PVD Process Engineer

PINNACLE PARTNERS; Lebanon (IN); On-site; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base salary $75K–$100K

Annual performance bonus

401(k) company match

Little overtime

Modern facility

Mentorship from experienced engineers

Job summary

Pinnacle Partners is seeking a PVD Process Engineer in Lebanon, IN to develop, optimize, and maintain PVD processes in a hands-on production environment. The role involves understanding coating requirements, working with customers on technical applications, and supporting manufacturing to deliver quality parts.

Ideal candidates have 3–5+ years in PVD or related coating processes, strong understanding of materials and surface engineering, and the ability to troubleshoot coating and equipment

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Materials, Metallurgical, Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering or related field.
• 3–5+ years experience with PVD or related coating processes (HVOF, plasma spray, etc.).
• Hands-on experience with PVD is highly preferred and primary technical focus.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, schematics, and product specs.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and maintain PVD processes for production and new customer applications.
• Work with customers to understand coating requirements, specifications, and performance expectations.
• Support quoting by evaluating requirements and determining coating approaches.
• Apply PVD coatings to customer parts in production environment.
• Investigate coating failures and identify opportunities to improve process performance.
• Troubleshoot coating, equipment, and process issues; perform root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Utilize SPC to monitor and improve process performance; understand process variables (gas flow, temperature, bias voltage, deposition rates, arc currents).
• Create and maintain technical documentation (control plans, instructions, test results).
• Collaborate with customers, suppliers, engineering, and production teams; support manufacturing to ensure quality.

Skills

PVD processes

Coatings

Troubleshooting

Customer interaction

Read drawings

Fixture design

Hands-on

Education

Bachelor's degree in Materials/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Lebanon, IN Onsite Up to $100000 per Year Direct Hire

Pinnacle Partners is recruiting for a PVD Process Engineer in Lebanon, IN. This position will focus on developing, optimizing, and maintaining Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) processes for customer applications in a hands‑on production environment. The ideal candidate will have experience with PVD or related coating processes, a strong understanding of materials and surface engineering, the ability to troubleshoot coating and equipment issues, and the communication skills to work directly with customers on technical requirements and applications.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, optimize, and maintain PVD processes for production and new customer applications.
• Work directly with customers to understand coating requirements, application needs, specifications, and performance expectations.
• Support the quoting process by evaluating customer requirements and determining appropriate coating and processing approaches.
• Apply PVD coatings to customer parts within a production environment.
• Investigate coating failures and identify opportunities to improve process performance and product quality.
• Troubleshoot coating, equipment, and process issues.
• Perform root cause analysis and develop corrective actions for coating and process problems.
• Utilize statistical process control to monitor and improve process performance.
• Understand and evaluate process variables including gas flow, temperature, bias voltage, deposition rates, and arc currents.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings, prints, schematics, and product specifications.
• Design or assist with the design of fixtures used in coating and testing applications.
• Support testing of coated parts to verify coating quality, durability, and compliance with customer requirements.
• Develop and document testing procedures and results.
• Create and maintain technical documentation including control plans, work instructions, test results, and other process documentation.
• Work closely with customers, suppliers, engineering personnel, production employees, and other internal teams.
• Support manufacturing activities and ensure processes are capable of consistently producing quality products.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement within coating processes and production.
• Serve as the primary technical resource and internal "go-to" person for the PVD process.
• Maintain a visible, hands‑on presence within the production environment.
• Work independently to plan, prioritize, and manage process engineering responsibilities.
• Support customer applications from initial requirements through quoting, coating, testing, and final production.
• Occasionally access production equipment remotely after hours to verify that a production job is processing correctly.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Approximately 3–5+ years of experience involving PVD, Physical Vapor Deposition, HVOF, Plasma Spray, Flame Spray, Twin‑Wire Arc Spray, nitriding, plasma vacuum, or closely related coating processes.
• Strong hands‑on experience with PVD is highly preferred and is the primary technical focus of the position.
• Understanding of PVD and vacuum‑based coating processes.
• Ability to work hands‑on in a production environment and serve as a technical resource for the process.
• Ability to troubleshoot coating, equipment, and process issues.
• Experience with root cause analysis, corrective action, and statistical process control.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, prints, schematics, and sketches.
• Experience with or understanding of fixture design.
• Ability to communicate effectively with customers regarding technical requirements, applications, quoting, and documentation.
• Experience with material evaluation and surface/coating applications.
• Ability to understand and evaluate process variables such as gas flow, temperature, bias voltage, deposition rates, and arc currents.
• Strong problem‑solving and analytical abilities.
• Ability to work effectively with both engineering and production personnel.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities independently.
• Desire to work in a hands‑on production environment rather than primarily behind a computer.

