Optical Coatings Engineer: Vacuum & Process Design

Surface Optics Corporation; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 77,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Optical coverage

Life insurance

Long-Term Disability

FSA

401(k)

PTO

Holiday pay

Job summary

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.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Optical coatings

Metrology

Math & physics

Data analysis

Documentation

Teamwork

Communication

Safety protocols

Self-motivated

Education

Bachelor's degree in Science or Engineering

Tools

Filmstar

TF Calc

Optilayer

High vacuum equipment

Job description

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.