Aculon, a leading specialty chemical company located in Sorrento Valley, San Diego, is seeking a full-time Coatings & Applications Engineer to join our laboratory and applications team. This is a hands-on engineering role focused on developing, optimizing, and supporting advanced coating technologies for electronics and industrial surfaces.
Position Summary
The Coatings & Applications Engineer will develop and optimize coating application processes for a wide variety of substrates, including PCBs, semiconductor components, stencils, heat exchangers, laptops, and other engineered surfaces. This role bridges R&D, manufacturing, and customer support, and requires strong practical skills in coating methods, equipment operation, and problem solving.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and optimize application methods for solution-based coatings using spray, dip, dispense, and jetting equipment
- Apply and evaluate coatings on electronic assemblies, stencils, and industrial components
- Provide technical and applications support to internal teams and customers, including training and occasional on-site visits
- Support new application development, prototyping, and performance testing
- Assist in the transfer of processes from R&D to manufacturing
- Troubleshoot coating and process issues in development and production
- Evaluate new materials, chemistries, and surface-treatment technologies to improve coating performance and durability
- Collaborate with R&D, Quality, Manufacturing, Sales, and external suppliers
- Prepare technical documentation, process instructions, and equipment capability reports
- Operate and maintain lab equipment including sprayers, dispensing systems, jetting systems, 3D printers, and Nordson equipment
- Perform other related duties as needed in a fast-paced lab environment
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field (Master’s degree a plus)
- 2+ years of experience in applications engineering, process engineering, or lab-based development
- Experience with electronics coatings or surface treatments strongly preferred
- Hands-on experience with coating equipment and lab instrumentation
- Familiarity with spray, dispense, and jet application systems (Nordson or similar experience a plus)
- Comfortable working in a lab environment with chemicals, mechanical systems, and process equipment and stand for extended periods of time
- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, and CRM (Salesforce)
- CAD (a plus)
- Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team
- Physical & Work Environment Requirements
- Ability to work in a manufacturing environment around chemicals, testing equipment and production equipment.
- Use of PPE (gloves, goggles, respirators, etc.) as required.
- Ability to lift containers up to 25–40 lbs
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $85,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- engineering: 2 years (Required)
Work Location: In person
