Thin Film Engineering Technician
Job Description Job Description Location: Doylestown, PA Department: Production - Coating Reports to: Production Manager - Coating Job Summary We are seeking a highly experienced and innovative Thin Film Engineering Technician to work with the R&D Engineering team on the design, hands-on development, and optimization of advanced optical coatings for electronic display, touchscreen, precision optics, and aerospace applications (including satellites and interplanetary spacecraft). This role is pivotal in supporting high-performance and high-reliability aerospace, defense, avionic, medical, and industrial markets. This is an excellent opportunity for an energetic, forward-thinking individual to work in a fun, fast-paced environment. In this role, you will: Collaborate with engineers, technicians, and production staff to ensure successful transfer of coating designs and process details to manufacturing. Help create and optimize processes for complex thin film coatings (e.g., AR, dichroic short wave pass filters, dielectrically enhanced ITO coatings) using industry-standard software (TFCalc, FilmStar) and through hands on processing of batch and roll-to roll thin film coating systems. Operate and help maintain thin film vacuum deposition systems (e-beam, ion-assisted deposition, sputtering) in a cleanroom environment. Prepare, run, and monitor thin film coating processes, including multilayer stacks for reflection, transmission, and conductivity performance. Measure and evaluate coatings using optical and physical metrology tools (e.g., spectrophotometers, profilometers, ellipsometers, adhesion and abrasion resistance). Troubleshoot coating runs/defects and assist with root cause analysis for process deviations. Help perform preventive maintenance on vacuum pumps, chambers, and associated equipment. Support fixture design and provide input on process improvements. Help develop and maintain process documentation including best practice work instructions, engineering-to-production work order conversions, FMEA, control plans, and PPAPs. Mentor less experienced technicians and provide technical leadership across coating operations. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate customer specifications into manufacturable coating solutions. Maintain accurate documentation of processes, runs, and test results. Support production as needed. Safely handle equipment and materials in accordance with company policies and industry standards. Why Join Dontech? Since 1971, Dontech has been at the forefront of engineering and manufacturing advanced optical coatings, filters, and assemblies that solve mission-critical challenges in aerospace, avionics, military, medical, and high-reliability industrial applications. We innovate solutions for problems worth solving - whether it’s creating conductive optical filters for cockpit displays, thermal coatings for satellites, or transparent heaters for medical imaging systems. As a Thin Film Engineering Technician, you’ll be part of a close-knit, results-driven team dedicated to innovation, continuous improvement, and customer satisfaction. At Dontech, you won’t just be operating equipment—you’ll be contributing to the performance and reliability of systems that matter. We are a privately held, family-owned company with a 50 year track record of growth, teamwork, and integrity. If you value hands-on problem-solving, technical excellence, and a collaborative culture, we’d love to have you apply to be considered for our team. Qualifications Associate’s degree in a technical discipline (physics, engineering technology, optics, or similar) or high school diploma with equivalent relevant technical experience – combination of hands on and formal education towards a Bachelor of Science in Optical or Electrical Engineering, or towards a Bachelor of Science in Physics. We value high skill level and relevant experience over only having the formal education. Candidates with significant relevant experience are encouraged to apply. 5–10 years of experience in high-performance optical thin film coating design and manufacturing. Hands-on experience with thin film vacuum deposition processes (electron beam, ion-assisted, DLC, sputtering, and IBS). Deep understanding of high vacuum systems, deposition physics, and thin film characterization. Familiarity with optical test equipment and coating evaluation methods. Proficiency in coating design software and optical simulation tools. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Experience in low to mid-volume, high-mix production environments. Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Ability to follow detailed work instructions and keep accurate technical records. Excellent communication skills (written and verbal). Reliable, on-site attendance. U.S. Citizenship or U.S. Person status required (per ITAR regulations). Dontech may consider candidates with less experience who demonstrate strong technical (e.g., mechanical/electrical) aptitude, attention to detail, and eagerness to learn. Pay rate offered would be commensurate with experience. The Physical Demands: The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is: Regularly required to communicate, verbally (in person or over the phone), in writing and via email; Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to handle, hold or reach; Ability to lift up to 20 lbs. regularly; Ability to lift up to 45 lbs. occasionally (may be done with the assistance of another employee); Ability to perform duties inside a clean room, wearing required appropriate gowning, including but not limited to latex/non-latex gloves, and paper half-mask; Considerable mental and visual effort; Color vision correctable to 20/20; Occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles and electrical shock; Occasionally working in an area where the noise level is above normal; and Must be odor tolerant of cleaning agents (e.g., acetone, rubbing alcohol). What We Offer Compensation includes a competitive base hourly pay rate, taking into consideration applicable experience. Eligible for overtime and annual bonus consideration. Opportunities for technical growth and hands-on learning in advanced optics and thin film technology. A collaborative environment rooted in Dontech’s Core Values: innovation, teamwork, integrity, customer satisfaction, and employee work/life balance. The chance to make a direct impact on high-reliability applications—from aircraft cockpits to space exploration. Dontech's Benefits Package for Full-Time Regular employees (regular schedules of 30 hours per week) includes: Medical (or opt-out), including Telemedicine and a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) option Vision Prescription Dental Hospital / Accident / Critical Illness options 401(k) Profit Sharing Flexible spending accounts for health care or dependent care savings Life (Company paid as well as optional additional voluntary coverage) Short-term Disability Long-term Disability Legal Insurance option Identity Theft Insurance option Training Opportunities Tuition Reimbursement Employee Assistance Program Paid Time Off (prorated for regular schedules between 30 and 40 hours/week) Paid Holidays (prorated for regular schedules between 30 and 40 hours/week) Ready to apply? If you’re excited by the idea of innovating coatings that perform in the world’s most demanding environments, we’d like to hear from you. Apply today and help Dontech continue solving problems worth solving. Dontech Inc. is located in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, north of Philadelphia in Central Bucks County. Dontech Inc. 700 Airport Blvd. Doylestown, PA 18902 http://www.dontech.com/ Apply through this site or by mail to above listed address. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Dontech Inc, please call Human Resources at 215-348-5010.
