Film Engineer/Coating Process Engineer

Job Title: Film Engineer/Coating Process Engineer

Location: Redmond, WA

Duration: 12 Months

Summary

The Client brings together a world-class team of researchers, developers, and engineers to create the future of virtual and augmented reality, which together will become as universal and essential as smartphones and personal computers are today. And just as personal computers have done over the past 45 years, AR and VR will ultimately change everything about how we work, play, and connect.

We are developing all the technologies needed to enable breakthrough AR glasses and VR headsets, including optics and displays, computer vision, audio, graphics, brain-computer interface, haptic interaction, eye/hand/face/body tracking, perception science, and true telepresence. Some of those will advance much faster than others, but they all need to happen to enable AR and VR that are so compelling that they become an integral part of our lives.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and optimization of optical coating processes, including Anti-Reflective (AR), hardcoat, and photochromic coatings, to meet performance, reliability, and manufacturability requirements.
• Collaborate closely with external vendors and contract manufacturers to drive process development, conduct failure analysis, and implement effective corrective actions for coating-related issues.
• Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA) activities to identify and mitigate risks in the coating manufacturing process.
• Own the end-to-end process control plan, from material selection and incoming quality control to in-process monitoring and final inspection, ensuring a stable and high-yield production environment.
• Define, validate, and implement metrology and characterization techniques to ensure coating performance and quality, correlating measurements to visual and functional performance.

Minimum Qualifications

• Has a BS degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Optical Science, Physics, or a relevant technical field.
• 3+ years of experience in optical coating process engineering, with hands-on experience in deposition technologies such as PVD, IAD, or PECVD for anti-reflective and hardcoat applications.
• Demonstrated experience working with external vendors and contract manufacturers, including process transfer, qualification, and sustaining support.
• In-depth knowledge of coating characterization techniques, including spectrophotometry, ellipsometry, environmental testing, and mechanical durability testing (e.g., adhesion, abrasion).
• Experience with statistical process control (SPC), design of experiments (DOE), and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Must obtain work authorization in the country of employment at the time of hire and maintain ongoing work authorization during employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in a relevant technical field.
• Experience with the design, process, and metrology of photochromic coatings.
• Proven track record of launching products in a high-volume manufacturing environment.Familiarity with thin-film design principles and software (e.g., OptiLayer, FilmStar, Macleod).
• Experience in failure analysis techniques to determine root cause of coating defects and failures.
• Excellent project management and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in a cross-functional and multicultural team environment.
• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in a relevant technical field.
• Experience with the design, process, and metrology of photochromic coatings.
• Proven track record of launching products in a high-volume manufacturing environment.Familiarity with thin-film design principles and software (e.g., OptiLayer, FilmStar, Macleod).
• Experience in failure analysis techniques to determine root cause of coating defects and failures.
• Excellent project management and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in a cross-functional and multicultural team environment.

SPECTRAFORCE is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability or veteran status, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Please contact Human Resources at nahr@spectraforce.com if you require reasonable accommodation.