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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 ...

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Optical Thin Film Engineer information

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$83K

$143.6K

$168.5K

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

As of Sep 6, 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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What cities are hiring for Optical Thin Film Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Optical Thin Film Engineer job openings:

What states have the most Optical Thin Film Engineer jobs?

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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.

Senior Thin Film Engineer

MKS Instruments, Inc.

Irvine, CA • On-site

$100K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 2 days ago


Job description

A Day in Your Life at MKS:
As a Senior Thin Film Engineer at MKS Newport, you will partner with Thin Film Engineering to develop, support execute and maintain coating designs and processes. In this role, you will report to the Director of Thin Film Engineering.
You Will Make an Impact By:

  • Developing, designing and optimizing optical thin film deposition processes to meet requirements and specifications, for ion beam sputtering, ion assist and electron beam coating processes for our thin film coatings group
  • Working closely with design engineers and technicians to resolve technical issues, troubleshooting and characterization of coating chambers processes
  • Characterizing the equipment and coating process, and working with the team to reduce downtime
  • Managing defect issues, implementing root cause solutions to those issues, and continuously promote improvement, quality and cost
  • Supporting the team with process documentation, training and formalizing work instruction documents
  • Supporting the coating process and training of technicians and machine maintenance personnel


Skills You Bring:

  • Bachelor Degree in Materials Science, Physics or Engineering with 3-5 years of in-depth experience in a thin film manufacturing environment
  • Correlating thin film performance with deposition chamber hardware and processes
  • Experience troubleshooting and problem solving thin film processes
  • Strong communication skills
  • Proficiency using Microsoft Excel & PowerPoint


Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

  • Must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time and climb stairs
  • Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery
  • Occasionally moves/positions up to 10 pounds
  • This job operates in a professional office and laboratory environment

We are interested in a qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we will not be sponsoring work visas for this position, at this time.

Compensation and Benefits:
Salary Pay Range: $100,000 to $140,000 per year. This range is a good faith estimate of the expected salary range for this position, based on a wide range of factors including qualifications, experience and training, operational and business needs and other considerations permitted by law.At MKS, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for the role.

Bonus: This position is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, in an amount to be determined by MKS [or as applicable].

Benefits: MKS offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance coverage (medical, dental and vision), 401(k) with company match, life and disability insurance, 12 paid holidays, sick time, 15 paid vacation days, [6 weeks fully paid] parental leave, adoption assistance and tuition reimbursement [and for participation in any stock programs, signing bonus, etc.].

MKS is an equal opportunity employer, including disability, veteran status and all categories protected by law. Please review our EOE statements for additional details.

MKS will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act and the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers.

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Globally, our policy is to recruit individuals from wide and diverse backgrounds. However, certain positions require access to controlled goods and technologies subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Applicants for these positions may need to be "U.S. persons." "U.S. persons" are generally defined as U.S. citizens, noncitizen nationals, lawful permanent residents (or, green card holders), individuals granted asylum, and individuals admitted as refugees.

MKS Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries ("MKS") is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer: diverse candidates are encouraged to apply. We win as a team and are committed to recruiting and hiring qualified applicants regardless of race, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), religion, age, ancestry, physical or mental disability or handicap, marital status, membership in the uniformed services, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law. Hiring decisions are based on merit, qualifications and business needs. We conduct background checks and drug screens, in accordance with applicable law and company policies. MKS is generally only hiring candidates who reside in states where we are registered to do business.

MKS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process due to a disability, please contact us at:accommodationsatMKS@mksinst.com.

If applying for a specific job, please include the requisition number (ex: RXXXX), the title and location of the role