Process Engineer

Ionbond - IHI Group

West Chicago (IL)

On-site

USD 90,000 - 120,000

Full time

34 hours ago

Be an early applicant

Get a reply from this employer

Your resume and cover letter, tailored to exactly what they’re hiring for.

Get past ATS filters

Benefits offered by this job

International and local growth

Diverse work environment

Competitive compensation package

Excellent Medical, Dental, Vision

Flexible spending accounts

Life insurance

Short-term & long-term disability

Employee assistance program

Generous Paid Time Off

Tuition Reimbursement

401k Safe Harbor Retirement Account +

Bonus plan eligibility

Job summary

Ionbond West Chicago Coating Center is seeking a Process Engineer to collaborate with the Plant Manager and team to advance Ionbond coatings and services. You will apply your engineering and quality systems expertise to improve production and scale new programs.

The role requires hands-on PVD/coating experience, quality standards familiarity, and strong problem-solving skills. Occasional travel across the U.S. and internationally is expected.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Materials Science/Plasma Physics or related field.
Minimum 3 years in vacuum coating, specializing in thin films and PVD processes.
Experience with ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D quality standards; APQP, PFMEA, and Control Plans.
Strong problem-solving skills (8D, Fishbone, Five Why's) and good communication.

Responsibilities

Develop, plan, mentor, and coach production of surface engineered PVD coatings.
Identify and implement plant improvements to optimize volume and quality.
Assist in application development and scale-up of major programs.
Use statistics to improve process capability and root-cause analysis.
Recommend equipment or process upgrades for continuous improvement.
Maintain ISO 9001:2016 quality systems and train personnel.
Apply Lean principles (5S, Kanban, VSM) in daily work.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

PVD coating

Lean manufacturing

Root cause analysis

APQP

Control Plans

AutoCAD

Project management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Materials Science

Tools

ERP Software

AutoCAD

Job description

Process Engineer – Chicago, IL

Are you passionate about technology and process improvement? Do you have an interest in R&D and a love for working with thin films, but also thrive in a hands‑on production environment? Ionbond is looking for a dynamic Process Engineer to collaborate closely with our Plant Manager and local team, driving the development of the Ionbond™ family of coatings and services. If you have a background in engineering and quality systems, and bring curiosity, perseverance, a willingness to tackle challenges, and a commitment to excellence, this role could be your ideal career opportunity. Join us at our West Chicago Coating Center and be a part of our innovative team!

Ionbond – The Surface Engineers™

Ionbond provides advanced coating solutions for applications in the aerospace, medical, food contact, automotive, decorative, tooling and fuel cells industries. We offer a broad range of hard, low‑friction, wear‑resistant coatings based on PVD, PACVD and CVD technologies. With over 30 job coating centers in 15 countries in Europe, North America and Asia, Ionbond has one of the largest coating networks in the world. Ionbond is part of renowned Japanese industrial consortium IHI Group.

What defines this job?

Be one of the key technical resources for the plant in developing, planning, mentoring, and coaching in all steps involved in the production of surface engineered solutions in PVD coating operations.
Identify, recommend, and implement improvements in plant performance to optimize product volume, quality yields, and flow in accordance with business needs and requirements.
Assist Plant Management team in application development and scale-up of major programs.
Use statistical techniques to improve process capability, use failure analysis methodology to investigate, and find root causes.
Recommend and implement equipment and/or process modifications and upgrades for continuous improvement.
Maintain Ionbond’s Quality Management System based ISO 9001:2016 standards and train plant personnel on related procedures and work instructions
Use Lean Manufacturing principles such as 5S, Kanban, and Value Stream Mapping
Other related duties as apparent or assigned.

What do we offer?

Unleashing Potential Is At The Core Of Our Approach. We Provide a Dynamic Environment That Opens Doors To Both International And Local Growth Opportunities, Helping You Reach Your Full Potential. Here's What You Can Expect From Being Part Of Our Team

International and local growth opportunities
Diverse work environment where we embrace teamwork and innovation that drives us towards new applications and customer service excellence.
Competitive compensation package: salary based on experience and educational credentials.
Excellent Medical. Dental, vision benefits with affordable premiums and annual deductibles
Flexible spending accounts (medical and dependent care)
Life insurance
Short-term & long-term disability
Employee assistance program
Generous Paid Time Off
Tuition Reimbursement
401k Safe Harbor Retirement Account plus company match
Bonus plan eligibility

What do we ask?

The preferred candidate will have a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Materials Science/Metallurgy, or Plasma Physics, and at least three years of experience in the vacuum coating field, specializing in thin film coatings. Hands‑on knowledge of PVD coatings and coating systems is required, along with familiarity with ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D quality standards. Strong problem‑solving skills using tools like 8D, Fishbone, and Five Why’s are essential, as well as experience with the APQP approach for process development, including PFMEA and Control Plans. Proficiency in mechanical design and AutoCAD or similar design software is necessary. The candidate should have experience managing small to medium‑sized projects and possess excellent verbal and written communication skills. A strong work ethic, attention to detail, and organizational skills are also important. The ability to travel within the U.S. and internationally (minimally 10%) is required. Additionally, the candidate must be able to pass a background check and be eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

You Should Be Proficient In