08 - Lead Process Engineer, Conformal Coating

Celestica International LP • Plano, TX

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Conformal Coating Engineer for our Solar/Alternative Energy division is responsible for developing, optimizing, and maintaining coating processes for PCBAs deployed in harsh outdoor environments. Because solar electronics (such as inverters, optimizers, and tracking controllers) face extreme thermal cycling, high UV exposure, and moisture over a 15-25 year lifespan, this role focuses heavily on long-term reliability, high-voltage electrical isolation, and environmental ruggedization.

Requirements

• Deep understanding of IPC-CC-830 and IPC-A-610 Class 3 (High Reliability) standards.
• Expertise in automated selective coating equipment (e.g., Nordson ASYMTEK, PVA) and curing systems (UV, thermal moisture-cure).
• Familiarity with the chemical and mechanical properties of coatings under continuous UV and thermal stress.
• Data-driven problem solver (DOE, FMEA) with the ability to collaborate closely with Hardware Design and Quality teams.
• 3-5+ years of experience in PCBA conformal coating, with a strong preference for high-power electronics, automotive, or outdoor industrial applications.
• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of potting/encapsulation compounds (often used alongside coatings in solar inverters).
• Experience with UL/IEC certification processes for outdoor electronic enclosures.
• Six Sigma Green or Black Belt

Responsibilities

• Develop, validate, and document coating processes using materials optimized for outdoor resilience (e.g., UV-stabilized silicones, heavy-duty urethanes) to protect against moisture ingress, salt spray, and dust.
• Ensure coating application meets stringent dielectric breakdown strength requirements, mitigating risks of arcing and surface tracking on high-power solar PCBAs.
• Support qualification testing mimicking field conditions, including accelerated aging, thermal shock (e.g., -40°C to 85°C+), damp heat ($85^ ext{o}C$ / 85% RH), and UV degradation studies.
• Lead troubleshooting for critical outdoor failure modes like delamination, filiform corrosion, or cracking due to thermal expansion mismatch.
• Program and optimize selective coating systems to ensure precise keep-out zones around high-power terminals, connectors, and thermal management components.
• Ensure all coating materials and processes comply with safety standards specific to renewable energy electronics, including UL 746E and relevant IEC standards.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior