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Thin Film Coating Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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• Entry level thin film coating engineer • Work with senior engineering support to design, prototype, and produce thin film products • Provide engineering support to production team • Monitor ...

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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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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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Thin Film Coating Engineer information

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$75.5K

$100.3K

$122.5K

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

As of Jul 31, 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.
More about Thin Film Coating Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Thin Film Coating Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Thin Film Coating Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Thin Film Coating Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Thin Film Coating Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Thin Film Coating Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Thin Film Coating Engineer jobs are:
Infographic showing various Thin Film Coating Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 92% Full Time, 2% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 3% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,319 per year, or $48.2 per hour.

Thin Film Coating Engineer or Optical Coating Engineer

Chipton Ross Inc.

Santa Rosa, CA • On-site

$35 - $38/hr

Contractor

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted yesterday

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Job description

HIRING NOW-APPLY HERE

AEROSPACE

Entry Level




12-month renewable contract in Santa Rosa, CA.

Thin Film Coating Engineer or Optical Coating Engineer

Chipton-Ross is seeking a Film Coating Engineer or Optical Coating Engineer Level 1 Materials Engineer for a contract opportunity in Santa Rosa, CA.

 

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS (REQUIRED SKILLS/EXPERIENCE):

• Degree in Material Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Physics or related technical discipline

• Intermediate-to-advanced written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to communicate effectively with customers, vendors and colleagues at all levels within the organization

• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite

• Interest in Advanced Materials design and manufacturing

• 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 thin film products

• Provide engineering support to production team

• Monitor and interpret in process and post production metrology

REQUIRED EDUCATION:

• Accredited Bachelor's Degree in Material Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Physics or related technical discipline.

WORK HOURS:

•4/10

Hourly pay rate is: $35.00-$38.00

 

ADDITIONAL:

•Candidate must have the ability to obtain a secret clearance.

Company Description

Join Chipton-Ross, one of the nation's leading staffing firms supporting the aerospace, defense, engineering, and technology industries.

Chipton-Ross logo

About Chipton-Ross

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Chipton-Ross, based in El Segundo, California, is a leading provider of staffing and recruitment services in the US. The company is renowned for its specialization in fields like engineering, information technology, aircraft manufacturing, and other technical industries. Founded in 1983, Chipton-Ross has grown to become a recognized name in the national recruitment arena with a reputation for integrity, quality, and excellence in management. The company's mission is to provide cost-effective staffing solutions that allow their clients to maximize the power of their people, enhancing both perspective and productivity.

Industry

Recruiting and staffing services

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

El Segundo, CA, US

Year founded

1983