Senior Staff Scientist - Optical Coatings

About the Role

Lead coating development projects for Advanced Optics, with a focus on Precision Optics (semiconductor inspection) and Laser Optics (lithography). This role drives new coating designs, improves existing coatings and processes, supports early-stage customer programs, and contributes to long-term coating technology strategy.

Responsibilities

• Develop new coating designs for semiconductor inspection and lithography applications
• Optimize coating designs and processes to improve performance, reliability, durability, and cost
• Lead technical development for early-stage Precision Optics programs
• Support long-term coating and surface technology initiatives with Research
• Define and execute DOE plans, sample coating, testing, and analysis
• Guide technicians and engineers across development coating platforms, including PVD, plasma-assisted PVD, IBS, magnetron sputtering, and ALD
• Improve manufacturing performance through coating design, materials, fixtures, and metrology
• Provide clear, proactive reporting and cross-functional technical support throughout development and production

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Physics, Material Science, or Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, or Electrical), or equivalent, with at least 10 years of experience OR 15+ years of relevant experience for non-Ph.D. applicants
• Strong problem-solving skills in complex materials, processes, and equipment
• Deep expertise in physical vapor deposition methods (PVD) for optical thin films, and associated optical properties, microstructure, stress, distribution on non-flat complex shapes, and influence of varying light energy interaction with substrates and films
• Strong technical skills in optical thin film design, materials selection, processing, characterization, and optical measurements via Spectroscopic Ellipsometry
• Experience in supporting or leading R&D project plans with a business focus
• Strong communication and collaboration skills

Qualifications

• Strong background in materials science, thin films, coating design, and optical coating processes
• Experience with optical coatings across IR, visible, and DUV wavelengths; VUV/EUV knowledge is a plus
• Familiarity with metrology tools such as ellipsometry, AFM, and optical performance testing
• Ability to work cross-functionally with Development, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Research teams

Preferred Skills

• Knowledge of additional coating technologies including Plasma Assisted PVD, Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), Ion Beam Sputtering, Magnetron Sputtering, and Optical Monitoring Systems
• Experience in advanced metrology tools such as AFM, TOF-SIMS, and PCI absorption analysis
• Optical design knowledge beyond coating (modeling for complex assemblies of mirrors, lenses, prisms, or assemblies)
• Project management competencies
• Team leadership experience

Pay

The range for this position is $139,499.00 - $191,812.00 assuming full-time status. Starting pay for the successful applicant is dependent on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education.

Benefits

• Company-wide bonuses and long-term incentives aligned with key business results
• 100% company-paid pension benefit with fixed contributions that grow throughout your career
• Matching contributions to your 401(k) savings plan (total contributions can reach between 7% and 12% of your pay, depending on age and years of service)
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Paid parental leave and family building support
• Fitness benefits
• Company-paid life insurance and disability
• Disease management programs
• Paid time off
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support you and your family
• Recognition program to celebrate successes and reward contributions