Electroplating Process Engineer

Job Description

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.

The Process Engineer will be responsible for the optimization, maintenance, and any new development of electroplating processes, ensuring high-quality surface finishes on a variety of metal components. This role requires a foundation in chemical/electrical/mechanical engineering, materials science, statistics, or a related field, as well as a foundational knowledge of chemistry, process troubleshooting, and laboratory procedures.

• Improve electroplating processes for various metals (e.g., nickel, gold, silver, chrome, zinc, copper).
• Optimized electroless plating processes to improve coating uniformity, reduce chemical consumption, and enhance overall process efficiency and product quality.
• Conduct root cause analysis and resolve plating defects such as blistering, poor adhesion, thickness, roughness, or discoloration.
• Perform routine analytical testing (pH, conductivity, metal concentration, etc.) and adjust chemical compositions accordingly.
• Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) and plating process documentation.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations related to chemical handling and waste disposal for any newly developed process.
• Collaborate with R&D, quality control, and production teams to support new product introductions and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Specify and help maintain plating equipment, rectifiers, tanks, filters, and agitation systems.
• Stay updated on industry best practices, new technologies, and emerging surface treatment techniques.
• Uphold Positronic’s standards of integrity, quality, and operational excellence.
• Identify hazards in the workplace and report them to management and/or the safety coordinator.
• Collaborate with the EHS department to meet local, state, and federal regulatory requirements, including OSHA, NFPA, DNR, EPA, and Amphenol sustainability practices.
• Work with the Quality department to ensure compliance with AS9100 certification standards.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related STEM field.
• 1 to 2 years of related experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Long periods of sitting with occasional standing and walking.
• May require bending, kneeling, reaching, pushing, and pulling.
• Occasional lifting up to 20 lbs; rarely up to 50 lbs.
• Frequent computer use and repetitive motion.
• PPE includes safety glasses and gloves when handling chemicals.

Work is performed in a chemical lab environment with frequent exposure to fumes. Involves small parts handling under magnification. Proper PPE is required.

• Understanding of electroplating chemistry, process engineering, and quality systems.
• Working knowledge of AS9100 standards, SPC tools, and root cause analysis.
• Understanding of manufacturing scheduling and cost control.
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance in industrial chemical operations.

• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Skilled in data-driven process evaluation and training implementation.
• Effective communicator across technical and non-technical teams.
• Preferred leadership and team development abilities.

• Leadership and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong reasoning skills and attention to process variability.
• Visual and oral communication clarity for training and coaching.

Position requires candidate to be a U.S. person as defined in ITAR, 22 CFR 120.15 (U.S. Citizenship or Resident Alien Status) and defined by 8 U.S.C. 1101(a) (20).

Positronic Industries participates in the United States Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program.