Coating Engineer (f/m/d)

Company Overview

Focused Energy is the leading laser-driven fusion company, pursuing the most promising path to clean, limitless fusion power. With locations in Darmstadt, Germany, and the San Francisco Bay Area, we bring together top scientific and engineering minds to unlock commercially viable fusion energy using proven technologies. We are driving the next chapter of economic growth and scientific innovation through the widespread adoption of clean, abundant fusion energy.

Role Overview

As a Coating Engineer (f/m/d), you will play a critical role in the advancement and scaling of our unique high-throughput coating processes for fusion target production. You’ll serve as the technical expert for coating systems—driving process innovation, implementing robust quality controls, and working closely with cross-functional teams to deliver high-performance, production-ready coated targets essential for fusion energy.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and optimization of high-throughput coating processes for mm-sized spherical plastic targets, ensuring uniform thickness, minimal defects, and production-scale throughput.

• Design, develop, and optimize plasma systems (RF-PECVD, microwave-PECVD, ICP) for C-H (carbon-hydrogen) coatings, including plasma generation, precursor gas selection, and process scaling.

• Define metallic coating processes (electroless plating, PVD, CVD) for spherical substrates with an emphasis on uniformity and multi-layer strategies.

• Establish quality standards, testing methods, and statistical process control for consistent, high-quality coated targets.

• Serve as the technical authority for all coating-related matters, providing expertise in coating chemistry, plasma physics, and materials science.

• Evaluate, specify, and validate coating equipment; collaborate with suppliers to customize systems for spherical target production.

• Work across mechanical, manufacturing, quality, and operations teams to ensure coating integration and process alignment.

• Produce technical documentation, process control procedures, and interface specifications to company standards.

• Support commissioning, troubleshooting, and optimization of coating systems onsite.

• Adapt processes as production requirements evolve, driving continuous improvement and innovation.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a related field (PhD preferred).

• Minimum 7+ years of hands-on experience in coating processes, with expertise in metal coating technologies (electroplating, PVD, CVD, electroless plating) and plasma-based systems (PECVD).

• Strong understanding of plasma physics, plasma generation, plasma-chemical reactions, and C-H (carbon-hydrogen) coating synthesis.

• Demonstrated experience developing high-throughput coating processes and scaling laboratory processes to production.

• Proven ability in process development and optimization for quality, uniformity, and throughput in high-volume manufacturing environments.

• Knowledge of adhesion mechanisms, coating defects, surface preparation, and substrate pretreatment for plastics.

• Strong problem-solving, technical writing, and communication skills for documentation and team collaboration.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with metal coating on organic material.

• Hands-on experience with RF-PECVD, microwave-PECVD, or ICP plasma systems.

• Track record of developing high-uniformity coatings for spherical or complex geometries at production scale.

• Familiarity with vacuum systems, automated handling, and robotic coating systems.

• PhD in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or Physics.

Focused Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Focused Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Certain roles may be eligible for incentive compensation, equity, benefits.