Thin Films Coating Engineer

Hardin Optical Company; Bandon (OR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Employee assistance program

Flexible spending account

Health insurance

Health savings account

Life insurance

Paid time off

Parental leave

Relocation assistance

Vision insurance

Job summary

Hardin Optical Company in Bandon, Oregon is seeking an experienced Thin Films Coating Engineering Supervisor to lead and innovate in a high-precision optical manufacturing environment. You will guide coating design, process development, and production performance while supervising Thin Films Technicians.

The role emphasizes technical leadership, collaboration with multiple departments, and driving continuous improvement within an ITAR-regulated setting.

Qualifications

• 7–10+ years in thin film coating manufacturing or related fields.
• Experience with thin film coating design, deposition processes, optimization, and troubleshooting.
• Experience leading or supervising technical/manufacturing teams.
• Strong Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement knowledge.
• Mechanical aptitude to troubleshoot manufacturing equipment and processes.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and project management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word).

Responsibilities

• Lead coating design, process development, and continuous process improvement initiatives.
• Supervise, coach, and develop Thin Films Technicians while fostering accountability and collaboration.
• Plan production schedules and allocate resources to meet throughput, quality and delivery goals.
• Collaborate with Sales, Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing to support customer requirements.
• Support customer quotations by providing technical and manufacturing input.
• Develop, maintain, and improve manufacturing work instructions and process documentation.
• Review and approve process changes to ensure quality and repeatability.
• Investigate defects and equipment challenges and implement root-cause solutions.
• Monitor production metrics and identify opportunities to improve quality, productivity, cost, and cycle time.
• Champion Lean and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support and strengthen the Quality Management System and core values.

Skills

Leadership

Lean Manufacturing

Project management

Team supervision

Communication

Education

Bachelor's in Physics

Tools

Coating deposition equipment

Process documentation

Job description

Location: Bandon, Oregon (Relocation Assistance Available)

Are you an experienced Thin Films Coating Engineer looking for the opportunity to lead, innovate, and make a lasting impact?

We are seeking an accomplished engineering professional to provide technical leadership for a growing precision optical manufacturing operation. The ideal candidate is someone who enjoys solving complex technical challenges while leading a skilled production team in a fast-paced, high-precision environment. This position offers the opportunity to influence coating design, process development, production performance, and continuous improvement while supervising a team of Thin Films Technicians.

What You'll Do

As our Thin Film Coating Engineering Supervisor, you will serve as the technical expert and operational leader for our Thin Films department.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Lead coating design, process development, and continuous process improvement initiatives.
• Supervise, coach, and develop Thin Films Technicians while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Plan production schedules and allocate resources to meet throughput, quality, and delivery objectives.
• Collaborate closely with Sales, Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, and other departments to support customer requirements and business objectives.
• Support customer quotations (RFQs/RFPs) by providing technical expertise and manufacturing input.
• Develop, maintain, and improve manufacturing work instructions and process documentation.
• Review and approve process changes to ensure quality and repeatability.
• Investigate coating defects, process issues, and equipment challenges while implementing effective root-cause solutions.
• Monitor key production metrics and identify opportunities to improve quality, productivity, cost, and cycle time.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support and strengthen the organization's Quality Management System and company core values.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for a hands-on engineering leader with a passion for thin film technology and process excellence.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Optics, Electronics, Materials Science, or a closely related technical discipline (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• 7-10+ years of experience in thin film coating manufacturing, process engineering, or optical coating operations.
• Demonstrated experience with thin film coating design, deposition processes, process optimization, and troubleshooting.
• Experience leading or supervising technical or manufacturing teams.
• Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Mechanical aptitude with the ability to troubleshoot manufacturing equipment and production processes.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and project management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Excel, and Word.

Why Consider This Opportunity

• Competitive salary depending on experience and qualifications.
• Opportunity to lead technical innovation in a highly specialized manufacturing environment.
• Direct influence on product quality, manufacturing processes, and operational performance.Collaborative leadership team committed to continuous improvement.
• Stable organization with opportunities for professional growth and advancement.

This position requires access to information or items regulated by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). To be eligible for this position, applicants must qualify as a "U.S. Person" as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.62). A U.S. Person includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and certain protected individuals as defined by federal law.

• 401(k)
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Relocation assistance
• Vision insurance

Education

• Bachelor's in Physics

Experience

• Thin Films Coating: 7 years (Preferred)