Operations Engineer I

Operations Engineer I

The Operations Engineer I performs assigned engineering work focused on the design, development, characterization, and improvement of precision optical coatings. This role contributes to manufacturing, quality, innovation, and process improvement activities through coating design, process development, metrology, equipment optimization, data analysis, and technical documentation. The role applies engineering analysis and judgment to make technical recommendations, resolve assigned product or process issues, and lead small assigned engineering projects within defined scope.

All duties require a commitment to safety, quality, accuracy, and execution with excellence through continuous improvement, performance, integrity, and respect for people and the Company's mission. Ideal candidates are reliable, detail-oriented, collaborative, technically curious, professional in conduct, and motivated to learn, solve problems, improve processes, and contribute to team success.

Thin Film Design, Manufacturing, and Process Support

• Perform assigned thin film coating design, process development, manufacturing engineering, and production troubleshooting activities.
• Design optical coatings to meet customer, internal, performance, manufacturability, and production requirements.
• Translate assigned coating designs into production-ready recipes, process instructions, and related manufacturing requirements using Company software and systems.
• Evaluate coating designs, process conditions, and production results to identify technical risks, improve manufacturability, and recommend actions that improve coating performance and repeatability.
• Troubleshoot assigned coating, metrology, substrate preparation, surface quality, equipment, and process issues to improve production flow, reduce variation, and resolve technical problems.
• Work cross-functionally with Sales, Operations, Engineering, Planning, Quality, and other stakeholders to interpret technical requirements, coordinate technical inputs, and advance assigned manufacturing actions to completion.
• Lead small assigned engineering projects from definition through implementation, including planning, data review, documentation, follow-up, and communication of results.
• Develop and implement small-scale engineering improvements focused on cost, quality, productivity, safety, capability, yield, coating repeatability, and process stability.

Product Testing, Data Review, and Quality Engineering

• Develop, maintain, and improve assigned product test methods, instructions, and data review practices used to verify coating performance and customer requirements.
• Analyze coating runs, metrology results, test data, specifications, and customer requirements to make technical recommendations within assigned scope related to product disposition, process adjustments, and corrective actions.
• Analyze and organize product performance data to inform internal review, customer documentation, investigations, and process improvement.
• Interpret customer optical, dimensional, drawing, and specification requirements to contribute to accurate internal product and process specifications.
• Evaluate and contribute to resolving technical product, process, documentation, and customer-related questions in coordination with Sales, Marketing, Quality, Operations, and other teams.

Documentation, Training, and Technical Development

• Develop, implement, and maintain technical documentation for assigned engineering methods, test activities, process changes, and controlled procedures.
• Provide technical training and knowledge transfer to technicians, specialists, and other employees on defined methods, tools, processes, and documentation.
• Build and apply technical knowledge in thin film coating, optical design, metrology, process development, and related technologies to improve design, manufacturing, testing, and troubleshooting methods.

Compliance, Continuous Improvement, and General Responsibilities

• Obtain and maintain required certifications, licenses, qualifications, or training as needed to meet Company, customer, regulatory, and industry requirements.
• Follow Company quality, environmental, sustainability, and safety policies; identify and escalate safety concerns; and apply safe work practices in assigned activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor/management.

Position Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline, such as materials science, engineering, physics, or a related field; OR high school diploma or equivalent plus 10 years of directly relevant thin film coating experience in engineering, process development, or technical process support.
• Experience using Microsoft Office, advanced Excel, engineering software, or technical systems to compile data, review results, and support technical decisions.
• Experience applying statistical analysis, experimental design, test plans, test methods, and technical reporting to evaluate product and process performance.
• Ability to interpret…