Lead Coating Specialist

PLUG POWER INC; United States; On-site; USD 92,300 - 138,400; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with 5% company match

Bonus eligibility

Paid time off

Employee assistance program

Job summary

PLUG POWER INC is seeking a Senior Coating Specialist responsible for overseeing the development of thin film coatings and roll-to-roll processing operations while ensuring quality standards.

The ideal candidate will have at least seven years of experience in coating engineering and will drive manufacturing improvements while mentoring technicians. The position offers a competitive salary with health and retirement benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum seven years of coating engineering experience.
• Proven track record of driving manufacturing improvement projects.
• Uncompromising dedication to product quality.

Responsibilities

• Oversee development of thin film coating and processing operations.
• Evaluate and maintain coating and drying processes.
• Provide direct support in troubleshooting production coating process issues.

Skills

Coating engineering expertise

Analytical abilities

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in STEM

Tools

PowerBI

MATLAB

LabVIEW

Excel

Job description

Position Summary

The Senior Coating Specialist is a subject matter expert responsible for overseeing the development and refinement of thin film coating and roll‑to‑roll processing operations, ensuring advanced quality standards, and leading continuous improvement initiatives. The role provides technical guidance, supports complex coating applications, and ensures compliance with industry regulations while mentoring technicians. By engaging cross‑functional partners, the individual drives manufacturing improvement projects and educates stakeholders on best practices, aiming to increase output capability, reduce waste and cost, and deliver high product quality.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain detailed understanding of Plug Power products and manufacturing objectives and constraints.
• Support day‑to‑day coating operations, providing robust processes and control parameters for consistent results.
• Provide direct support in troubleshooting production coating process issues, driving root‑cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Evaluate and maintain thin film coating, conveyance, and drying processes; apply knowledge of product design, fabrication, assembly, tooling, and materials; confer with equipment vendors and gather technician observations.
• Develop coating and drying processes and establish workflows by studying product requirements, researching, designing, modifying, and testing manufacturing methods and equipment.
• Develop and maintain capacity models; create documentation reflecting current and future state.
• Champion Lean/Six Sigma best practices, apply teachings and methodologies to projects, and provide training to others.
• Assure product and process quality by designing data collection methods, testing finished product, analyzing process capabilities, establishing standards, and confirming manufacturing processes.
• Support supplier quality initiatives by understanding parts and component needs, driving performance expectations, and addressing arising issues.
• Champion and facilitate the engineering change process and relevant communication/documentation.
• Provide manufacturing decision‑making information by calculating production, labor, and material costs; reviewing production schedules; estimating future requirements.
• Prepare product and process reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends.
• Maintain product and company reputation by complying with government regulations.
• Complete design and development projects by training and guiding technicians.
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops and reviewing professional publications.
• Contribute to team efforts by accomplishing related tasks as needed.
• Represent Plug Power in a professional manner at all times.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in STEM.
• Minimum seven years of coating engineering experience.
• Proven track record of driving manufacturing improvement projects.
• Dynamic interpersonal skills and ability to translate complex methodologies to diverse audiences.
• Uncompromising dedication to product quality.
• Strong analytical abilities with attention to detail.
• Computer and software systems skills (PowerBI, Ignition, MATLAB, LabVIEW, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Visio, Outlook, JMP).
• Ability to manage complex projects and multitask effectively.
• Ability to role model high standards of professionalism.
• Excellent follow‑through.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to complete projects of simple to moderate complexity.

Pay & Benefits

Salary: $92,300.00 – $138,400.00.

• Health, dental and vision insurance eligibility starting from the first day of hire.
• 401(k) with 5% company match.
• Bonus eligibility.
• Paid time off including vacation, personal and sick time.
• Paid holidays.
• Wellness reimbursement program.
• Potential tuition reimbursement.
• Employee referral program.
• Employee assistance program.

  Equal Employment Opportunity

  Plug Power Inc. is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.