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Optical Coating Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Muon Space

Senior Optical Engineer

Mountain View, CA

$166K - $223K/yr

Drive R&D initiatives to advance internal capabilities in novel coating technologies, filter ... Partner with optical and mechanical designers to iterate and optimize baffle designs, surface ...

Viavi Solutions

Manufacturing Engineer

Santa Rosa, CA

$79K - $102K/yr

Develop, implement, and optimize manufacturing processes for optical coating production, including thin-film deposition, cleaning, and inspection. * Design and execute experiments to identify ...

Viavi Solutions

Manufacturing Engineer

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$79K - $102K/yr

Develop, implement, and optimize manufacturing processes for optical coating production, including thin-film deposition, cleaning, and inspection. * Design and execute experiments to identify ...

Leidos

Senior Optical Engineer

Rancho Santa Fe, CA · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

The optical engineer will also contribute to responses for government-issued proposals related to ... Bandpass and AR coating development * Radiometric modeling * Manufacturing and assembly process ...

Leidos

Senior Optical Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

The optical engineer will also contribute to responses for government-issued proposals related to ... Bandpass and AR coating development * Radiometric modeling * Manufacturing and assembly process ...

Leidos

Senior Optical Engineer

El Cajon, CA · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

The optical engineer will also contribute to responses for government-issued proposals related to ... Bandpass and AR coating development * Radiometric modeling * Manufacturing and assembly process ...

Leidos

Senior Optical Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

The optical engineer will also contribute to responses for government-issued proposals related to ... Bandpass and AR coating development * Radiometric modeling * Manufacturing and assembly process ...

Leidos

Senior Optical Engineer

Chula Vista, CA · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

The optical engineer will also contribute to responses for government-issued proposals related to ... Bandpass and AR coating development * Radiometric modeling * Manufacturing and assembly process ...

Leidos

Senior Optical Engineer

Cardiff By The Sea, CA · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

The optical engineer will also contribute to responses for government-issued proposals related to ... Bandpass and AR coating development * Radiometric modeling * Manufacturing and assembly process ...

Leidos

Senior Optical Engineer

La Jolla, CA · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

The optical engineer will also contribute to responses for government-issued proposals related to ... Bandpass and AR coating development * Radiometric modeling * Manufacturing and assembly process ...

Leidos

Senior Optical Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

The optical engineer will also contribute to responses for government-issued proposals related to ... Bandpass and AR coating development * Radiometric modeling * Manufacturing and assembly process ...

Viavi Solutions

Manufacturing Engineer

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$79K - $102K/yr

Develop, implement, and optimize manufacturing processes for optical coating production, including thin-film deposition, cleaning, and inspection. * Design and execute experiments to identify ...

Leidos

Senior Optical Engineer

National City, CA · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

The optical engineer will also contribute to responses for government-issued proposals related to ... Bandpass and AR coating development * Radiometric modeling * Manufacturing and assembly process ...

Semtech

Backend Process Engineer

Alhambra, CA · On-site

$100K - $135K/yr

Familiarity with AR/HR optical coating processes * Experience supporting high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environments preferred The intent of this is to describe the major duties and ...

Semtech

Backend Process Engineer

Alhambra, CA · On-site

$100K - $135K/yr

Familiarity with AR/HR optical coating processes * Experience supporting high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environments preferred The intent of this is to describe the major duties and ...

Luminit

Optical Engineer, Holography Lab

Torrance, CA · On-site

$75K - $90K/yr

Cleanroom, thin-film, coating, or fabrication-process experience * MATLAB or Python for data ... advanced optical technologies used across automotive, aerospace, defense, and industrial ...

Muon Space

Senior Optical Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$166K - $223K/yr

Drive R&D initiatives to advance internal capabilities in novel coating technologies, filter ... Partner with optical and mechanical designers to iterate and optimize baffle designs, surface ...

Muon Space

Senior Optical Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site +1

$166K - $223K/yr

Drive R&D initiatives to advance internal capabilities in novel coating technologies, filter ... Partner with optical and mechanical designers to iterate and optimize baffle designs, surface ...

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Optical Coating information

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

To thrive as an Optical Coating Technician, you need knowledge of thin film deposition, precision measurement, and a background in physics or engineering, often supported by relevant technical certifications or an associate degree. Familiarity with vacuum coating systems, spectrophotometers, and cleanroom protocols is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills in this role. These skills ensure high-quality coatings, minimize defects, and support the production of advanced optical components for industries like aerospace, medical devices, and telecommunications.

What is the difference between Optical Coating vs Optical Technician?

