Senior or Staff Optical Coating Process Engineer

Primary Duties & Responsibilities


* Have in-depth knowledge of reactive magnetron sputtering processes and their relationship to thin-film growth processes sufficient to understand their effects on optical, structural and mechanical properties of multilayer thin films.


* Have sufficient analytical knowledge of automated thin film vacuum sputter deposition chamber operation to support Process change decisions regarding; Programmable Logic Controllers, Agility HMI automation, process control interfaces, process control setup, laser monitoring, Manufacturing execution system and database interface.


* Have in depth knowledge and experience with vacuum equipment including, pumps, valves, feedthroughs, Mass flow valves, pressure gauges, magnetron cathodes, heaters and heat control systems.


* Understand Optical thin-film design theory and how to use Optical thin-film design codes for characterizing manufacturing errors.

Working knowledge of basic design building blocks, effective indices and the various applications of symmetric design components.


* Analytical knowledge of automated Optical monitoring systems used for accurate layer thickness control of coatings with as many as 400 layers and synchronous control of deposition process.


* Ability to interpret and analyze data from radiometric fiber optic measurement system utilizing grin lenses and tunable laser sources.


* Working together with engineers in a team environment where project actions are interdependent upon multiple team members where shared ideas may be accepted or challenged in an effort to achieve the best outcome for all.


* Responsible for daily decisions on process, product and equipment problems and their impact on production costs and on-time delivery commitments.


* Develop new tools and processes for manufacturing new products and integrate them into the manufacturing systems.


* Interact closely with the Manufacturing team to monitor and clarify procedures.


* Support Planning and Manufacturing to optimize product flow, throughput and on-time delivery goals.


* Perform continuous process improvement and development of tools to assist engineering and manufacturing in evaluation of processes, diagnosis of equipment failures, product and business.

Support decisions using measurable statistics.


* Maintain and optimize predictive tools to maximize run yields and minimize downtime.


* Perform product qualifications for new products or for specified process changes


* Write or modify work instructions for tasks associated with coating processes, measurement instrumentation and software tool utilized by technicians.


* Participate in major development efforts driven by Management and work together with Senior engineers to identify how to best support the effort


* Communicate well with outside vendors and customers, fostering good working relationships.

Education & Experience



* BS degree or higher in Eng...