Position Overview
We are seeking a motivated, detail-oriented Junior Coatings Scientist to join our advanced materials development team. In this role, you will work directly alongside a Senior Scientist to develop, optimize, and scale cutting-edge Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) processes, with a primary focus on Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coatings.
This is an exceptional opportunity for a recent graduate or early-career professional to gain hands-on, expert mentorship in thin-film deposition, advanced plasma physics, and industrial surface engineering. You will play a vital role in taking new deposition systems from initial power-on through comprehensive process validation, directly contributing to the growth of our production capabilities.
Key Responsibilities
- Equipment Commissioning & Turn-on: Assist senior engineering staff in the physical installation, initial powering, and sub-system testing of new PECVD and vacuum deposition hardware.
- System Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ): Participate in structured equipment validation protocols, including vacuum leak testing, gas flow calibration, power supply tuning, and plasma stability testing.
- Process Development & Scaling: Assist the Senior Scientist in designing, running, and optimizing PECVD coating recipes and surface preparation to achieve targeted mechanical, tribological, and structural properties.
- Analytical Characterization: Perform routine thin-film characterization to evaluate coating quality, including thickness, hardness, adhesion (scratch testing), friction coefficients, and microstructure.
- Data Analysis & Documentation: Meticulously log validation metrics, process parameters, and analytical test results to build a robust baseline for new machinery.
- Troubleshooting & Maintenance: Assist in diagnosing hardware anomalies during the commissioning phase, monitoring plasma stability, and establishing baseline preventive maintenance routines.
Qualifications & Skills
Required:
- Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related STEM discipline.
- Core Knowledge: Strong foundational understanding of materials characterization, surface science, and thin-film concepts.
- Hands-on Aptitude: Comfort working around mechanical hardware, vacuum systems, gas delivery lines, or high-power electronics.
- Methodical Execution: High attention to detail required for following strict equipment startup sequences, validation checklists, and safety protocols.
- Analytical Mindset: Excellent data collection and documentation habits; proficiency with technical writing and data analysis.
Preferred (Nice-to-Have):
- Direct undergraduate or internship experience with vacuum technology, plasma processing, or physical/chemical vapor deposition (PVD/CVD).
- Familiarity with equipment validation procedures, sensor calibration, or mass flow controller (MFC) verification.
- Basic understanding of plasma diagnostics, power matching, or hollow cathode technology.
What We Offer
- Direct mentorship from industry-leading experts in DLC and advanced plasma technology.
- A fast-paced, collaborative R&D environment using state-of-the-art industrial coating systems.
- High-impact experience involved in the ground-up deployment and qualification of new industrial technology.
ArmorLube LLC provides high-performance ultra-hard metal coating services and solutions for a wide range of industries including firearms, automotive, oil & gas, aerospace & defense, manufacturing, agriculture and others.
Founded in 2013, ArmorLube LLC’s patented Hollow Cathode technology is an environmentally friendly process that enables manufacturers to achieve greater coating uniformity and thickness for complex parts in less than half the time required for traditional coating processes.