AspectOptical CoatingOptical Technician
CredentialsCertifications in optics, coatings, or related fieldsHigh school diploma or technical training, certifications vary
Work EnvironmentCleanrooms, laboratories, manufacturing facilitiesOptical labs, manufacturing plants, repair shops
Industry UsageDesigning and applying coatings to lenses and optical componentsAssembling, testing, and repairing optical devices

Optical Coating specialists focus on applying specialized coatings to optical components to enhance performance, while Optical Technicians handle the assembly, testing, and maintenance of optical systems. Both roles require knowledge of optics but differ in responsibilities and work environments.

What is an optical coating technician?

Optical coating technicians are skilled professionals who apply thin layers of material onto optical components, such as lenses, mirrors, or filters, to alter their reflective, transmissive, or absorptive properties. These coatings can enhance the performance of optical devices by reducing glare, increasing light transmission, or providing protective barriers. Technicians use specialized equipment in cleanroom environments and follow precise processes to ensure high-quality coatings for applications in industries like photography, telecommunications, and medical devices.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in optical coating, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in optical coating often face challenges related to maintaining high precision and consistency in thin film deposition, as minor process variations can impact coating performance. Cleanroom environments and strict quality control protocols are essential to minimize contamination and defects. Working closely with engineers, quality assurance teams, and equipment technicians helps address technical issues quickly. Continuous training and familiarity with evolving coating technologies also support effective problem-solving and career development in this specialized field.
What are popular job titles related to Optical Coating jobs in California? For Optical Coating jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Optical Coating jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Optical Coating jobs in California are:
Optical Coating jobs near you
Infographic showing various Optical Coating job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% Internship, 88% Full Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Senior Optical Engineer

Muon Space

Mountain View, CA

$166K - $223K/yr

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

About the role

Muon seeks a Senior Optical Engineer to join our team developing infrared remote sensing instruments. You will own stray light control and analysis by defining precise requirements for optical components and surface treatments, and optimizing optical transmission via custom coatings and filter components. Because this role spans a unique intersection of specialties-rigorous stray light analysis, custom coating specification, and spectral filter development-we welcome candidates who bring deep expertise in a subset of these areas and possess the strong foundational engineering skills and appetite to grow into the others. In this role, you will drive both the analytical modeling of stray light and the hands-on R&D efforts to specify, procure, and validate complex thin-film coatings and optical filters. Previous experience in non-sequential ray tracing, thin-film design, or vendor technical management in a fast-paced environment is required.

Responsibilities
  • Perform comprehensive stray light analysis using FRED to quantify and mitigate out-of-field stray light, scatter, ghosting, and thermal self-emission across complex infrared optical assemblies.
  • Specify and analyze custom optical coatings and surface treatments to maximize transmission/reflectance and manage environmental durability for our multispectral IR instruments.
  • Serve as the primary technical liaison with specialized optical component vendors.
  • Drive R&D initiatives to advance internal capabilities in novel coating technologies, filter survivability in harsh environments (e.g., TVAC, radiation), and advanced optical materials.
  • Define test plans using metrology setups (e.g., spectrophotometry, scatterometry/BRDF measurements) to verify vendor deliverables and characterize component-level spectral and scatter performance.
  • Partner with optical and mechanical designers to iterate and optimize baffle designs, surface finishes, and optomechanical layouts based on rigorous stray light analysis.
Qualifications
  • B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in an engineering or physics field, or equivalent experience.
  • 5+ years of experience developing optical systems, specifically focused on stray light analysis, optical coatings, and component procurement.
  • Expertise in non-sequential ray tracing and stray light analysis software (e.g., FRED, LightTools).
  • Experience with thin-film coating design and analysis software (e.g., TFCalc, Essential Macleod, OptiLayer).
  • Proven track record of defining rigorous technical specifications for optical components and actively managing external vendors from concept through hardware delivery.
  • Hands-on experience with metrology equipment used to characterize optical coatings, filters, and scatter (e.g., spectrophotometers, scatterometers, ellipsometers, interferometers).
  • Software proficiency in one or more languages (e.g., Python, MATLAB) for data analysis, automation, and processing vendor test data.
  • Ability to obtain security clearance strongly preferred.
Nice-to-have Skills
  • Experience working in cleanroom environments and handling sensitive optical components.
  • Deep understanding of infrared materials and the impacts of cryogenic temperatures on optical coatings and filter center-wavelength shifts.
  • Exposure to systems engineering, specifically requirements development and radiometric error budgeting.
Salary

The salary range for this role is $166,000 - $223,000, plus a competitive equity grant and comprehensive benefits package. Final compensation will be determined based on skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location as assessed during the interview process. 

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