Optical Coating Process Engineer

Coherent Corp.; Saxonburg (PA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Coherent Corp. designs, builds, and delivers advanced optical coatings for telecom.

This role engineers and optimizes manufacturing processes across multiple deposition chambers, delivering quality, yield, and throughput targets while collaborating with development, manufacturing, and design teams. You will analyze data, implement new tools, support equipment qualification, and drive continuous improvement with minimal supervision.

Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of reactive magnetron sputter deposition processes and thin film growth.
• Understanding of thin film design theory and product applications.
• Experience reducing process variations using problem‑solving methods.
• Familiarity with optical thin film metrology for telecom and fluorescence filters.
• Proficiency in LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python or Visual Basic for control and analysis.
• Experience with PLC-based and HMI-controlled automated deposition systems.
• Knowledge of SPC and statistical data interpretation.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and optimize manufacturing processes for optical coatings.
• Oversee production across multiple chambers and automated platforms.
• Analyze manufacturing data to assess performance and drive improvements.
• Collaborate with development, manufacturing, maintenance, and design teams.

Skills

Reactive sputter deposition

Thin film design theory

Data analysis

Root cause analysis

Statistical knowledge

Communicate statistics

Process variation reduction

SPC

Cross-functional collaboration

Documentation writing

Education

Master’s degree in Physics, Engineering, or related

Tools

MATLAB

LabVIEW

Python

Visual Basic

PLC/HMI programming

MES interfaces

Job description

Job Description

Design, implement, and optimize manufacturing processes for optical thin film coatings used in telecom product lines. Oversee production activities in multiple chambers and manage automated coating platforms to achieve quality, yield, and throughput targets. Analyze manufacturing data to evaluate process performance and recommend improvements for efficiency and productivity. Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including development engineers, manufacturing, maintenance, and thin film design, to assess new designs and ensure compatibility with manufacturing and measurement capabilities. Develop and integrate new tools and processes to facilitate new product introduction and streamline manufacturing operations. Work closely with Quality to resolve customer issues, provide technical expertise on Return Material Authorization requests, and support equipment qualification. Lead continuous improvement initiatives in process engineering and manufacturing systems, contributing to organizational goals with minimal supervision.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Physics, Engineering, or related.

• 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 filters and Life Sciences fluorescence filters.
• Familiarity with Matlab/Visual Basic/Labview/Python code writing skills for equipment control and data analysis and proficient in at least two of these languages.
• Proficient with commercial thin film software, and other programs, Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.
• Proficiency in PLC-based and HMI-controlled automated thin film deposition systems.
• Experience with process control systems, including laser monitoring systems and manufacturing execution system (MES) interfaces.
• Experience developing and modifying LabVIEW code for automated optical monitoring and thin film thickness control systems.
• Experience analyzing radiometric measurement data from tunable laser-based optical measurement systems.
• Proficiency in statistical process control (SPC) for monitoring and improving thin film deposition yield and process stability.
• Experience performing product qualification testing for new products and process changes in manufacturing environments.
• Experience developing and maintaining process documentation, including work instructions for manufacturing and measurement systems.

About Us

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!