1

Thin Film Coating Process Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... processes. In this role, you will operate vacuum chambers to deposit multilayer thin film optical ... engineering, production management Compensation and Benefits: Hourly Pay Range : $35 - $59 per hour.

Coating Technician 5

Milpitas, CA ยท On-site

$35 - $59/hr

... processes. In this role, you will operate vacuum chambers to deposit multilayer thin film optical ... engineering, production management Compensation and Benefits: Hourly Pay Range : $35 - $59 per hour.

... processes. In this role, you will operate vacuum chambers to deposit multilayer thin film optical ... engineering, production management Compensation and Benefits: Hourly Pay Range : $35 - $59 per hour.

Microelectronics Thin Film Growth Research Engineer Apex Microdevices is seeking an entry-level ... Processing Research Team within the Foundational Technologies Directorate (former Materials and ...

Process Engineer - Chicago, IL Are you passionate about technology and process improvement? Do you ... PVD Coating * thin film coating * vacuum coating field * value stream mapping Machines ...

Process Engineer

West Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$85K - $100K/yr

Process Engineer - Chicago, IL Are you passionate about technology and process improvement? Do you ... PVD Coating * thin film coating * vacuum coating field * value stream mapping Machines ...

Accept responsibility for the quality of the thin film coating process and equipment assigned ... Provide engineering support with timely, accurate information * Attend and participate in daily ...

Showing results 41-60

Thin Film Coating Process Engineer information

See salary details

$75.5K

$100.3K

$122.5K

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

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for thin film coating process 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 process engineer do?

A Thin Film Coating Process Engineer develops, optimizes, and manages processes for applying thin film coatings to materials or products. They work with technologies like physical vapor deposition (PVD) or chemical vapor deposition (CVD) to achieve desired material properties such as conductivity, reflectivity, or durability. Their responsibilities often include process design, troubleshooting, quality control, and collaborating with other engineers or technicians to ensure consistent production and high-quality results.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a thin film coating process engineer?

To thrive as a Thin Film Coating Process Engineer, you typically need a degree in materials science, physics, chemistry, or a related engineering field, along with strong knowledge of thin film deposition techniques. Familiarity with tools such as sputtering systems, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) equipment, and process control software is important, as are certifications in cleanroom safety or Six Sigma. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork and communication skills help you excel in process optimization and troubleshooting. These competencies are crucial for ensuring high-quality film production, maintaining yield, and driving innovation in manufacturing environments.

What are some common challenges thin film coating process engineers face when optimizing coating processes for new materials?

Thin Film Coating Process Engineers often encounter challenges such as achieving uniform film thickness, minimizing defects like pinholes or delamination, and ensuring repeatable results when working with new materials. These challenges require a strong understanding of both the material properties and the capabilities of deposition equipment. Engineers may need to experiment with process parameters, collaborate with R&D and quality teams, and use advanced characterization tools to troubleshoot and optimize the coating process.

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

AspectThin Film Coating Process EngineerCoatings Technician
CredentialsBachelor's degree in materials science, chemical engineering, or related field; often requires experience in thin film processesHigh school diploma or associate degree; technical training in coating application
Work EnvironmentDesigning, developing, and optimizing coating processes in labs or manufacturing facilitiesApplying coatings on products in production lines or labs
Industry UsageUsed in electronics, optics, and advanced manufacturing sectorsCommon in industrial coating applications across various manufacturing industries

The main difference is that the Thin Film Coating Process Engineer focuses on developing and improving coating processes, requiring technical expertise and design skills, while the Coatings Technician primarily applies coatings in production settings, focusing on execution and quality control.

More about Thin Film Coating Process Engineer jobs

What cities are hiring for Thin Film Coating Process Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Thin Film Coating Process Engineer job openings:

What states have the most Thin Film Coating Process Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Thin Film Coating Process Engineer jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Thin Film Coating Process Engineer jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Thin Film Coating Process Engineer jobs are:

Infographic showing various Thin Film Coating Process Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,319 per year, or $48.2 per hour.