Preferred:

• Experience with HVOF (High Velocity Oxygen Fuel).
• Nitriding or plasma vacuum experience.
• Experience designing fixtures for manufacturing or coating applications.
• Continuous improvement experience.
• Aerospace or Department of Defense experience.
• Military background.
• Experience supporting Navy, Air Force, or DOD‑related applications.
• Experience performing testing after coating processes.
• Experience with technical documentation including control plans, work instructions, test results, and process documentation.
• Experience taking customer applications from initial requirements through production.
• Experience working with customers on technical applications and product requirements.
• Experience with production process development and optimization.
• Experience in a surface engineering, coatings, materials, or advanced manufacturing environment.

Benefits Overview:

• $75K–$100K base salary depending on experience.
• Annual performance bonus based on salary and hours worked.
• 4% 401(k) company match.
• Little to no required overtime.
• Temperature‑controlled, well‑lit, and well‑spaced manufacturing facility.
• Newer building and machinery.
• Company‑provided tools and equipment.
• Small engineering team with a collaborative work environment.
• Hands‑on training and mentorship from experienced engineers.
• Opportunity to become the internal subject matter expert for PVD processes.
• Exposure to advanced surface engineering and coating applications supporting demanding industrial, aerospace, and defense‑related customers.

Explore More Engineering Opportunities

This role falls within our Engineering/Manufacturing division, where we specialize in placing professionals in areas such as:

• Mechanical/Electrical Engineering
• Manufacturing/Process Engineering
• Technical Sales
• Operations / Plant Engineering

Explore additional Engineering roles and learn more about how we support Engineering professionals:

We're hiring across multiple divisions including:

• Human Resources
• Administrative & Customer Service
• Information Technology
• Accounting & Finance

