Coatings Manufacturing Process Engineer (PVD/PACVD/CVD) — Chicago, IL

Join a team where process rigor meets inventive thinking. At Ionbond’s West Chicago Coating Center, you’ll help transform ideas into industrial-scale thin films that power aerospace, medical, food contact, automotive, decorative, tooling, and fuel cell applications.

Our mission

At Ionbond – The Surface Engineers – we enable customers to go faster, last longer, and perform better through hard, low-friction, wear-resistant coatings. Backed by more than 30 coating centers across 15 countries and the strength of the IHI Group, we solve complex surface engineering challenges using PVD, PACVD, and CVD technologies.

Your impact

Picture your first 90 days: you’ll baseline current PVD operations, deploy Lean improvements, and stabilize a critical recipe using data-driven methods. You’ll coach operators on best practices, align with the Plant Manager on a scale-up plan for a new application, and close the loop with training and documentation inside our QMS.

Core responsibilities

• Serve as a primary technical resource for PVD operations—developing plans, mentoring, and coaching across production steps.
• Drive application development and program scale-up in partnership with Plant Management.
• Leverage statistical techniques to strengthen process capability; conduct failure analysis to determine root causes.
• Recommend and implement equipment/process modifications and upgrades for continuous improvement.
• Maintain the Quality Management System to ISO 9001:2016 and deliver training on procedures and work instructions.
• Apply Lean principles—5S, Kanban, and Value Stream Mapping—to improve flow, yields, and volume.
• Lead small- to medium-sized projects and support related operational needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Materials Science/Metallurgy, or Plasma Physics.
• At least 3 years in vacuum coating focused on thin films; direct, hands-on PVD experience is a must.
• Familiar with ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D.
• Proven use of 8D, Fishbone, and Five Whys.
• APQP experience (PFMEA and Control Plans).
• Mechanical design proficiency; AutoCAD or comparable CAD software skills.
• Strong communication, work ethic, attention to detail, and organization.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally about 10%.

Toolbox

• Lean: 5S, Kanban, Value Stream Mapping
• Statistical process improvement and failure analysis techniques
• ERP software

Grow with us

• International and local career growth
• Competitive salary linked to experience and education
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage 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 with company match
• Bonus eligibility

Apply now

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Required notice

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