Optical Coatings Engineer

Surface Optics Corporation; San Diego (CA); Vor Ort; USD 77.000 - 94.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Medical

Dental

Optical coverage

Life insurance

Long-Term Disability

FSA

401(k)

PTO

Holiday pay

Zusammenfassung

Surface Optics Corporation seeks an Optical Coatings Engineer in San Diego to design, develop and document coating processes for flight-grade hardware. You will lead coating design, tooling integration, and process improvements across in-house vacuum systems, ensuring high yields and robust metrology compliance.

You will collaborate with Product Engineers and Operations to optimize deposition, inspection, and test protocols, while maintaining safety and regulatory documentation.

Qualifikationen

• Bachelor's degree in Science or Engineering with 2+ years of related experience.
• Experience with vacuum systems processing and multiple functions in engineering.
• Knowledge of optical coatings and metrology.
• Hands-on experience with high vacuum equipment and tooling design.
• Familiarity with coating design software (Filmstar/TF Calc/Optilayer).
• Ability to develop engineer specifications, drawings and requirements.
• Strong math/physics background and data analysis skills.
• Proactive in documentation, safety and process improvements.

Aufgaben

• Perform and manage production coatings with statistical process control.
• Operate and maintain coating equipment, inspect surfaces and improve yields.
• Develop coating designs and optimize processes with documentation.
• Review specifications for spectral and environmental requirements.
• Model coatings for in-house manufacture and develop process strategies.
• Create test protocols, travelers and ensure quality approvals.
• Provide process ownership of vacuum tools and support cross-functional teams.
• Collaborate with Product Engineers and Program Management on projects.

Kenntnisse

Optical coatings

Metrology

Math & physics

Data analysis

Documentation

Teamwork

Communication

Safety protocols

Self-motivated

Ausbildung

Bachelor's degree in Science or Engineering

Tools

Filmstar

TF Calc

Optilayer

High vacuum equipment

Jobbeschreibung

Surface Optics Corporation (SOC) has been a leader in the field of optical property characterization and surface solutions for more than 40 years. SOC specializes in providing hemispherical and bidirectional reflectance measurement services, custom instrument engineering, analytical software, and high-performance optical instruments like reflectometers and hyperspectral imagers. The company also develops surface coating products used across various industries. SOC offers innovative, high-quality solutions to support a broad range of applications, ranging from research and development to manufacturing processes.

Role Description

Optical coating is the process of depositing thin layers of material onto a mirror, lens or similar surface. These coatings can increase or decrease reflection and change transmission properties.

Optical coating engineers work with technicians and other engineers to develop, design, test and manufacture optical components with an eye toward increasing production and maintaining low

costs. They participate in and supervise all aspects of coating, including design, process development and documentation, analysis, cleaning and inspection. Engineers in optical coating are responsible for oversight of equipment usage and hands-on work on preventative maintenance, repairs and improvements to coating machinery.

The Optical Coatings Engineer will have familiarity with optical coating production process. Understanding of operation, quality assurance, maintenance, and troubleshooting. Capable of design and developing new coating processes. Practices continuous improvement by raising yields, reducing downtime, and documenting. The Optical Coatings Engineer will support production and improve process. This position supports activities for vapor deposition coating processes, including coating design, tooling design, process development, qualification, and process documentation. The Optical Coatings Engineer will also support on-the-floor coating operations including specification, and installation of new equipment, substrate cleaning, deposition, and characterization through either electrical or spectral metrology. The Optical Coatings Engineer will take lead in monitoring of process controls parameters, and support of preventative maintenance programs and repairs for coating equipment. Supports program management and operations personnel with technical guidance on assigned projects.

The Optical Coatings Engineer will work for the Director of Coatings and with skilled technicians, to develop strategies and processes for advanced coating technologies, taking advantage of the inhouse capabilities of 4+ vacuum coating systems, including a 5 meter roll-to-roll chamber.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform and/or manage production coatings with statistical process control.
• Work with a team or alone to prepare, operate and maintain coating equipment.
• Clean and inspect optical surfaces.
• Evaluate and improve production yields.
• Interact with team members and customers to solve quality related issues.
• Create work orders based on customer design requirements.
• Design coatings and optimize processes. Generate and revise documentation for the manufacturing, inspection, and maintenance procedures.
• Reviews specifications for optical coatings, including spectral performance requirements, environmental and chemical exposure requirements, durability and surface quality requirements.
• Model and design coatings for manufacture in-house.
• Develop optical coatings strategies in conjunction with Product Engineers and Factory and Engineering management.
• Develop test protocols, travelers and seek Quality approval in the characterization of flight grade hardware.
• Provide Process Ownership of one or more vacuum coating tools using e-beam Evaporation – including writing and certifying work instructions and defining defect reduction/yield improvement plans.
• Interface with Product Engineers and Program Management production of optical components.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (B.A/B.S) from four-year College or University in Science or Engineering and 2 plus years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

The candidate should have technical proficiency in the manufacture of optical components or microelectronics using vacuum system processing as well as proficiency and comfort in interfacing with multiple functions including Product Engineering, Systems Engineering, Quality, Mechanical Design Engineering, Equipment Engineering and Process Engineering.

• Knowledge of optical coatings and metrology
• Hands on experience with high vacuum equipment and tooling design
• Team player with strong verbal, written and communication skills who works well in complex cross-functional situations
• Experience with cleaning precision optics
• Familiarity with basic principles of vacuum system operations
• Familiarity with metrology equipment and characterization techniques used in Optical Coatings
• Ability to understand and develop Engineer specifications, drawings and requirements
• Ability to understand chemical safety data and ability to follow safety protocols including the use of Personal Protective Equipment
• Experience with vacuum equipment and technology
• Hands on experience with optics and optical measurements
• Thin film coating design software experience (Filmstar, TF Calc, Optilayer)
• Knowledge of materials processing and characterization
• Experience with equipment calibration
• Self-motivation required for independent research and operations
• Strong understanding in advanced math and physics
• Strong analytical skills for data analysisExcellent documentation abilities to record/present test results and process analysis
• Strong desire to learn and grow in a challenging field
• Patience and determination to perform tasks consistently and completely
• Team-player attitude to work within a dynamic group

Compensation:

• $85,000+ per year, depending on education and experience
• Generous Benefits include medical, dental, optical, life insurance, LTD, FSA, 401(k), PTO, and holiday pay

EEO/AAP Statement: Surface Optics Corporation is an EEO/AAP employer; all business decisions (employment, promotions, compensation, etc.) are made without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected status.