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Vacuum Coating Jobs (NOW HIRING)

MKS Instruments, Inc.

Coating Technician 5

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$35 - $59/hr

In this role, you will operate vacuum chambers to deposit multilayer thin film optical coatings. You will also maintain coating equipment and perform basic maintenance on equipment maintaining ...

MKS Instruments, Inc.

Coating Technician 5

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$59/hr

In this role, you will operate vacuum chambers to deposit multilayer thin film optical coatings. You will also maintain coating equipment and perform basic maintenance on equipment maintaining ...

Attalon, Inc.

Optical Coating Tech I

Murrieta, CA · On-site

$18.34 - $31.36/hr

... vacuum coating chambers, including cleaning, foiling, sandblasting, and installing system components. • Load optics into tooling or fixtures for coating and monitor deposition parameters during ...

apsTemps

PVD Coating Machine Technician

Oldsmar, FL

$17/hr

Operate vacuum coating chambers for coating precision parts. * Operate, light troubleshoot, and maintain PVD equipment and coating chambers. * Assist with grit blasting, cleaning, and fixturing parts ...

Teledyne

Coating Technician (2nd or 3rd Shift)

Freeport, PA · On-site

$15.75 - $20.75/hr

Prepare vacuum chambers for coating runs. * Monitor coating processes and record necessary run parameters. * Troubleshoot equipment or process issues. * Perform preventative maintenance on equipment.

Teledyne

Coating Technician (2nd or 3rd Shift)

Freeport, PA

$15.75 - $20.75/hr

Prepare vacuum chambers for coating runs. * Monitor coating processes and record necessary run parameters. * Troubleshoot equipment or process issues. * Perform preventative maintenance on equipment.

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Vacuum Coating information

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How much do vacuum coating jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for vacuum coating in the United States is $19.82, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.87 and $20.91 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are vacuum coating jobs?

Vacuum coating jobs involve operating and maintaining equipment that applies thin layers of material onto surfaces using vacuum technology. This process is commonly used in industries such as electronics, automotive, optics, and packaging to improve product performance, durability, and appearance. Workers in this field may set up, monitor, and troubleshoot vacuum coating machines, as well as inspect finished products for quality assurance. These roles often require technical knowledge and attention to detail to ensure coatings meet specific standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Vacuum Coating Technician, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Vacuum Coating Technician, you need a solid understanding of materials science, coating processes, and mechanical aptitude, usually supported by a technical diploma or relevant experience. Familiarity with vacuum deposition equipment, cleanroom protocols, and the use of measurement instruments like thickness gauges is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills for this role. These skills and qualities are essential to ensure precision, product quality, and safe operation in highly controlled manufacturing environments.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in vacuum coating, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in vacuum coating often encounter challenges such as maintaining consistent coating quality, handling complex machinery, and troubleshooting equipment issues. Tight environmental controls and precise process monitoring are critical, as even minor contaminants or parameter fluctuations can impact results. Strong attention to detail, ongoing training, and collaboration with maintenance and engineering teams help address these issues. Many employers provide structured onboarding and regular skills development opportunities to support employees in overcoming these challenges.
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What states have the most Vacuum Coating jobs? States with the most job openings for Vacuum Coating jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Vacuum Coating jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Vacuum Coating jobs are:
Vacuum Coating jobs near you
Infographic showing various Vacuum Coating job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, 44% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,236 per year, or $19.8 per hour.
Coating Technician 5

Coating Technician 5

MKS Instruments, Inc.

Milpitas, CA

$59/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Operate vacuum chambers to deposit multilayer thin film optical coatings using various coating processes including E-beam, Ion Beam Sputtering, and Ion Assisted Deposition.

  • Clean and inspect parts before and after the deposition process and maintain coating fixtures and equipment.

  • Troubleshoot and repair vacuum coating process equipment, including leak detection, cryo systems, and mechanical pumps, and maintain detailed process records.

Job description

A Day in Your Life at MKS:

Coating Technician V who has a good understanding of vacuum coating chambers, knowledge of coating E-beam, IBS and IAD coating processes. In this role, you will operate vacuum chambers to deposit multilayer thin film optical coatings. You will also maintain coating equipment and perform basic maintenance on equipment maintaining downtime and PM charts. You will be working with the Optics Coating team on the "Key Initiative" to drive excellence in manufacturing.

You Will Make an Impact By:

  • Clean and inspect parts both before and after deposition process

  • Set-up coating chamber, this includes various coating processes - E-beam, Ion Beam Sputtering, and Ion Assisted Deposition

  • Troubleshoot problems in vacuum coating process equipment, leak detect vacuum system; repair cryo systems and mechanical pumps. Troubleshoot, test, and align optical monitoring systems

  • Perform single and multilayer coatings. Record crystal and optical thickness for each layer. Maintain detailed and accurate process records

  • Perform Spectrometry, Interferometry, Ellipsometry, Absorption and Damage Threshold testing

  • Change foil/bead blast tooling

  • Cleans and maintains coating fixtures and equipment. Performs basic maintenance on the equipment

  • Maintains organized and detailed records of chamber set-up and coating process parameters.

Skills You Bring:

  • Associates degree and minimum 5 years of experience in thin film coating

  • Vacuum technology experience (RGA, Crypo pumps, mechanical pumps, pump controllers)

  • Experience with handling and inspecting of optical components

  • Knowledge of metrology tools - Photometer, Interferometer, Spectrophotometer

  • Computer Skills - Word, Excel, database, ERP system (SAP preferred)

  • Understanding of Lean Manufacturing - working with the team to drive 6S in optics production.

  • Strong verbal and written communication skills; will be communicating and collaborating with production staff, engineering, production management

Compensation and Benefits:

Hourly Pay Range: $35 - $59 per hour. This range is a good faith estimate of the expected salary range for this position, based on a wide range of factors including qualifications, experience and training, operational and business needs and other considerations permitted by law. At MKS, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for the role.

Bonus: This position is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, in an amount to be determined by MKS [or as applicable].

Benefits: MKS offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance coverage (medical, dental and vision), 401(k) with company match, life and disability insurance, 12 paid holidays, sick time, 15 paid vacation days, [6 weeks fully paid] parental leave, adoption assistance and tuition reimbursement [and for participation in any stock programs, signing bonus, etc.].

We are interested in a qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we will not be sponsoring work visas for this position, at this time

MKS is an equal opportunity employer, including disability, veteran status and all categories protected by law. Please review our EOE statements for additional details.

#LI-TW1

Globally, our policy is to recruit individuals from wide and diverse backgrounds. However, certain positions require access to controlled goods and technologies subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Applicants for these positions may need to be "U.S. persons." "U.S. persons" are generally defined as U.S. citizens, noncitizen nationals, lawful permanent residents (or, green card holders), individuals granted asylum, and individuals admitted as refugees.

MKS Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries ("MKS") is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer: diverse candidates are encouraged to apply. We win as a team and are committed to recruiting and hiring qualified applicants regardless of race, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), religion, age, ancestry, physical or mental disability or handicap, marital status, membership in the uniformed services, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law. Hiring decisions are based on merit, qualifications and business needs. We conduct background checks and drug screens, in accordance with applicable law and company policies. MKS is generally only hiring candidates who reside in states where we are registered to do business.

MKS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process due to a disability, please contact us at:accommodationsatMKS@mksinst.com.

If applying for a specific job, please include the requisition number (ex: RXXXX), the title and location of the role

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