Surface Engineering Process Specialist (Vacuum Deposition)

Ionbond - IHI Group; West Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

FSA

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Paid Time Off

Tuition Reimbursement

401(k) with company match

Bonus plan eligibility

Job summary

Ionbond – The Surface Engineers in Chicago seeks a Surface Engineering Process Specialist (Vacuum Deposition) to lead PVD operations at the West Chicago Coating Center. You will partner with the Plant Manager to move applications from pilot to full production, apply statistics to improve process capability, and drive continuous improvement across equipment and processes.

You’ll ensure ISO 9001:2015/AS9100D knowledge is applied, use 8D, Fishbone, and 5 Whys for root-cause analysis, and mentor a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Materials Science/Metallurgy, or Plasma Physics.
• 3+ years in vacuum coating with thin-film specialization; hands-on PVD system experience required.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D.
• Fluency with 8D, Fishbone, and 5 Whys.
• APQP experience, including PFMEA and Control Plans.
• Mechanical design capability; AutoCAD (or similar) proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Be the go-to process expert for PVD operations at our West Chicago Coating Center.
• Collaborate with the Plant Manager to scale new applications from pilot to production.
• Apply statistics to elevate process capability and use root-cause tools to solve problems.
• Implement equipment and process upgrades to unlock continuous improvement.
• Own the Quality Management System upkeep to ISO 9001:2016 and train colleagues on procedures.
• Deploy Lean: 5S, Kanban, and Value Stream Mapping to optimize yield and flow.
• Manage small-to-medium projects and participate in other plant duties as needed.

Skills

PVD system experience

8D

Fishbone

5 Whys

APQP

PFMEA

Control Plans

Communication skills

Organization

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s in Engineering, Materials Science/Metallurgy, or Plasma Physics

Tools

AutoCAD

Job description

Surface Engineering Process Specialist (Vacuum Deposition) — Chicago, IL

Do you love thin films and the science behind them? Do you thrive where R&D meets production? Ready to boost yield, stabilize recipes, and mentor a crew that ships quality day after day?

Why this role

• Be the go-to process expert for PVD operations at our West Chicago Coating Center.
• Team up with the Plant Manager to take new applications from pilot to production scale.
• Apply statistics to elevate process capability, and use structured root-cause tools to solve tough problems.
• Implement equipment and process upgrades that unlock continuous improvement.
• Own the Quality Management System upkeep to ISO 9001:2016 and train colleagues on procedures and work instructions.
• Deploy Lean: 5S, Kanban, and Value Stream Mapping to optimize volume, quality yield, and flow.
• Manage small-to-medium projects and jump in on “other duties” that keep the plant moving.

About Ionbond – The Surface Engineers™

We deliver hard, low-friction, wear-resistant PVD, PACVD, and CVD coatings to aerospace, medical, food contact, automotive, decorative, tooling, and fuel cell customers. With 30+ coating centers across 15 countries in Europe, North America, and Asia, Ionbond is part of the IHI Group.

What you bring

• Bachelor’s in Engineering, Materials Science/Metallurgy, or Plasma Physics.
• 3+ years in vacuum coating with thin-film specialization; hands-on PVD system experience required.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D.
• Fluency with 8D, Fishbone, and 5 Whys.
• APQP experience, including PFMEA and Control Plans.
• Mechanical design capability; AutoCAD (or similar) proficiency.
• Clear written/verbal communication; strong work ethic, detail orientation, and organization.
• Willingness to travel ~10% (U.S. and international).

Methods & tools in play

• Lean Manufacturing: 5S, Kanban, Value Stream Mapping
• Failure analysis and statistical improvement techniques
• ERP software

What’s in it for you

• International and local growth opportunities
• Competitive pay tied to experience and education
• Excellent medical, dental, vision (affordable premiums and deductibles)
• FSAs (medical and dependent care)
• Life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Tuition Reimbursement
• 401(k) Safe Harbor plus company match
• Bonus plan eligibility

Legal notice

Additionally, the candidate must be able to pass a background check and be eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.