Senior Thin-Film Coating Engineer | Tool Ownership & Lean

Optical Coating Laboratory, LLC in; Santa Rosa (CA); On-site; USD 82,000 - 152,000; Full time

Job summary

VIAVI Solutions in Santa Rosa, CA, is seeking a production coatings engineer to support thin-film deposition platforms and drive uptime, yield, and cycle-time improvements. You will diagnose complex electro-mechanical and vacuum faults, execute CAPA actions, and lead Lean/Six Sigma projects across engineering, maintenance, and quality teams.

The role requires 7+ years in thin-film manufacturing, strong Excel skills, and fluency in English. ITAR eligibility is required for this US-based position.

Qualifications

• BS in Physics, Materials Science, or an Engineering discipline. MS preferred.
• 7+ years of manufacturing or process engineering experience in thin-film vacuum deposition.
• Hands-on ownership of a production coating platform, including its process window, uptime, yield, and cycle time.
• Ability to isolate faults on complex electro-mechanical and vacuum equipment and drive the fix to completion.
• Working knowledge of optical coating process control, including in-situ monitoring and ex-situ metrology.
• Knowledge of PFMEA, CAPA, 8D, SPC, and DOE, plus Lean and Six Sigma with measurable gains.
• Track record of hands-on execution and cross-functional work.
• Schedule flexibility to support critical builds, ramps, and tool recoveries.
• Advanced Excel and experience with JMP or Minitab.
• Fluent in English (reading and writing).
• ITAR eligible US persons only.

Responsibilities

• Support production thin-film deposition platforms and processes; track KPIs.
• Isolate faults on complex equipment and drive CAPA to closure.
• Maintain uptime, yield, and cycle time; coordinate with maintenance and other teams.
• Lead Lean and Six Sigma projects to reduce scrap and increase throughput.
• Collaborate across Design, R&D, Quality, and Operations on changes.
• Write work instructions and qualification records; train floor staff.

Skills

Root cause analysis

8D/ CAPA/ DOE

Lean Six Sigma

Optical coating process control

Advanced Excel

Fluent English

Education

BS in Physics, Materials Science, or Engineering

MS preferred

Tools

JMP

Minitab

Job description

VIAVI Solutions in Santa Rosa, CA, is seeking a production coatings engineer to support thin-film deposition platforms and drive uptime, yield, and cycle-time improvements. You will diagnose complex electro-mechanical and vacuum faults, execute CAPA actions, and lead Lean/Six Sigma projects across engineering, maintenance, and quality teams.

The role requires 7+ years in thin-film manufacturing, strong Excel skills, and fluency in English. ITAR eligibility is required for this US-based position.