Process Engineer, PVD Coatings & Surface Treatments

Calico Coatings • Denver, CO

13d • Onsite

About The Position

Calico Coatings, part of The HEF Group, is a global leader in tribology, offering innovative nitriding surface treatments and PVD thin-film coating solutions. The company specializes in corrosion, wear, and friction reduction for automotive and industrial machinery components. HEF operates 70 facilities worldwide, providing a range of services including Liquid Nitriding, PVD coating, tribology testing, and engineered sleeve bearings. This role will be based within Calico Coatings in Denver, NC, and requires the candidate to live within 50 miles of the plant.

Requirements

• 4-year science/engineering degree minimum – preferably in Metallurgical Engineering or Materials Science.
• 2-5 years of experience in process engineering related to metallurgical surface treatments and coatings preferred.
• Strong metallurgical understanding of ferrous-based materials (steel) and heat treatment essential.
• Good understanding of surface engineering technologies as applied to wear-resistant hard coatings is essential.
• Basic knowledge of common industrial and automotive applications required.
• Experience with customizing existing metallurgical processes to meet customer’s specific technical requirements.
• Proven ability to drive process improvement and change, with results that have impacted the business.
• Ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders within the customer’s and parent organization – product & process engineers, operations and sales staff, etc.
• Must have strong leadership, training and facilitation skills.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of metallurgical services such as heat treatment, electroplating, nitriding, thermal spray coatings, etc., as applied to automotive or industrial equipment/component manufacturers is a plus.
• Demonstrated Application Engineering skills is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide operations support by implementing effective process controls for PVD coating technologies and other surface treatments.
• Lead process development and certification for new PVD coating and other surface treatment applications.
• Perform root cause investigations and implement operational corrective and preventative actions to solve technical, process, and/or material/metallurgical issues.
• Responsible for surface treatment qualification and certification requirements to maintain operational, engineering, and quality compliance.
• Develop and manage technical documents that provide engineering requirements for PVD Coating and other coating operations.
• Provide process-related training to production, quality, and metallurgical lab staff.
• Collaborate with sales and assist operations staff to develop new applications for PVD Coatings and other surface treatments.
• Liaise with HEF Group R&D and Application Engineering organizations across facilities to develop effective working relationships and enhance surface treatment expertise.
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional societies.

What This Job Offers

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