R&D Coatings Engineer III

Job Description

Build the Next Generation of Advanced Coating Technology

We are seeking an **R\&D Coatings Engineer** to develop and optimize advanced coating technologies used in demanding applications across the **semiconductor and advanced manufacturing industries**.

This is a highly hands-on development role for someone who enjoys **experimenting, troubleshooting, optimizing, and solving complex materials challenges** . The ideal candidate brings experience in **coatings, chemistry, materials, or thermal spray** and is excited to develop solutions rather than simply maintain existing processes.

**What You'll Do:**

* Develop and optimize **coating chemistries and processes** for advanced customer applications.
* Recreate and develop usable coatings for **thermal spray technologies**, including APS and SPS.
* Experiment with different formulations to achieve the required **chemistry, porosity, hardness, durability, and performance**.
* Troubleshoot coating and process issues and continuously optimize formulas and processing conditions.
* Design and execute experiments, process characterization studies, and **Design of Experiments (DOE)** to identify the best solutions.
* Evaluate coatings using appropriate physical and chemical **metrology and characterization techniques**.
* Develop process controls and ensure new processes are capable of being scaled into production.
* Work closely with Engineering and **New Product Introduction (NPI)** teams to transition successful coating technologies into trials and production.
* Research and evaluate new equipment, materials, and technologies for potential production applications.
* Support customer-facing activities, including technical discussions, presentations, and occasional customer visits.
* Document technical findings and help protect intellectual property through technical documentation and invention disclosures.
* Travel internationally as needed to support training, development, and customer/project requirements.

**The Technology**

The coating technologies being developed have applications well beyond semiconductor manufacturing.

The same fundamental coating technology can be used to create **thermal barriers for aircraft engines and other extreme-temperature applications**. This makes experience in semiconductor, aerospace, thermal spray, or advanced materials particularly valuable.

**What We're Looking For**

**Required:**

* **Coatings experience is required.**
* Experience with **chemicals, materials, coatings, thermal spray, or related process development**.
* Strong hands-on problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities.
* Experience with experimentation, process optimization, formulation, or development work.
* Ability to work through trial-and-error and make adjustments based on test results.
* Willingness and ability to travel internationally in **blocks of up to two weeks**.

**Preferred, but not required:**

* Semiconductor industry experience.
* Aerospace or advanced manufacturing experience.
* Experience with APS, SPS, ALD, PVD, or other coating/deposition technologies.
* Robotics or robotics programming experience.
* Experience with 2D drafting or 3D modeling.
* Statistical process control and DOE experience.
* Technical writing, research publication, or patent experience.
* Project management experience.

**Education \& Experience**

We are **flexible on education** for the right candidate.

A Bachelor's degree in **Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Metallurgy, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or a related field** is preferred. However, a degree is **not required** if the candidate has strong, directly relevant hands-on experience.

Candidates with **5 years of directly relevant coatings, materials, chemistry, or process development experience** may be considered in place of a degree.

Typically, the position is suited for someone with **4--8 years of directly related engineering, process development, or coatings experience**.

International Candidate Backgrounds

We are particularly interested in candidates with semiconductor or advanced materials experience from major technology markets, including:

* Semiconductor experience is highly relevant due to the strength of the industry and the overlap in coating applications.
* Aerospace, thermal spray, semiconductor, and advanced materials experience may translate well.
* Semiconductor and advanced materials experience is highly relevant.

Why This Opportunity?

* Opportunity to develop new coating formulations rather than simply operate existing processes
* Strong emphasis on **hands-on experience and problem-solving**
* Flexible educational requirements --- **we value what you can do over simply having a degree**
* Willingness to **train and develop the right candidate**
* Flexible schedule
* International exposure and travel opportunities
* Opportunity to work alongside Engineering and NPI teams to take new technology from **development through production**

Position Details

**Position:** R\&D Coatings Engineer

**Experience:** 4--8 years preferred; equivalent hands-on experience considered

**Education:** Flexible based on experience

**Coatings Experience:** **Required**  

**Travel:** Up to two-week blocks, approximately 4--8 times per year; more frequent during training/onboarding

**Relocation:** **Support and assistance available**  

**Schedule:** Flexible

**Robotics Experience:** Preferred, not required