Lead Finishing Engineer

At Delta Faucet, we are committed to transforming everyday experiences with water through innovative products and exceptional service. As a leader in the plumbing industry, we take pride in our dedication to quality, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. We believe that diverse perspectives strengthen our mission to create solutions that inspire and elevate the lives of all our customers. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds to join us on this journey toward inclusivity and excellence.

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled R&D Thin Film Lead Engineer with a strong background in Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) techniques to lead our research and development team. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing, optimizing, and characterizing novel thin film materials and processes using PVD methods, contributing to the advancement of our products and technologies. This role requires a strong understanding of materials science, vacuum technology, and thin film characterization techniques and the ability to lead a technical team.

• Design, develop, and optimize thin film deposition processes using various PVD techniques, such as cathodic arc, magnetron sputtering, e-beam evaporation, PECVD, thermal evaporation and DLC.
• Manage and direct finishing team.
• Operate and maintain R&D PVD equipment, including vacuum systems, deposition sources, and associated instrumentation.
• Characterize thin film properties using advanced techniques such as X-ray Diffraction (XRD), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and Spectroscopic Ellipsometry (SE).
• Analyze experimental data, interpret results, and prepare detailed technical reports and presentations.
• Collaborate across multi‑functional groups, including scientists, engineers, and technicians, to integrate PVD processes into product development and manufacturing.
• Troubleshoot and resolve process and equipment‑related issues, applying strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Identify and evaluate new materials and deposition techniques to enhance coating performance and introduce new product offerings.
• Know the latest advancements in thin film technology, PVD processes, and materials science.
• Mentor engineers and technicians and act as a domain expert in thin films and PVD processes.
• Ensure compliance with safety and quality standards in all R&D activities.

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field, with a focus on thin films and PVD technology used in production environments.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in thin‑film research and development, with demonstrated expertise in PVD techniques.
• Strong theoretical and practical knowledge of PVD deposition mechanisms, film growth, and characterization techniques and the ability to apply them to high‑volume production of three‑dimensional parts.
• Hands‑on experience with operating and maintaining PVD equipment and vacuum systems.
• Proficiency in data analysis and interpretation, including statistical methods and design of experiments.
• Strong understanding of Color Spectrophotometers and L.A.B. values.
• Outstanding soft skills with excellent written and verbal communication capabilities, able to effectively collaborate, interact, and influence business and technical partners and leaders at all levels of the organization.
• Excellent analytical and structured problem‑solving skills along with the ability to simplify complex problems.
• Demonstrated ability to exhibit initiative, drive accountability, and effectively lead others through excellent facilitation, organizational, and coaching skills.
• Knowledge of cleanroom protocols and safety procedures related to thin‑film processing.
• Familiarity with industry standards and regulations related to thin‑film technology and relevant applications (e.g., microelectronics, optics, medical devices, plumbing products, appliances).

• Experience with multiple PVD techniques (e.g., cathodic arc, Plasma‑Enhanced CVD (PECVD), e‑beam, thermal evaporation).
• Experience with advanced thin‑film characterization…