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Optical Thin Film Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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

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 ...

Support current and develop new implementations of software supporting production optical thin film ... Collaborates with Thin Film Engineering team and incorporates feedback into current and future ...

As a member of the Advanced Optics Division Engineering Optical Thin Film Coating group, you will define and develop optical thin film coatings and manufacturing processes that build on Corning ...

The Coating Engineer provides engineering support for vacuum thin-film coating processes used in the manufacturing of optical components. This role working closely with other engineers and ...

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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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Cities with the most Optical Thin Film Engineer job openings:

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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.

Photolithography/Thin Film Coating Manufacturing Engineer/ Entry-Level-Orlando, Florida

LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION

Lake Butler, FL • On-site

$67K - $117K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Support manufacturing processes of optics, with an emphasis on photolithography and/or thin film coatings.

  • Design and develop optical coatings to be deposited on lenses and windows.

  • Define the parameters of equipment for the processes and define maintenance items for supporting the equipment.


Lockheed Martin rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 397 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

38th of 72 rated aerospace companies


Job description

Standard Job Description
Performs in a collaborative environment to develop and implement manufacturing processes, procedures and production layouts for assemblies, equipment installation, processing, fabrication, and material handling. Drives adoption of new technologies and processes (automation, robotics, computer aided manufacturing software, etc.) to achieve greater efficiency, cost reduction and quality improvement. Creates and analyzes 3D based model data environment to optimize manufacturing process and digital work instructions. Leverages understanding of materials and automatic processes to define operations procedures and build sequences to drive operational excellence. Evaluates performance (including IoT devices, etc.) of equipment and tools to verify their efficiency and investigates and initiates corrective action of problems and deficiencies to ensure operational excellence. Leverages factory data to develop statistical process control approaches and integrates reporting and data analytics solutions for continuous improvement. Provides input to product design regarding design concepts and specification requirements to best utilize equipment and manufacturing techniques.
You will be the Photolithography/Thin Film Coating Manufacturing Engineer for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, working in the Optical Components Center (OCC) in Orlando, FL. Our team is responsible for designing, developing, and supporting the production life-cycle of electromagnetic grids and thin film coatings for various optical systems, and we're looking for a talented Manufacturing Engineer to join our team.
This position is for first shift, Tuesday to Friday (4/10B)
What You Will Be Doing
As the Photolithography/Thin Film Coating Manufacturing Engineer, you will be responsible for supporting manufacturing processes of optics, with an emphasis on photolithography and/or thin film coatings. You will design and develop optical coatings to be deposited on lenses and windows, and define the parameters of equipment for the processes. You will also perform characterization of the deposited coatings and analyze data, and provide technical guidance to operators.
  • Supporting manufacturing processes of optics, with an emphasis on photolithography and/or thin film coatings
  • Designing and developing optical coatings to be deposited on lenses and windows
  • Defining the parameters of equipment for the processes and defining maintenance items for supporting the equipment
  • Performing characterization of the deposited coatings and analyzing data
  • Providing technical guidance to operators and developing and managing work instructions
  • Investigating defective hardware and implementing corrective actions to prevent defects from occurring
  • Driving the adoption of new technologies to improve efficiency and quality
  • Support manufacturing processes of optics, with an emphasis on photolithography and/or thin film coatings.
  • Design and develop the optical coatings to be deposited on lenses and windows.
  • Define the parameters of equipment for the processes and define the maintenance items for supporting the equipment for product sustainment.
  • Perform characterization of the deposited coatings and analyze data.
  • Provide technical guidance to operators and effectively communicate the processes in work instructions. Develop and manage work instructions.
  • Investigate defective hardware and provide next steps to get the hardware back into production and implement corrective actions that will prevent defect from occurring.
  • Drive the adoption of new technologies (capital investments, automation, robotics) to improve efficiency and quality.

Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related discipline from an accredited college.
Must have skills, experience and/or course work in one OR more of the following categories:
• Thin film
• Coatings
• Photolithography
• Optics
Experience or basic training in at least one
programming language for data analysis:
• Python
• Matlab
• Excel VBA
Microsoft Office software experience
Must be a U.S. citizen and have the ability to obtain a
security clearance.
Desired Skills
Breadth in skills, experience and/or course work across multiple disciplines of manufacturing engineering is strongly desired. Examples include but not limited to: writing/reviewing work instructions (or standard operating procedure manuals), data analytics, automation, mechanical design of equipment or supporting tools, maintaining the product lifecycle, and working in a clean room environment.
Candidates with thin film coating specialization will have skills and/or experience in the design, manufacturing (physical vapor deposition, ion beam sputtering, chemical vapor deposition), and metrology of optical thin film coatings.
Candidates with photolithography specialization will have skills and/or experience with semiconductor fabrication processes (wafer preparation, coating, exposure, development, and etching) and with photolithography equipment (steppers, scanners, and track system).
Knowledge of process control techniques, including statistical process control (SPC), control charts, and yield enhancement.
Having strong time management skills (ability to adjust priorities), ability to work independently, and able to communicate effectively with cross-functional teams are critical skills to support on the floor production.
Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $70500.00 - $130900.00
At Lockheed Martin, we know mission success starts with taking care of our people. Our Total Rewards program is designed to attract top talent, support your well-being, and help you grow-both professionally and personally.
The salary range for this position is as listed on the requisition. Please note that the salary information listed is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market(work location) and business considerations when extending an offer.
Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible work arrangements and schedules (e.g., 4x10), 401(k) match, Paid time off, Holidays, Parental Leave, EAP, Flexible Spending Accounts, Education Assistance, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability.
  • Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs may be offered depending on the position. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and can vary from year to year and are tied to a range of performance metrics.
  • For (Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.

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About Lockheed Martin

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As a global security and aerospace company, the majority of Lockheed Martin's business is with the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. federal government agencies.The remaining portion of Lockheed Martin's business is comprised of international government and commercial sales of products, services and platforms.

Industry

Manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Bethesda, MD, US

Year founded

1912