Thin-Film PVD Process Development Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Thin-Film PVD Process Development Engineer — Chicago, IL

You’ll start most mornings on the production floor of our West Chicago Coating Center, shoulder-to-shoulder with operators, technicians, and the Plant Manager. By lunch, you may be iterating on a new thin-film recipe in collaboration with R&D, then closing the day by reviewing data trends to lift yield and throughput. If you enjoy moving seamlessly from hands-on experiments to structured problem-solving, this role was built for you.

About Ionbond – The Surface Engineers™

Ionbond provides advanced coating solutions across aerospace, medical, food contact, automotive, decorative, tooling, and fuel cell applications. Our portfolio spans hard, low-friction, wear-resistant coatings based on PVD, PACVD, and CVD technologies. With 30+ job-coating centers in 15 countries across Europe, North America, and Asia, Ionbond is one of the world’s largest coating networks and is part of the IHI Group.

What you’ll do

• Act as a key technical resource for PVD coating operations, planning, mentoring, and coaching through all steps of surface engineered solution production.
• Partner closely with the Plant Manager to develop applications and scale major programs from concept through stable production.
• Use statistical techniques to improve process capability and apply failure analysis methodologies to investigate and identify root causes (8D, Fishbone, 5 Whys).
• Recommend and implement equipment and process modifications and upgrades that drive continuous improvement.
• Maintain Ionbond’s Quality Management System to ISO 9001:2016 standards and train plant personnel on procedures and work instructions.
• Apply Lean Manufacturing methods, including 5S, Kanban, and Value Stream Mapping, to optimize flow, volume, and quality yields.
• Lead and contribute to small- and medium-sized projects, from planning through execution and sustainment.
• Perform other related duties as needed to support a high-performing operation.

What you bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Materials Science/Metallurgy, or Plasma Physics.
• 3+ years of experience in the vacuum coating field with specialization in thin film coatings.
• Hands-on experience with PVD coatings and coating systems.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D quality standards.
• Strong problem-solving skills using 8D, Fishbone, and Five Whys.
• Experience with the APQP approach, including PFMEA and Control Plans.
• Mechanical design skills and proficiency in AutoCAD or similar CAD tools.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, strong work ethic, attention to detail, and organizational strength.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally (approximately 10%).

Tools & methods you’ll use

• Lean tools: 5S, Kanban, Value Stream Mapping
• Statistical analysis and failure analysis methodologies
• ERP software

Why Ionbond

We’re committed to unleashing potential, locally and globally. Expect a collaborative, diverse environment that values teamwork, innovation, and customer service excellence.

• International and local growth opportunities
• Competitive compensation based on experience and education
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision plans with affordable premiums and deductibles
• Flexible Spending Accounts (medical and dependent care)
• Life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Tuition Reimbursement
• 401(k) Safe Harbor Retirement Account plus company match
• Bonus plan eligibility

How to apply

Send your resume via email through this site. For our Privacy Policy for Job Applicants please click here.

Compliance

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