Thin Film Coating Specialist (vacuum deposition coating systems)

Optex Systems, Inc; Richardson (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Optex Systems, Inc. is seeking a Thin Film Coating Specialist to operate and maintain vacuum deposition systems for precision optical coatings. You will work with run sheets, travelers, and specs to ensure coatings meet optical and environmental requirements.

Responsibilities include chamber prep, deposition control, inspection, and routine maintenance. Candidates should have 5–10 years in thin film coating and a strong focus on quality and documentation, with ITAR compliance expectations.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Associates degree or technical training in optics, vacuum technology, electronics, or related field preferred.
• 5–10 years experience as a Thin Film Coating Technician.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate manual and automatic vacuum deposition coating systems.
• Prepare coating chambers, load materials, and align substrates.
• Monitor deposition processes and verify parameters.
• Inspect coated optics for spectral compliance and cosmetic quality.
• Perform routine preventive maintenance on coating systems.
• Maintain process documentation, travelers, and MIL-Spec compliance.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Electrical aptitude

Attention to detail

Documentation skills

Teamwork

Independent work

Communication skills

Education

U.S. Citizenship

High School Diploma or GED

Associates degree or technical training (optics/vacuum tech)

5–10 years experience as Thin Film Coating Technician

Tools

Ion-assisted deposition

Vacuum coating systems

Optical coating equipment

Job description

POSITION PURPOSE

The Thin Film Coating Specialist is responsible for the setup, operation, monitoring, and maintenance of manual and computer-controlled ion-assisted physical vapor deposition (PVD) vacuum coating systems used to apply precision optical thin film coatings to optical components and assemblies.

This position supports the production of high-performance visible and infrared optical coatings including anti-reflective (AR), beamsplitter, mirror, filter, and conductive coatings for commercial, industrial, aerospace, and defense applications.

The operator will work from coating run sheets, process travelers, engineering drawings, specifications, and work instructions to ensure coatings meet optical, cosmetic, and environmental performance requirements.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Operate manual and automated vacuum deposition coating systems including:
• Electron beam evaporation systems
• Optical monitoring systems (if applicable)
• Read, understand, and follow:
• Coating run sheets
• Manufacturing travelers
• Work instructions
• MIL-Spec and customer specifications
• Prepare coating chambers for production including:
• Chamber cleaning
• Fixture and tooling preparation
• Material loading
• Shield installation
• Substrate loading and alignment
• Perform coating deposition operations including:
• Pump down and leak checking
• Process parameter verification
• Deposition rate control
• Ion source operation and tuning
• Optical or crystal monitor operation
• Process documentation and recording
• Inspect coated optics for:
• Basic spectral compliance
• Perform routine preventative maintenance on vacuum coating systems including:
• Cleaning chambers and fixtures
• Basic troubleshooting of vacuum and deposition systems
• Monitoring system performance and reporting issues
• Maintain compliance with:
• Quality procedures
• Cleanliness requirements
• ESD procedures
• Safety policies
• ITAR/export-controlled material handling requirements
• Work closely with:
• Manufacturing
• Quality Assurance
• Maintenance personnel
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to:
• Yield
• Throughput
• Process repeatability
• Coating performance

PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS

• Product yield and rework rates
• Daily and monthly production throughput
• Coating quality and cosmetic acceptance
• Schedule adherence
• Equipment uptime and cleanliness
• Compliance with process documentation requirements
• Reduction of scrap and coating defects

QUALIFICATIONS

Education / Certification

• Must be a U. S. Citizen
• High School Diploma or GED required
• Highly prefer Associates Degree, Technical training or applicable coursework in optics, vacuum technology, electronics, materials science, or related field preferred coupled with:
• 5-10 years' experience as a Thin Film Coating Technician

Required Knowledge

• Ability to interpret:
• Engineering instructions
• Process documentation
• Specifications and travelers

Preferred Knowledge

• Understanding of vacuum system operation and fundamentals
• Knowledge of thin film deposition processes and optical coatings
• Familiarity with:
• Deposition rate control
• Basic optical coating terminology

Experience Preferred

• Hands-on experience operating optical thin film coating equipment
• Experience with ion-assisted deposition strongly preferred
• Experience coating precision optics for visible or infrared applications preferred
• Experience in aerospace, defense, or military optical manufacturing environment preferred

SKILLS / ABILITIES

• Strong mechanical and/or Electrical aptitude
• High attention to detail and cleanliness
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented manufacturing environment
• Strong organizational and documentation skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a production environment

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to stand for extended periods
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds occasionally
• Ability to work around vacuum equipment, high voltage systems, and elevated platforms
• Manual dexterity sufficient to handle precision optical components and tooling
• Ability to wear appropriate PPE as required

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Manufacturing and cleanroom environment
• Exposure to vacuum systems, solvents, and coating materials
• May require overtime or shift work based on production schedules

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be eligible to work with export-controlled information and materials in accordance with ITAR regulations
• U.S. Person status is required

Company offers competitive compensation and benefits.

Optex Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind: Optex Systems is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Optex Systems are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Optex Systems will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.”