Principal Coating Engineer

Excelitas Technologies Corp.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Excelitas Technologies Corp. in Singapore seeks a Principal Coating Engineer to design, develop, and optimize optical coatings for NPI optics and laser applications.

You will drive coating stack design, material selection, and process development while supporting RFQs and cross-functional teams. The role requires strong expertise in IBS, MS, and PVD technologies, with hands-on experience in thin-film design and tooling.

Qualifications

• Design, develop, and optimize optical coatings for laser applications.
• Review RFQ data packages and drawings; propose feasible coating solutions.
• Develop products using IBS, MS, and other PVD technologies.
• Perform design analyses to meet customer specs and TAT KPIs.
• Prepare SRFs and support S&M during customer reviews.
• Train and guide production on processes and work instructions.
• Drive CI and yield improvements across NPI programs.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize coating solutions for NPI optics and devices.
• Assess customer specs, perform TAT-driven RFQ responses.
• Develop and qualify coatings using IBS, MS, and PVD methods.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, and S&M teams.
• Prepare process and test plans, SOPs, and FAT/FLP support.
• Lead phase-gate reviews for transfer to mass production.

Skills

Optics

Thin-film deposition

PVD technologies

IBS

Magnetron Sputtering

Thin-film design

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Vacuum systems

Spectroscopic tools

OptiLayer/FilmStar

AutoCAD/SolidWorks

SAP

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Science, Engineering, Optics, Physics

Master's or PhD in Engineering (preferred)

Tools

OptiLayer

FilmStar

Lambda 1050

Varian Cary 7000i

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

SAP

Job description

Principal Coating Engineer

Location: Singapore, SG, 627969

Job Function: Engineering R&D

Job Type: Regular Full Time

Overview:

Responsible for the design and development of optical coatings for New Product Introduction (NPI) optics. This includes coating stack design, material selection, process development, qualification activities, and tooling design for new products. The role also supports Sales & Marketing (S&M) on RFQs and technical inquiries while working closely with cross-functional teams including Manufacturing, Operations, and Quality. Additionally, the engineer will identify, evaluate, and develop emerging technologies for next-generation optical components.

Job Description:

• Design, develop, and optimize optical coating solutions and photonics devices with a focus on laser applications.
• Review technical data packages and engineering drawings received through RFQs.
• Develop new product offerings utilizing technologies such as Ion Beam Sputtering (IBS) and Magnetron Sputtering (MS).
• Perform coating design analysis based on customer specifications and ensure RFQ activities are completed within established turnaround time (TAT) KPIs.
• Generate Specification Review Forms (SRFs), when required, to address technical constraints and propose solutions aligned with company capabilities.
• Support Sales & Marketing (S&M) during customer visits, technical reviews, and assessments of new requirements.
• Prepare and provide evaluation reports for NPI products.
• Carry out process and product development, qualification activities, and tooling design for NPI products.
• Ensure readiness for Pre-FAT and FLP activities by preparing engineering checklists, BOM templates, ECNs, and ECOs.
• Develop and maintain process plans, test plans, routings, SOPs, in-process control plans, and FAT review forms.
• Provide training and technical guidance to production technicians on work instructions and processes.
• Support production during FAT and FLP builds and resolve all technical issues related to NPI products.
• Analyze and summarize issues identified during FAT and FLP activities, and implement necessary changes to material drawings, process plans, routings, and yield improvement initiatives.
• Participate in phase-gate reviews to ensure the successful transfer of products from FAT/FLP stages to mass production.
• Prepare and submit Process Review Forms upon completion of FAT/FLP activities.
• Conduct failure analysis on field returns, identify failure modes, and recommend corrective and preventive actions to prevent recurrence.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and continuous improvement (CI) projects to enhance yield, quality, and cycle time.
• Provide technical support to manufacturing operations as required.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Science, Engineering, Optics, Physics, or a related field. A Master's or PhD in Engineering is preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in the development and manufacturing of optical coating products using IBS, MS, and PVD technologies for OEM medical device, semiconductor, optoelectronics, or avionics industries.
• Strong experience in designing and optimizing complex optical coatings.
• Strong expertise in thin-film deposition processes involving metals, alloys, dielectric materials, and polymers.
• Proficiency in thin-film design software such as OptiLayer and FilmStar.
• Experience with optical fabrication processes is an advantage.
• Experience in AutoCAD and/or SolidWorks for jig and fixture design.
• Experience with SAP is an added advantage.
• Strong knowledge of PVD technologies, including Ion Beam Sputtering (IBS), Magnetron Sputtering (MS), Thermal Evaporation, E-Beam Evaporation, Ion-Assisted Evaporation, and Reactive Evaporation.
• Strong knowledge of the optical and physical characterization of coating materials, including stress and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE).
• Ability to program and operate optical monitoring and crystal monitoring systems.
• Strong knowledge of measuring coating spectral performance using instruments such as Lambda 1050, Varian Cary 7000i, and other spectrophotometers.
• Hands-on experience operating IBS, MS, and PVD coating systems to test and evaluate coating designs.
• Strong root-cause analysis and troubleshooting skills for coating process, cosmetic, and coating durability issues.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional and manufacturing environment.