Thin Film Process Engineer

Thin Film Process Engineer

PGS Worldwide is seeking a Thin Film Process Engineer in Santa Rosa, California for an approximately one-year onsite contract-to-hire role supporting a leading aerospace & defense company. This position will lead the technical development and production of advanced optical thin-film coating solutions, with a focus on sputtering and evaporation processes. The engineer will serve as a technical resource across multiple programs while supporting process development, manufacturing, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• 10–15 years of experience with advanced thin-film coatings.
• Extensive experience with sputtering and evaporation equipment, processes, and coating designs.
• Experience developing and supporting production of advanced thin-film technology solutions.
• Experience with optical thin-film products and manufacturing processes.
• Proficiency with one or more thin-film design tools such as TFCalc, Opti Layer, Film Star, or Film Wizard.
• Experience using advanced analytical and metrology equipment.
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills with a data-driven approach to technical decision-making.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with customers, vendors, program managers, engineers, technicians, and other stakeholders.

• Previous technical leadership experience.
• Experience mentoring and training engineers or manufacturing technicians.

• Develop and optimize sputtering and evaporation processes for advanced optical thin-film coatings.
• Support the technical development and production of thin-film-based products and technology solutions.
• Use thin-film design software to develop, analyze, and optimize coating designs.
• Apply analytical and metrology tools to evaluate coating performance and manufacturing results.
• Serve as a primary technical point of contact for multiple programs and internal program managers.
• Investigate process and product performance issues and develop data-driven technical solutions.
• Support manufacturing teams in transitioning new thin-film technologies and processes into production.
• Work with customers, vendors, engineers, and manufacturing personnel to address technical requirements and challenges.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to less-experienced engineers and manufacturing technicians as needed.
• Drive disciplined technical execution in a fast-paced, dynamic technology environment.

• $19.00–$94.15 per hour.

Military veterans and transitioning military members are encouraged to apply to all PGS Worldwide positions. All of our jobs are military-friendly, and we work with leaders in Aerospace who rely on your military expertise to support mission-critical programs nationwide. As a Veteran Founded company, we know that the military has given you the skills and training you need to succeed in positions like this, and we want to support your success in the civilian sector however we can.

We thank you for your service and humbly offer our own in return by helping you take your career to the next level.