Thin Film Coating Supervisor

Title

Thin Film Coating Supervisor

Department

Coating

Reports to

Coating Manager

SEE YOUR CAREER THROUGH A NEW LENS WITH RPO!

RPO is a global leader in precision optics, optical components, and optical assemblies. We specialize in a full spectrum of products & services including – Design and Engineering, Systems Integration, Lens Assembly, Visible and Infrared Components, Glass and Plastic Molded Aspheres, and Thin Film Coating. As one of the fastest growing companies in Rochester, RPO offers exciting career paths and work on market-leading programs.

See below one of many career opportunities to join the RPO team!

Position Overview:

The Thin Film Coating Supervisor is responsible for assisting the coating manager with leading day-to-day production activities within the coating department, ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and in alignment with production schedules and quality requirements. This role provides direct leadership and support to coating technicians and operators while maintaining close coordination with engineering, quality, planning, and operations teams. The position plays a key role in driving departmental performance through employee development, process discipline, schedule execution, and consistent floor presence.

The ideal candidate brings prior experience within thin film optical coating or vacuum deposition manufacturing environments, combined with strong communication skills, sound decision-making, and the ability to lead teams within a fast-paced production setting. This role works closely with coating engineering and technical leadership to support process stability, troubleshoot production issues, improve throughput, and maintain high standards for product quality and operational performance.

Key Responsibilities:

Production & Department Leadership

• Assist the coating manager in leading day-to-day coating department operations to ensure production schedules, quality standards, and delivery commitments are achieved safely and efficiently.
• Supervise coating technicians and operators, maintaining accountability for performance, attendance, productivity, and adherence to established procedures.
• Coordinate staffing, production priorities, and coating chamber utilization to support throughput and operational efficiency.
• Maintain consistent floor presence to support employees, address production concerns, and ensure process compliance.

Operational & Technical Oversight

• Support troubleshooting of coating process, equipment, and production issues in collaboration with coating engineering and technical leadership.
• Monitor yield, scrap, rework, and process performance to identify issues and drive corrective actions and continuous improvement efforts.
• Ensure compliance with work instructions, contamination control practices, ISO procedures, HSE requirements, and department standards.
• Coordinate preventative maintenance activities, equipment readiness, tooling organization, and department housekeeping.

Employee Development & Continuous Improvement

• Train, coach, and develop coating personnel on equipment operation, production processes, inspection methods, and department expectations.
• Support onboarding, cross-training, and skills development while reinforcing accountability, teamwork, and safe work practices.
• Partner with planning, engineering, quality, operations, and HR to support staffing needs, resolve production constraints, and improve overall department performance.
• Maintain accurate production documentation, labor tracking, and departmental records as required.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED required;
  Associate degree, technical certification, or coursework in optics, engineering technology, materials science, or a related technical field is…