engineer designs, develops, and applies thin-film coatings to optical components to enhance performance by controlling reflection, transmission, and absorption of light. They work with vacuum deposition techniques, material science, and precision engineering to create coatings for lenses, mirrors, and optical filters. Their role involves process development, quality control, and troubleshooting to meet performance specifications for industries like aerospace, telecommunications, and medical imaging.

What are some typical projects or daily tasks for an optical coating engineer?

As an Optical Coating Engineer, your daily tasks often include designing thin-film coating processes, calibrating deposition equipment, performing quality inspections, and troubleshooting production issues. You may collaborate closely with optical designers, manufacturing technicians, and quality assurance teams to ensure coatings meet specific optical and mechanical requirements. Projects can range from developing anti-reflective coatings for lenses to creating specialized filters for advanced scientific or industrial applications. Working in this role provides a dynamic mix of hands-on lab work, process optimization, and teamwork, making it both challenging and rewarding.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an optical coating engineer?

To thrive as an Optical Coating Engineer, you need strong expertise in optics, materials science, thin-film deposition techniques, and typically a degree in physics, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with vacuum coating equipment, spectrophotometers, and industry-specific software such as thin-film design and simulation tools is highly beneficial. Attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and effective teamwork are important soft skills for excelling in this role. These skills enable precise development and application of optical coatings, ensuring product quality and successful collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.

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What cities are hiring for Optical Coating Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Optical Coating Engineer job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Optical Coating Engineer jobs?

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What states have the most Optical Coating Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Optical Coating Engineer jobs include:

Infographic showing various Optical Coating Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,319 per year, or $48.2 per hour.

Optical Coating Engineer

Applied Optoelectronics, Inc.

Sugar Land, TX • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 26 days ago


Job description

Summary
Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. is currently seeking a highly motivated and experienced person to operate optical coating equipment for fabrication of thin film semiconductors. Responsibilities include operation, maintenance, modifications, designs and repairs to the coating equipment.
Job Duties
  • Responsible for optical coatings based on ion beam assisted sputtering and e-beam evaporation
  • Monitor coating deposition and take necessary actions during the run
  • Check daily coating results and fine tune the equipment setting for next run by optimizing process parameters - e.g., Gas flow, substrate temperature, rate of deposition to achieve desirable properties of films.
  • Maintain production coating runs for high quality AR and HR coatings on facets
  • Solve issues - e.g., Leak in chamber, dry pump, cryo pump maintenance, dealing with vendors to buy parts.
  • Optical measurements on ellipsometry for various coating characteristics.
  • Lead maintenance, modifications, repair of coating machines
  • Equipment modification to improve throughput or stability
  • New coating design for new applications
  • Written and oral reports and SOPs.
  • Train and support production line

Job Requirements
  • Education: Master in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or semiconductor related field, specialty in thin film deposition is a plus
  • Experience: Minimum one year experience on e-beam coating and Ion beam sputtering coating.
  • Hands-on optical coating process knowledge
  • Knowledge and hands on skills of high vacuum techniques and equipment
  • Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Excellent analytical, organizational, planning and problem-solving/troubleshooting skills.
  • Comfortable multi-tasking in a fast-paced engineering and manufacturing environment.
  • Ability lift or move items weighing up to 20 pounds

Location
This position will be on-site based in Sugar Land, Texas.
WHY AOI?
  • Flexible and competitive health (medical, dental, vision) plans offer the employee with the right options to meet individual needs
  • Employer matching on 401(k) deferrals
  • Unused PTO payout at end of the year
  • Relocation package available within US
  • Immigration sponsorships (Must be currently authorized to work in the US)

We do not accept unsolicited proposals from third-party recruiters or agencies. Contacting hiring managers directly may result in disqualification of submissions.