PVD Process Engineer

Lebanon, IN Onsite Up to $100000 per Year Direct Hire

Pinnacle Partners is recruiting for a PVD Process Engineer in Lebanon, IN. This position will focus on developing, optimizing, and maintaining Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) processes for customer applications in a hands‑on production environment. The ideal candidate will have experience with PVD or related coating processes, a strong understanding of materials and surface engineering, the ability to troubleshoot coating and equipment issues, and the communication skills to work directly with customers on technical requirements and applications.

• Develop, optimize, and maintain PVD processes for production and new customer applications.
• Work directly with customers to understand coating requirements, application needs, specifications, and performance expectations.
• Support the quoting process by evaluating customer requirements and determining appropriate coating and processing approaches.
• Apply PVD coatings to customer parts within a production environment.
• Investigate coating failures and identify opportunities to improve process performance and product quality.
• Troubleshoot coating, equipment, and process issues.
• Perform root cause analysis and develop corrective actions for coating and process problems.
• Utilize statistical process control to monitor and improve process performance.
• Understand and evaluate process variables including gas flow, temperature, bias voltage, deposition rates, and arc currents.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings, prints, schematics, and product specifications.
• Design or assist with the design of fixtures used in coating and testing applications.
• Support testing of coated parts to verify coating quality, durability, and compliance with customer requirements.
• Develop and document testing procedures and results.
• Create and maintain technical documentation including control plans, work instructions, test results, and other process documentation.
• Work closely with customers, suppliers, engineering personnel, production employees, and other internal teams.
• Support manufacturing activities and ensure processes are capable of consistently producing quality products.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement within coating processes and production.
• Serve as the primary technical resource and internal "go-to" person for the PVD process.
• Maintain a visible, hands‑on presence within the production environment.
• Work independently to plan, prioritize, and manage process engineering responsibilities.
• Support customer applications from initial requirements through quoting, coating, testing, and final production.
• Occasionally access production equipment remotely after hours to verify that a production job is processing correctly.

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Approximately 3–5+ years of experience involving PVD, Physical Vapor Deposition, HVOF, Plasma Spray, Flame Spray, Twin‑Wire Arc Spray, nitriding, plasma vacuum, or closely related coating processes.
• Strong hands‑on experience with PVD is highly preferred and is the primary technical focus of the position.
• Understanding of PVD and vacuum‑based coating processes.
• Ability to work hands‑on in a production environment and serve as a technical resource for the process.
• Ability to troubleshoot coating, equipment, and process issues.
• Experience with root cause analysis, corrective action, and statistical process control.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, prints, schematics, and sketches.
• Experience with or understanding of fixture design.
• Ability to communicate effectively with customers regarding technical…