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Optical Coating Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Corning

Thin Film Coating Technician

Horseheads, NY · On-site

$15.75 - $20.75/hr

As a member of the Advanced Optics Division Engineering Optical Thin Film Coating group, you will work closely with the engineering team to demonstrate new thin film coating and manufacturing ...

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Corning

Thin Film Coating Technician

Fairport, NY

$15.75 - $20.75/hr

As a member of the Advanced Optics Division Engineering Optical Thin Film Coating group, you will work closely with the engineering team to demonstrate new thin film coating and manufacturing ...

Corning

Thin Film Coating Technician

Fairport, NY

$15.75 - $20.75/hr

As a member of the Advanced Optics Division Engineering Optical Thin Film Coating group, you will work closely with the engineering team to demonstrate new thin film coating and manufacturing ...

Corning

Thin Film Coating Technician

Fairport, NY

$60K - $83K/yr

As a member of the Advanced Optics Division Engineering Optical Thin Film Coating group, you will work closely with the engineering team to demonstrate new thin film coating and manufacturing ...

Kodak

Coating Technician

Rochester, NY · On-site

$30 - $33/hr

... optical clarity, haze, etc) 5. Assist engineering staff with quality system improvements in multiple areas (solution mixing, coating, slitting, and calendaring. Skills required: 1. Strong mechanical ...

Kodak

Coating Technician

Rochester, NY

$30 - $33/hr

... optical clarity, haze, etc) 5. Assist engineering staff with quality system improvements in multiple areas (solution mixing, coating, slitting, and calendaring. Skills required: 1. Strong mechanical ...

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How much do optical coating engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 4, 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 the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Optical Coating Engineer position, and why are they important?

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.

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.
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Optical Coating Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Optical Coating Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 99% Full Time, and 1% Part Time. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,319 per year, or $48.2 per hour.
Thin Film Coating Technician

Thin Film Coating Technician

Corning

Horseheads, NY • On-site

$15.75 - $20.75/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 2 days ago

Corning rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 124 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

79th of 515 rated manufacturers

Job description

Requisition Number: 75190 The company built on breakthroughs. Join us. Corning is one of the world's leading innovators in glass, ceramic, and materials science. From the depths of the ocean to the farthest reaches of space, our technologies push the boundaries of what's possible. How do we do this? With our people. They break through limitations and expectations - not once in a career, but every day. They help move our company, and the world, forward. At Corning, there are endless possibilities for making an impact. You can help connect the unconnected, drive the future of automobiles, transform at-home entertainment, and ensure the delivery of lifesaving medicines. And so much more. Come break through with us. Corning's businesses are ever-evolving to best serve our customers, industries, and consumers. Today, we accelerate and transform life sciences, mobile consumer electronics, optical communications, display, automotive, and solar markets. We are changing the world with:
  • Trusted products that accelerate drug discovery, development, and delivery to save lives
  • Damage-resistant cover glass to enhance the devices that keep us connected
  • Optical fiber, wireless technologies, and connectivity solutions to carry information and ideas at the speed of light
  • Precision glass for advanced displays to deliver richer experiences
  • Auto glass and ceramics to drive cleaner, safer, and smarter transportation
  • Solar polysilicon, wafers, and innovative photovoltaic modules, enabling low-cost solar energy solutions
Scope of Position: As a member of the Advanced Optics Division Engineering Optical Thin Film Coating group, you will work closely with the engineering team to demonstrate new thin film coating and manufacturing processes that build on Corning's existing knowledge base to move products into coating production. This is a hands-on technical role requiring use of thin film deposition equipment and tooling, measurement instrumentation, and skills in optics cleaning and inspection. Major Responsibilities:
  • Daily support of coating test activities, process set-up, hardware evaluation, coating measurements and characterization, analysis of results.
  • Manage coating recipe and layer programming, create individual coating run documentation files, maintain organized coating file history, oversee coating test sample handling and storage.
  • Understand and use existing / new metrology methods to characterize thin film designs and manufacturing performance.
  • Perform optics Coating Inspection (CI) function as required for new projects including as-received quality inspection, pre-coat cleaning, post-coat inspection and packaging.
  • Assist in transfer knowledge of new coating processes into manufacturing. Provide training as needed. Author work instructions, process sheets, and demonstrate measurement methods for new products.
  • Engage with Mechanical Design team to design and fabricate prototype and production optical element tooling, customized coating chamber hardware, and metrology tools.
  • Work to improve cleaning, material handling, and storage procedures within the coating process flow.
  • Utilize Design for Manufacturing principles to determine optimal manufacturing strategies and Manufacturing Engineering Excellence (MEE) practices into thin film product and process work.
  • Contribute to and document activities furthering coating technology via internal reports, invention disclosures, and patent applications.
Required Education and Experience:
  • 2-year technical degree in engineering, optics, or physics related field of study.
  • Minimum 2 - 3 years of optical thin film coating experience (manufacturing and testing), preferably in the UV and visible wavelength ranges.
Desired Skills and Experience:
  • Strong written and oral communication skills.
  • Critical thinking to solve problems quickly and efficiently.
  • Knowledge of FilmStar thin film design and measurement software.
  • Thin film characterization - spectrophotometer, ellipsometer, MIL spec testing.
  • Electron beam, thermal evaporation, and ion-assisted deposition. High-vacuum practice; vacuum chamber operation, system control, and support equipment.
  • Understanding of optical substrate materials; optics handling, cleaning, and inspecting.
  • Contamination control and cleanroom operations.
  • Excellent mechanical ability. Familiar with mechanical design and fabrication techniques. Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings and specifications.
  • A genuine manufacturing thought approach, and the associated level of urgency needed to support manufacturing, when required.
  • Able to effectively collaborate at a higher level with a multi-disciplinary team engineers and technicians across Engineering, Development, and Manufacturing functions to execute on new coating ideas and concepts.
Travel Requirements:
  • Less than 10%. Typical travel includes training, networking opportunities, customer visits, technical conferences, and benchmarking activities as required.
Hours of work:
  • Typical first shift production hours, M - F, 8AM - 5PM. Extra and off-hours may be required during times of heightened project activity to meet deliverables.
This position does not support immigration sponsorship. The range for this position is $60,821.00 - $83,629.00 assuming full time status. Starting pay for the successful applicant is dependent on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education. A job that shapes a life. Corning offers you the total package. Your well-being is our priority. Our compensation and benefits package supports your health and wellness, financial aspirations, and career from day one.
  • Company-wide bonuses and long-term incentives align with key business results and ensure you are rewarded when the company performs well. When Corning wins, we all win.
  • As part of our commitment to your financial well-being, we provide a 100% company-paid pension benefit with fixed contributions that grow throughout your career. Combined with matching contributions to your 401(k) savings plan, Corning's total contributions to your retirement accounts can reach between 7% and 12% of your pay, depending on your age and years of service.
  • Our health and well-being benefits include medical, dental, vision, paid parental leave, family building support, fitness, company-paid life insurance, disability, disease management programs, paid time off, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support you and your family.
  • Getting paid for our work is important, but feeling appreciated and recognized for those contributions motivates us much more. That's why Corning offers a recognition program to celebrate successes and reward colleagues who make exceptional contributions.
We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected status. Corning is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and considers requests for reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable laws. Individuals with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs may request reasonable accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, perform essential job functions, or access other benefits and privileges of employment. To submit a request for reasonable accommodation related to disability or religion, please contact us at .

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