About the Role

Pinnacle Partners is recruiting for a PVD Process Engineer in Lebanon, IN. This position will focus on developing, optimizing, and maintaining Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) processes for customer applications in a hands‑on production environment. The ideal candidate will have experience with PVD or related coating processes, a strong understanding of materials and surface engineering, the ability to troubleshoot coating and equipment issues, and the communication skills to work directly with customers on technical requirements and applications.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, optimize, and maintain PVD processes for production and new customer applications.
• Work directly with customers to understand coating requirements, application needs, specifications, and performance expectations.
• Support the quoting process by evaluating customer requirements and determining appropriate coating and processing approaches.
• Apply PVD coatings to customer parts within a production environment.
• Investigate coating failures and identify opportunities to improve process performance and product quality.
• Troubleshoot coating, equipment, and process issues.
• Perform root cause analysis and develop corrective actions for coating and process problems.
• Utilize statistical process control to monitor and improve process performance.
• Understand and evaluate process variables including gas flow, temperature, bias voltage, deposition rates, and arc currents.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings, prints, schematics, and product specifications.
• Design or assist with the design of fixtures used in coating and testing applications.
• Support testing of coated parts to verify coating quality, durability, and compliance with customer requirements.
• Develop and document testing procedures and results.
• Create and maintain technical documentation including control plans, work instructions, test results, and other process documentation.
• Work closely with customers, suppliers, engineering personnel, production employees, and other internal teams.
• Support manufacturing activities and ensure processes are capable of consistently producing quality products.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement within coating processes and production.
• Serve as the primary technical resource and internal "go-to" person for the PVD process.
• Maintain a visible, hands‑on presence within the production environment.
• Work independently to plan, prioritize, and manage process engineering responsibilities.
• Support customer applications from initial requirements through quoting, coating, testing, and final production.
• Occasionally access production equipment remotely after hours to verify that a production job is processing correctly.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Approximately 3–5+ years of experience involving PVD, Physical Vapor Deposition, HVOF, Plasma Spray, Flame Spray, Twin‑Wire Arc Spray, nitriding, plasma vacuum, or closely related coating processes.
• Strong hands‑on experience with PVD is highly preferred and is the primary technical focus of the position.
• Understanding of PVD and vacuum‑based coating processes.
• Ability to work hands‑on in a production environment and serve as a technical resource for the process.
• Ability to troubleshoot coating, equipment, and process issues.
• Experience with root cause analysis, corrective action, and statistical process control.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, prints, schematics, and sketches.
• Experience with or understanding of fixture design.
• Ability to communicate effectively with customers regarding technical requirements, applications, quoting, and documentation.
• Experience with material evaluation and surface/coating applications.
• Ability to understand and evaluate process variables such as gas flow, temperature, bias voltage, deposition rates, and arc currents.
• Strong problem‑solving and analytical abilities.
• Ability to work effectively with both engineering and production personnel.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities independently.
• Desire to work in a hands‑on production environment rather than primarily behind a computer.

Preferred:

• Experience with HVOF (High Velocity Oxygen Fuel).
• Plasma spray experience.
• Flame spray experience.
• Twin‑wire arc spray experience.
• Nitriding or plasma vacuum experience.
• SolidWorks experience.
• Experience designing fixtures for manufacturing or coating applications.
• Continuous improvement experience.
• Aerospace or Department of Defense experience.
• Military background.
• Experience supporting Navy, Air Force, or DOD‑related applications.
• Experience performing testing after coating processes.
• Experience with technical documentation including control plans, work instructions, test results, and process documentation.
• Experience taking customer applications from initial requirements through production.
• Experience working with customers on technical applications and product requirements.
• Experience with production process development and optimization.
• Experience in a surface engineering, coatings, materials, or advanced manufacturing environment.

Benefits Overview:

• $75K–$100K base salary depending on experience.
• Annual performance bonus based on salary and hours worked.
• 4% 401(k) company match.
• Little to no required overtime.
• Temperature‑controlled, well‑lit, and well‑spaced manufacturing facility.
• Newer building and machinery.
• Company‑provided tools and equipment.
• Small engineering team with a collaborative work environment.
• Hands‑on training and mentorship from experienced engineers.
• Opportunity to become the internal subject matter expert for PVD processes.
• Exposure to advanced surface engineering and coating applications supporting demanding industrial, aerospace, and defense‑related customers.

Explore More Engineering Opportunities

This role falls within our Engineering/Manufacturing division, where we specialize in placing professionals in areas such as:

• Mechanical/Electrical Engineering
• Manufacturing/Process Engineering
• Controls Engineering
• Project Engineering
• Technical Sales
• Operations / Plant Engineering

Explore additional Engineering roles and learn more about how we support Engineering professionals:

Find Jobs or Manufacturing & Engineering Opportunities

Not the right fit?

We're hiring across multiple divisions including:

• Human Resources
• Administrative & Customer Service
• Information Technology
• Accounting & Finance

About Pinnacle Partners

For more than two decades, Pinnacle Partners has been connecting top talent with leadingemployers across Indianapolis, Louisville, Cincinnati, and other cities throughout theMidwest. Wespecialize in Information Technology, Accounting & Finance, Administrative, HumanResources, and Engineering/Manufacturing, offering contract, contract-to-hire, and directhire placements.