Senior Thermal Coatings Engineer & Operations GM

Crawford Thomas Recruiting; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Crawford Thomas Recruiting in Santa Clara, CA is seeking a senior leader to drive continuous improvement in thermal coating capabilities and direct daily facility operations.

You will optimize processes (HVLP, PLASMA, TWIN WIRE ARC SPRAY, 3D PRINTING), validate coatings to aerospace/energy standards, and guide growth, budget, and P&L while ensuring safety and on-time delivery of coated components.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or trade school certificate in materials engineering, metallurgy, mechanical engineering, or chemical engineering.
• Professional experience in high‑temperature coatings, specifically in thermal spray processes.
• Experience working with customers on prototype R&D projects.
• Experience in a leadership role in a manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering and technical leadership to develop, validate, and optimize thermal spray and coating procedures for aerospace, energy, or related standards.
• Oversee budgeting, financial forecasting, cost control, manufacturing output, production flow, safety and environmental protocols, and on-time delivery.

Job description

Job Description

We are a small business located in Silicon Valley. We have been in business for 36 years and have employees that have been with us for 20+ years.

Job Type: Full-Time

Location: Santa Clara, CA

Salary: $150,000 - $160,000 annually

Job Description

We are a small business located in Silicon Valley. We have been in business for 36 years and have employees that have been with us for 20+ years.

Our Santa Clara facility focuses on thermal coating applications. In addition, we provide coating applications for customers at their facilities.

We are currently seeking a Thermal Coating Engineer. This role bridges engineering background (knowledge of material applications and thermal spray) with operations leadership. It focuses on quoting projects, establishing coating parameters, overseeing the processes being implemented, and overseeing the facility’s overall commercial and financial success.

Role Summary

As a dual-function leader, you will be accountable for driving continuous improvement in thermal coating capabilities while directing the daily operations of the facility.

This includes optimizing process parameters (HVLP, PLASMA, TWIN WIRE ARC SPRAY, 3D PRINTING), validating coating qualifications, and executing the company’s strategic growth, budget, and P&L.

Key Responsibilities Engineering and Technical Leadership Develop, validate, and optimize thermal spray and coating procedures. Ensure all coatings meet rigorous aerospace, energy, or industry standards. Troubleshoot coating and equipment issues. Maintain coating procedures and qualifications documentation. Work with customers on prototype R&D projects. General Management and Operations Oversee budgeting, financial forecasting, cost control, and overall profitability. Manage daily manufacturing output, optimize production flow, and ensure on-time delivery of coated components. Enforce stringent safety and environmental protocols in the facility with an emphasis on the production areas. Plan for consistent documentation. Conduct weekly meetings with key staff to go over weekly sales, AR/AP, upcoming projects, and any issues that need discussion. Qualifications and Requirements Education Bachelor’s degree or trade school certificate in materials engineering, metallurgy, mechanical engineering, or chemical engineering. Technical Experience Professional experience in high-temperature coatings, specifically in thermal spray processes. Experience working with customers on prototype R&D projects. Management Experience Experience in a leadership role in a manufacturing environment.,