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Surface Engineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

LAM RESEARCH Corporation

Process Engineer 6

Fremont, CA · On-site

$110 - $150/hr

... surface engineering to push technical boundaries. Your role involves developing new and advanced process formulations, defining equipment hardware to meet processing requirements, evaluating test ...

Lam Research

Computational Senior Engineer

Fremont, CA · On-site

$119K - $261K/yr

... surface engineering to push technical boundaries. Your role involves identifying new and advanced processes and chemical formulations. Your expertise and knowledge will play a crucial role in our ...

Lam Research Corporation

Process Engineer 3

Fremont, CA · On-site

$86K - $192K/yr

... surface engineering to push technical boundaries. Your role involves developing new and advanced process formulations, defining equipment hardware to meet processing requirements, evaluating test ...

Lam Research

Process Engineer 3

Fremont, CA

$86K - $192K/yr

... surface engineering to push technical boundaries. Your role involves developing new and advanced process formulations, defining equipment hardware to meet processing requirements, evaluating test ...

Lam Research

Process Engineer 4

Fremont, CA

$104K - $231K/yr

... surface engineering to push technical boundaries. Your role involves developing new and advanced process formulations, defining equipment hardware to meet processing requirements, evaluating test ...

Collective

Fullstack Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$100 - $150/hr

Partner with Product, Design, and Operations to translate accounting workflows into clean software, and surface engineering tradeoffs early * Use AI‑powered development tools (copilots, code agents ...

Mattson Technology

Sr. Director, NPI

Fremont, CA · On-site

Innovations from Mattson Technology in Atomic Surface Engineering address the most critical logic and memory manufacturing challenges. In May 2016, Mattson Technology was acquired by Beijing's E-Town ...

Mattson Technology, Inc.

Sr. Director, NPI

Fremont, CA · On-site

Innovations from Mattson Technology in Atomic Surface Engineering address the most critical logic and memory manufacturing challenges. In May 2016, Mattson Technology was acquired by Beijing's E-Town ...

Lam Research Corporation

Process Engineer 5

Fremont, CA · On-site

... surface engineering to solve problems that define what's next. You'll own critical process development from concept to customer-ready performance: creating advanced process formulations, shaping ...

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Surface Engineering information

See California salary details

$12

$31

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How much do surface engineering jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for surface engineering in California is $31.14, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.90 and $37.50 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is surface engineering?

Surface engineering is a multidisciplinary field focused on modifying and improving the properties of surfaces of materials, such as metals, ceramics, or polymers, to enhance their performance and durability. Techniques like coating, plating, and thermal treatments are used to provide resistance against wear, corrosion, oxidation, and other surface-related failures. Surface engineering is widely applied in industries such as automotive, aerospace, electronics, and biomedical devices. The goal is to extend the lifespan and functionality of components while reducing maintenance costs and resource consumption.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a surface engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Surface Engineer, you need a solid background in materials science, surface treatments, and engineering principles, often supported by a degree in materials, mechanical, or chemical engineering. Proficiency with analytical tools such as scanning electron microscopes (SEM), surface profilometers, and familiarity with relevant industry standards or certifications (e.g., ISO, ASTM) is essential. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication enable collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and clients. These competencies ensure high-quality surface solutions, product durability, and innovation in various industrial applications.

What are some common challenges faced by surface engineers when developing coatings for industrial applications?

Surface engineers often encounter challenges such as ensuring the durability and adhesion of coatings under harsh operating conditions, selecting materials that meet both performance and cost requirements, and troubleshooting unexpected failures like corrosion or wear. Balancing the need for innovative solutions with strict industry standards and environmental regulations can also be demanding. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, including materials scientists and process engineers, is key to addressing these technical and practical challenges efficiently.

What does a surface engineer do?

A surface engineer specializes in modifying and improving the surface properties of materials to enhance their performance, durability, and resistance to wear, corrosion, or fatigue. They often work with techniques such as coating, polishing, and surface treatments, using tools like microscopy and testing equipment, and may require knowledge of materials science and certifications in relevant processes.

What are popular job titles related to Surface Engineering jobs in California?

For Surface Engineering jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Surface Engineering jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Surface Engineering jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Surface Engineering jobs?

Cities in California with the most Surface Engineering job openings:

Surface Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Surface Engineering job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 3% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,765 per year, or $31.1 per hour.

Technical Support Engineer 4

Mattson Technology

Fremont, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago

Job description


About Mattson
Company: Mattson Technology, Inc., a 38-year Silicon Valley company, designs, manufactures, markets, and globally supports plasma and rapid thermal processing equipment to fabricate integrated circuits for the global semiconductor industry.
Mattson Technology, Inc. offers processing equipment that utilizes innovative technologies to deliver advanced processing capabilities and high productivity for the fabrication of current and next-generation integrated circuits. Our equipment and technologies are used by leading memory and logic, analog /power device manufacturers worldwide. Innovations from Mattson Technology in Atomic Surface Engineering address the most critical logic and memory manufacturing challenges.
In May 2016, Mattson Technology was acquired by Beijing's E-Town Capital. Our new investor's vision is that Mattson Technology, with its Silicon Valley DNA, will continue to operate as a global, market-driven technology provider serving worldwide semiconductor manufacturing customers. In July, 2025, the company successfully listed in Shanghai's STAR Exchange. As the external trade compliance environment evolves, Mattson Technology now operates independently from the parent company in product, business, and operations, serving customers outside of China.
Key Responsibilities:
• Interface with engineering departments
• Participates in product review meetings
• Review of product release notes
• Plan all TS related tasks via Product Group roadmap or schedule
• Identify tool reliability needs and participate and drive reliability improvement program within the department
• Drive system data collection and provide monthly report
• Collaborate with relevant product changes, improvement, and releases including ECR and CIP
• Drive warranty costs control
• Measure cost of warranty in terms of dollar and labor hours
• Conduct regular warranty meetings and provides meeting minutes
• Initiate appropriate actions to ensure continuous improvement of tool warranty
• Collect warranty data and report metrics to management
• Work with field and Division to manage escalations for tools under warranty from beginning to end
• Involved in weekly communication and conference calls with field personnel and drives action items to closure
• Participate in CAI and CREQ review board meeting
• Coordinate CES for skills readiness and prevent installation delay
• Can represent his/her manager in customer meetings and report customer feedback.
• Identifies possible technical problems for tools
• Identifies parts list and parts usage for tools
• Other duties as assigned
Requirements:
• 5+ years of experience in Systems Engineering
• Bachelor's degree in an engineering field (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical) or physical science (Physics, Chemistry)
• Advanced degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical or physical science (Physics, Chemistry) preferred
• Experience optimizing a product from prototype to a reliable, manufacturable product
• Experience in the design or final test of semiconductor plasma chambers
• Hands-on engineering skills, e.g. using common lab tools such as an oscilloscope and troubleshooting complex equipment, system, instrument, or device
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Project management skills

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