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Thin Film Coating Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Attalon, Inc.

Lead Coating Engineer

San Pablo, CA · On-site

$100K - $178K/yr

Lead Coating Engineer Job Details The Optical Coating Engineer leads the technical team and drives ... Hands-on experience with thin film deposition technologies (thermal and e‑beam evaporation ...

Plug Power, Inc.

Sr. Coating Engineer

Rochester, NY

$95K - $142K/yr

Sr. Coating Engineer Status: Exempt (salaried) Department: Operations Position Summary The Sr. ... Evaluate and maintain thin film coating, conveyance, and drying processes; applying knowledge of ...

Syntec Optics

Coating Engineer

Rochester, NY · On-site

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 ...

IDEX Corporation

Senior Coating Engineer

Albuquerque, NM · On-site

$101K - $139K/yr

Serve as the technical subject matter expert for optical coatings, thin film technologies, and ... Represent coating engineering in customer technical discussions, issue resolution activities ...

IDEX

Senior Coating Engineer

Albuquerque, NM · On-site

$101K - $139K/yr

Serve as the technical subject matter expert for optical coatings, thin film technologies, and ... Represent coating engineering in customer technical discussions, issue resolution activities ...

MKS Instruments, Inc.

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, manufacture and test optical surface treatments. In this role, you will report to the Director of ...

MKS Instruments, Inc.

Thin Film Engineer

Irvine, CA

$80K - $100K/yr

As a Thin Film Engineer at MKS Newport, you will partner with Thin Film Coating to design, develop, manufacture and test optical surface treatments. In this role, you will report to the Director of ...

Materion Corporation

Thin Film Engineer

Westford, MA · On-site +1

Thin Film Engineers will be exposed to optical coating design, generation of detailed manufacturing plans and maintenance of existing PVD processes. Ideal candidates must possess strong technical ...

Chipton Ross

Materials Engineer

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$38/hr

Experience working in a demanding team oriented environment POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES * Entry level thin film coating engineer * Work with senior engineering support to design, prototype, and produce ...

Materion

Thin Film Engineer

Westford, MA · On-site

Thin Film Engineers will be exposed to optical coating design, generation of detailed manufacturing plans and maintenance of existing PVD processes. Ideal candidates must possess strong technical ...

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All JobsThin Film Coating Engineer Jobs

Thin Film Coating Engineer information

See salary details

$75.5K

$100.3K

$122.5K

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

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for thin film coating engineer in the United States is $100,319.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,500.00 and $109,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a thin film coating engineer do?

A Thin Film Coating Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing thin film deposition processes used to create specialized coatings on materials and components. These coatings are often applied to enhance properties such as durability, reflectivity, conductivity, or resistance to corrosion. The engineer works with advanced equipment like vacuum chambers and sputtering systems, conducts testing and quality control, and troubleshoots issues to ensure the coatings meet strict specifications. Thin film coatings are widely used in industries such as electronics, optics, aerospace, and renewable energy.

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

A Thin Film Coating Engineer needs a solid background in materials science, physics, or engineering, often with a relevant bachelor's or advanced degree. Familiarity with deposition systems (such as PVD, CVD), vacuum equipment, and characterization tools, along with certifications in cleanroom or safety protocols, is highly valuable. Attention to detail, strong problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help engineers excel in troubleshooting and cross-functional collaboration. These competencies are crucial to ensuring precise coating processes, high product quality, and innovation in advanced manufacturing environments.

What is the difference between Thin Film Coating Engineer vs Coatings Technician?

AspectThin Film Coating EngineerCoatings Technician
CredentialsBachelor's degree in materials science, engineering, or related fieldHigh school diploma or associate degree, specialized training
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, manufacturing facilities, R&D departmentsProduction lines, coating application areas, maintenance settings
Industry UsageDesigning and developing coating processes, quality controlApplying coatings, equipment setup, routine maintenance

The main difference is that Thin Film Coating Engineers focus on designing, developing, and improving coating processes, often requiring higher education and analytical skills. Coatings Technicians typically handle the application and maintenance of coatings in production settings, with more hands-on work and less emphasis on process development.

How does a thin film coating engineer typically collaborate with other departments during the product development process?

Thin Film Coating Engineers frequently work alongside R&D, quality assurance, and production teams to ensure coatings meet both performance and manufacturing requirements. They participate in cross-functional meetings, share technical insights on material properties, and help troubleshoot issues that arise during scale-up. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as the engineer must often explain technical concepts to non-specialists and incorporate feedback to optimize coating processes. This collaborative environment enables continuous improvement and successful product launches.
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Thin Film Coating Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Thin Film Coating 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 $100,319 per year, or $48.2 per hour.

Lead Coating Engineer

Attalon, Inc.

San Pablo, CA • On-site

$100K - $178K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago

Job description

Attalon / Location Overview

The Attalon Integrated Optical Systems business unit is a precision optics and optical assemblies design and manufacturing group that specializes in ultra-precision optical components and coatings. Applications include semiconductor and flat-panel display manufacturing, ground and space-based telescopes, defense systems and other exotic scientific and government-sponsored programs. We are seeking an experienced Optical Coating Engineer to join our team!

Lead Coating Engineer

Job Details

The Optical Coating Engineer leads the technical team and drives the design, development, and implementation of new thin‑film coating products and manufacturing processes. This role covers all aspects of coating engineering, including coating and tooling design, process development, qualification, documentation, and hands‑on support of coating operations such as substrate preparation, deposition, inspection, and characterization. The engineer also serves as the Process Owner, ensuring robust process controls, troubleshooting equipment issues, and maintaining consistent, high‑quality production output.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the design, development, and execution of thin‑film deposition processes; ensure designs meet customer requirements and create supporting documentation, test procedures, BOMs, and work instructions.
  • Troubleshoot coating‑operation issues, identify root causes using analytical techniques, and provide clear corrective action updates.
  • Develop methods and operate precision optical test equipment to measure thin‑film coating properties.
  • Assist in designing and procuring tooling for coating processes.
  • Support maintenance teams in developing and implementing preventive maintenance and repair procedures.
  • Collaborate with Quality, Engineering, Program Management, and Operations to deliver projects on time and with high quality.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree in physics, optics, materials science, or engineering
  • Minimum of 7 years of related experience, preferably in thin film coating engineering and at an aerospace company. 5 years with an advanced degree

Preferred Qualifications

  • Hands-on experience with thin film deposition technologies (thermal and e‑beam evaporation, sputtering, CVD) and related tooling design; strong understanding of process physics and mechanics.
  • Experience with thin film modeling software (TFCalc, Macleod, etc.).
  • Proficiency with MS Word, Excel, Access, and basic CAD (SolidWorks preferred).
  • Strong technical communication skills, both verbal and written.
  • Ability to read and interpret shop blueprints and customer drawings.
  • Experience with process design, development, and project planning (preferred).

For California, the salary pay range for this role is $100,625.00 - 178,050.00
Please note this range is provided as a general guideline. When determining an offer, Attalon takes into account multiple factors, including (but not limited to) the responsibilities of the position, your professional experience, education and training, specialized skills, and current market and business conditions.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Attalon, Inc. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.


Export Control Compliance

This role involves access to technology, materials, software, or hardware subject to U.S. export control laws. Therefore, to be considered, candidates must be classified as a “U.S. Person” under applicable regulations or be eligible for authorization under a U.S. government export license.