Staff Optical Coating Process Engineer

II-VI Incorporated

Santa Rosa, CA โ€ข On-site

$141K - $182K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 28 days ago


Job description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

  • Have in-depth knowledge of reactive magnetron sputtering processes and their relationship to thin-film growth processes sufficient to understand their effects on optical, structural and mechanical properties of multilayer thin films.
  • Have sufficient analytical knowledge of automated thin film vacuum sputter deposition chamber operation to support Process change decisions regarding; Programmable Logic Controllers, Agility HMI automation, process control interfaces, process control setup, laser monitoring, Manufacturing execution system and database interface.ย 
  • Have in depth knowledge and experience with vacuum equipment including, pumps, valves, feedthroughs, Mass flow valves, pressure gauges, magnetron cathodes, heaters and heat control systems.
  • Understand Optical thin-film design theory and how to use Optical thin-film design codes for characterizing manufacturing errors.ย Working knowledge of basic design building blocks, effective indices and the various applications of symmetric design components.
  • Analytical knowledge of automated Optical monitoring systems used for accurate layer thickness control of coatings with as many as 400 layers and synchronous control of deposition process.
  • Ability to interpret and analyze data from radiometric fiber optic measurement system utilizing grin lenses and tunable laser sources.ย 
  • Working together with engineers in a team environment where project actions are interdependent upon multiple team members where shared ideas may be accepted or challenged in an effort to achieve the best outcome for all.
  • Responsible for daily decisions on process, product and equipment problems and their impact on production costs and on-time delivery commitments.
  • Develop new tools and processes for manufacturing new products and integrate them into the manufacturing systems.
  • Interact closely with the Manufacturing team to monitor and clarify procedures.
  • Support Planning and Manufacturing to optimize product flow, throughput and on-time delivery goals.
  • Perform continuous process improvement and development of tools to assist engineering and manufacturing in evaluation of processes, diagnosis of equipment failures, product and business.ย Support decisions using measurable statistics.
  • Maintain and optimize predictive tools to maximize run yields and minimize downtime.
  • Perform product qualifications for new products or for specified process changes
  • Write or modify work instructions for tasks associated with coating processes, measurement instrumentation and software tool utilized by technicians.
  • Participate in major development efforts driven by Management and work together with Senior engineers to identify how to best support the effort
  • Communicate well with outside vendors and customers, fostering good working relationships.

Education & Experience

  • BS degree or higher in Engineering, Physics or related field
  • 5 years of professional optical coating process engineering in manufacturing.

Skills

  • In depth knowledge of reactive magnetron sputter deposition processes, thin film growth processes and their interrelationships
  • In depth knowledge of thin film design theory, thin film design code development and product application.
  • General knowledge of statistical software packages, interpretation of statistics and an ability to clearly communicate statistical results to others.
  • Experience Decreasing/Eliminating process variations using problem solving methodologies to; understand root causes, confirm hypotheses, implement resolutions, and optimize improvement
  • General knowledge optical thin film metrology for telecommunication filtersย 
  • Familiarity with Matlab/Visual Basic/Labview/Python codes for equipment control and data analysis and proficient in one of these languages.
  • Have proficient general computer skills. Some examples are; experience with commercial thin film software, and other programs, Word, Excel,ย power point etc.
  • Experience TFCALC preferred.

Working Conditions

  • Shift and 'on-call'ย workย may be required, particularly whereย manufacturing/productionย equipment is in continual 24-hour operation.

Physical Requirements

  • Able to lift and move up to 25lbs without assistancesย 

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

Quality and Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Cultureย Commitment

Ensure adherence to company's values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:

Integrity - Create an Environment of Trust

Collaboration - Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

Accountability - Own the Process and the Outcome

Respect - Recognize the Value in Everyone

Enthusiasm - Find a Sense of Purpose in Work


ย 

Coherent Corp. 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.


ย 

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at talentacquisition@coherent.com.


ย 

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!
Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.