Material & Process Engineer

Position: Material & Process Engineer


Location: Santa Rosa, CA


About the Role


We are seeking a highly motivated Material & Process Engineer with expertise in thin film coating design, sputtered deposition processes, and optical coating technologies . In this role, you will develop advanced coating solutions, support manufacturing operations, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and work directly with customers to deliver innovative products and process improvements.


The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise in thin film coatings with a hands-on approach to process development, data analysis, and continuous improvement.


Responsibilities
• Design and develop thin film coating solutions to meet customer and product requirements.
• Create innovative technical solutions for complex material and process engineering challenges.
• Partner with Program and Project Management teams to establish project plans, timelines, and budgets.
• Provide technical direction and work instructions to junior engineers and production technicians.
• Support manufacturing operations, including equipment setup, calibration, process optimization, and production readiness.
• Analyze and interpret metrology and process data to identify trends and recommend process adjustments.
• Evaluate coating performance against customer specifications and quality requirements.
• Review customer technical requirements and contribute to proposal development and technical solutions.
• Participate in customer meetings, design reviews, and technical presentations.
• Foster a collaborative and results-driven engineering environment.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to coating performance, process capability, and manufacturing efficiency.


Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in thin film coating design and materials engineering.
• 5+ years of experience with sputtered thin film deposition processes and equipment.
• 2+ years of experience with roll-to-roll deposition, coating, or converting processes.
• Experience using thin film modelling and design software such as: TF-Calc, Opti Layer, Film Star, Film Wizard
• Knowledge of statistical analysis, process optimization, and Design of Experiments (DOE).
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.


Preferred Qualifications
• Experience creating and delivering technical presentations to customers or stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects and manage technical deliverables.
• Experience with programming, automation, data analysis tools, or scripting languages such as Visual Basic, Python, MATLAB, or similar.
• Hands-on experience with characterization and metrology tools, including: Optical Spectrometers, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF)
• Knowledge of process control methodologies and continuous improvement practices.
• Ability to work in fast-paced environments, take calculated risks, and apply lessons learned to future projects.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a growth mindset.