Thin-Film PVD Process Development Engineer — Chicago, IL

You’ll start most mornings on the production floor of our West Chicago Coating Center, shoulder-to-shoulder with operators, technicians, and the Plant Manager. By lunch, you may be iterating on a new thin-film recipe in collaboration with R&D, then closing the day by reviewing data trends to lift yield and throughput. If you enjoy moving seamlessly from hands-on experiments to structured problem-solving, this role was built for you.

About Ionbond – The Surface Engineers™

Ionbond provides advanced coating solutions across aerospace, medical, food contact, automotive, decorative, tooling, and fuel cell applications. Our portfolio spans hard, low-friction, wear-resistant coatings based on PVD, PACVD, and CVD technologies. With 30+ job-coating centers in 15 countries across Europe, North America, and Asia, Ionbond is one of the world’s largest coating networks and is part of the IHI Group.

What you’ll do

• Act as a key technical resource for PVD coating operations, planning, mentoring, and coaching through all steps of surface engineered solution production.
• Partner closely with the Plant Manager to develop applications and scale major programs from concept through stable production.
• Use statistical techniques to improve process capability and apply failure analysis methodologies to investigate and identify root causes (8D, Fishbone, 5 Whys).
• Recommend and implement equipment and process modifications and upgrades that drive continuous improvement.
• Maintain Ionbond’s Quality Management System to ISO 9001:2016 standards and train plant personnel on procedures and work instructions.
• Apply Lean Manufacturing methods, including 5S, Kanban, and Value Stream Mapping, to optimize flow, volume, and quality yields.
• Lead and contribute to small- and medium-sized projects, from planning through execution and sustainment.
• Perform other related duties as needed to support a high-performing operation.

What you bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Materials Science/Metallurgy, or Plasma Physics.
• 3+ years of experience in the vacuum coating field with specialization in thin film coatings.
• Hands-on experience with PVD coatings and coating systems.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D quality standards.
• Strong problem-solving skills using 8D, Fishbone, and Five Whys.
• Experience with the APQP approach, including PFMEA and Control Plans.
• Mechanical design skills and proficiency in AutoCAD or similar CAD tools.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, strong work ethic, attention to detail, and organizational strength.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally (approximately 10%).

Tools & methods you’ll use

• Lean tools: 5S, Kanban, Value Stream Mapping
• Statistical analysis and failure analysis methodologies
• ERP software

Why Ionbond

We’re committed to unleashing potential, locally and globally. Expect a collaborative, diverse environment that values teamwork, innovation, and customer service excellence.

• International and local growth opportunities
• Competitive compensation based on experience and education
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision plans with affordable premiums and deductibles
• Flexible Spending Accounts (medical and dependent care)
• Life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Tuition Reimbursement
• 401(k) Safe Harbor Retirement Account plus company match
• Bonus plan eligibility

How to apply

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Compliance

Additionally, the candidate must be able to pass a background check and be eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.