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Optical Thin Film Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Thin Film Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$100K - $140K/yr

As a Senior Thin Film Engineer at MKS Newport, you will partner with Thin Film Engineering to ... Developing, designing and optimizing optical thin film deposition processes to meet requirements ...

Senior Thin Film Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$100K - $140K/yr

As a Senior Thin Film Engineer at MKS Newport, you will partner with Thin Film Engineering to ... Developing, designing and optimizing optical thin film deposition processes to meet requirements ...

Thin Film Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

As a Thin Film Engineer at MKS Newport, you will partner with Thin Film Coating to design, develop ... Developing, designing and optimizing optical surface treatments and processes to meet requirements ...

Thin Film Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

As a Thin Film Engineer at MKS Newport, you will partner with Thin Film Coating to design, develop ... Developing, designing and optimizing optical surface treatments and processes to meet requirements ...

... Thin Film Engineering Technician to work with the R&D Engineering team on the design, hands-on ... Measure and evaluate coatings using optical and physical metrology tools (e.g., spectrophotometers ...

... Thin Film Engineering Technician to work with the R&D Engineering team on the design, hands-on ... Measure and evaluate coatings using optical and physical metrology tools (e.g., spectrophotometers ...

Staff Optical Coating Process Engineer

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$141K - $182K/yr

Programmable Logic Controllers, Agility HMI automation, process control interfaces, process control ... Understand Optical thin-film design theory and how to use Optical thin-film design codes for ...

Develop coating designs using optical modeling and thin-film design techniques * Analyze coating ... Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and production teams * Support prototype ...

New

S., Attalon engineers critical optical, laser, and coating technologies that enable systems to see ... Job Summary The Thin Film Technician provides technical support, under direct supervision, in all ...

S., Attalon engineers critical optical, laser, and coating technologies that enable systems to see ... Job Summary The Thin Film Technician provides technical support, under direct supervision, in all ...

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Optical Thin Film Engineer information

See salary details

$83K

$143.6K

$168.5K

How much do optical thin film engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for optical thin film engineer in the United States is $143,611.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $129,000.00 and $167,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an optical thin film engineer do?

An Optical Thin Film Engineer designs, develops, and optimizes thin film coatings used in optical systems, such as lenses, mirrors, and filters. They work with deposition techniques like evaporation, sputtering, or chemical vapor deposition to achieve precise optical properties. Their role involves simulation, characterization, and troubleshooting to ensure coatings meet performance specifications for applications in industries such as aerospace, telecommunications, and medical devices.

What are typical daily responsibilities for an optical thin film engineer?

As an Optical Thin Film Engineer, your daily responsibilities often include designing and simulating thin film coating stacks, setting up and optimizing deposition processes, and performing quality assurance measurements using advanced metrology equipment. You may also collaborate closely with R&D, manufacturing, and quality teams to troubleshoot issues and ensure products meet technical specifications. Regular tasks include maintaining documentation, analyzing test data, and suggesting continuous process improvements. This dynamic role offers hands-on lab work alongside opportunities for cross-functional teamwork and technical innovation.

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

To thrive as an Optical Thin Film Engineer, you need a solid background in physics, materials science, and optical engineering, typically supported by a relevant bachelor’s or advanced degree. Familiarity with thin film deposition techniques (such as sputtering or evaporation), optical simulation software (like TFCalc or FilmStar), and experience using metrology tools are highly valuable. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills are important soft skills for collaborating across multidisciplinary teams. These skills and qualities are crucial to ensure reliable design, fabrication, and testing of high-performance optical coatings meeting stringent industry standards.

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Infographic showing various Optical Thin Film Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $143,611 per year, or $69 per hour.

Materials Engineer - Thin Film / Optical Coatings

SNI Companies

Santa Rosa, CA • On-site

Other

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

We are seeking an experienced Materials Engineer with strong expertise in thin-film materials, optical coatings, and thin-film deposition processes. The ideal candidate will have extensive hands-on experience with sputtering and evaporation processes used to manufacture optical thin-film products. This position will serve as a senior technical resource supporting multiple projects and will work closely with Program Managers, manufacturing teams, customers, vendors, and engineering personnel.