R&D Roll Coating Engineer – Thin Film Optics

Viavi Solutions; Santa Rosa (CA); On-site; USD 101,500 - 188,500; Full time

Job summary

VIAVI Solutions in Santa Rosa, CA seeks an experienced R&D Roll Coating Engineer to advance roll-to-roll coating of thin-film optical materials for cutting-edge systems.

The role emphasizes experimental design (DOE), process development, and scale-up from lab to pilot line, with strong collaboration across engineering and manufacturing teams. A chemical or materials engineering background and hands-on lab work are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Optics, or related field.
• 5–10 years of experience in roll‑to‑roll coating or thin‑film development.
• Experience performing structured experiments (DOE) and root‑cause investigations.
• Proficiency with analytics tools such as Minitab, JMP, or Python‑based analysis.
• U.S. Person status per ITAR.

Responsibilities

• Develop, refine, and validate roll‑to‑roll coating processes for advanced thin‑film optical materials.
• Design and execute DOE studies to optimize coating conditions and formulations.
• Characterize films with profilometry, ellipsometry, AFM, and spectroscopy.
• Translate lab findings into scalable processes for manufacturing transfer.
• Collaborate with engineering and manufacturing teams and document results.

Skills

Roll-to-roll coating

Thin-film development

DOE experiments

Data analysis

Minitab

JMP

Python-based analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Optics, or related field

Tools

Minitab

JMP

Python

Job description

## R&D Roll Coating Engineer – Thin Film OpticsApplylocations: Santa Rosa, CA USAtime type: Full timeposted on: Posted 2 Days Agojob requisition id: 260004921**Summary:**VIAVI (NASDAQ: VIAV) is a global provider of network test, monitoring and assurance solutions for telecommunications, cloud, enterprises, first responders, military, aerospace, and railway. VIAVI is also a leader in light management technologies for 3D sensing, anti-counterfeiting, consumer electronics, industrial, automotive, government and aerospace applications. We are the people behind the products that help keep the world connected at home, school, work, at play, and everywhere in between. VIAVI employees are passionate about supporting customer success and we welcome people who bring their best every day to the company – to question, to collaborate and to push for solutions that will delight our customers.**Duties & Responsibilities:****Position Description: R&D Roll Coating Engineer – Thin‐Film Optics****Position Summary**The R&D Roll Coating Engineer plays a key role in developing next‐generation thin‐film optical materials through advanced roll‐to‐roll coating technologies. This role focuses on early‐stage formulation evaluation, process development, and prototyping of precision optical films used in cutting‐edge optical systems, displays, sensors, and photonic components. The engineer will work hands‐on in the lab and pilot line to develop scalable coating processes, characterize thin‐film performance, and translate experimental findings into robust manufacturing pathways.**Key Responsibilities****R&D Process Development*** Develop, refine, and validate roll‐to‐roll coating processes for advanced thin‐film optical materials.* Design and execute structured experiments (DOE) to explore process‐material interactions and determine optimal coating conditions for experimental formulations.* Conduct feasibility studies to assess new coating chemistries, equipment configurations, and process technologies for future optical product platforms.**Thin‐Film Characterization & Analysis*** Evaluate thin‐film thickness, uniformity, refractive index, optical transmission/absorption, and surface morphology using metrology tools such as profilometry, ellipsometry, AFM, microscopy, and spectrophotometry.* Analyze defects and film anomalies and identify root causes through materials, mechanical, or process‐related investigations.**Coating Technology Expertise*** Develop new coating strategies for multi‐layer optical stacks, nanostructured films, high‐precision functional layers, or specialty surface treatments.**Pilot‐Line Development & Scale‐Up*** Conduct hands‐on trials on pilot roll‐to‐roll equipment to validate newly developed processes.* Translate laboratory findings into scalable processes and establish the groundwork for manufacturing transfer.* Identify constraints or risks associated with scale‐up and propose design or formulation modifications to improve manufacturability.**Cross‐Functional Collaboration*** Work closely with equipment engineering, quality engineering, and manufacturing technology teams to advance new product concepts.* Communicate experimental results, insights, and recommendations through technical reports, presentations, and data summaries.* Contribute to design reviews, technology roadmaps, and development milestones for emerging optical products.**Documentation & Method Development*** Develop process documentation, experimental protocols, and early‐phase control strategies for new coatings and formulations.* Maintain accurate experimental records, process parameters, lab notebooks, and data sets to support reproducibility and long‐term research continuity.**Pre-Requisites / Skills / Experience Requirements:****Qualifications:****Required:*** Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Optics, or related technical field.* 5–10 years of relevant experience in roll‐to‐roll coating or thin‐film development within R&D or advanced materials environments.* Experience performing structured experiments (DOE), data analysis, and root‐cause investigations.* Proficiency with analytical tools such as Minitab, JMP, or Python‐based analysis.* Must be U.S. Persons as defined by ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. Person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. “Green Card Holder”), Political Asylee, or Refugee.**Preferred:*** Experience developing thin‐film optical materials, multilayer optical stacks, interference coatings, polarization films, or related technologies.* Familiarity with optical metrology and thin‐film characterization techniques.* Experience working in cleanroom or contamination‐controlled environments.* Current DOD clearanceIf you have what it takes to push boundaries and seize opportunities, apply to join our team today. VIAVI Solutions is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer – minorities/females/veterans/persons with disabilities.**Job Posting Pay Range:**101,500to188,500Exceptional qualifications, experience and location may impact salary. VIAVI offers a competitive benefits package that includes paid time off, health, life and disability insurance, 401(k), and a bonus program.