Systems / Equipment Engineer - Optical Coating Systems
Coherent · Budd Lake, NJ
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 5+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 17 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level manufacturing role at Coherent (industrial) in Budd Lake, NJ. A ccountability – Own the Process and the Outcome.
- They ask for
- 5+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- PLC, Painting / coating, EHS / safety
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in New Jersey: typical posted base $96k–$172k.
Median of the low and high ends of 9 live postings that list pay, out of 58 manufacturing engineer openings in New Jersey, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
New Jersey plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 57 other live manufacturing postings in New Jersey.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (5+ vs 10+)
Typical $96k–$172k, from 9 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 10+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Root cause 74%
- Lean 72%
- Team leadership 71%
- Capacity planning 64%
- 5S 64%
- Time studies 60%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for PLC, Painting / coating, EHS / safety, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at Coherent
We found 2 people at this company and state: 1 in this kind of role, 1 leaders. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to Ryan → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Coherent in Budd Lake
7 other open roles at this site · 2 people we found in manufacturing roles at Coherent.
- Manufacturing Technician - 2nd Shift · Manufacturing · Technician
- Subject Matter Expert (Manufacturing Engineer) - Optics Polishing · Manufacturing
- Manufacturing Engineer - Crystal Growth Operations · Production
- Manufacturing Technician- Crystal Growth · Manufacturing · Technician
- Manufacturing Technician - 1st shift · Manufacturing · Technician
- Manufacturing Technician / Coating Department · Manufacturing · Technician
Full description from CoherentAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Troubleshoot, maintain, upgrade, and improve optical coating deposition systems using evaporation and sputtering technologies.
- ◆Support system programming, configuration, and troubleshooting, including PLC and HMI systems.
- ◆Diagnose electrical, mechanical, vacuum, process-control, and equipment-related issues.
- ◆Collaborate with process engineers, technicians, equipment suppliers, and cross-functional teams to improve system reliability and performance.
- ◆Develop and maintain equipment documentation, operating procedures, maintenance instructions, and system records.
- ◆Support equipment installations, modifications, commissioning, and qualification activities.
- ◆Promote safe work practices and compliance with applicable company procedures.
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Controls
- ✓Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 3 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD without years experience; or equivalent work experience.
- ✓Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field.
- ✓Two or more years of experience supporting industrial, vacuum, semiconductor, optical, or coating equipment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- ✓Experience with PLC- and HMI-based control systems.
- ✓Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- ✓Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, and equipment documentation.
- ✓Ability to work effectively in a hands-on manufacturing and engineering environment.
- ✓Ability to occasionally lift and move up to 40 lbs. of material/equipment on manufacturing floor.
- ✓Willing and able to occasionally work in a clean room properly gowned.
Preferred Experience
- ✓Ion Beam Sputtering systems.
- ✓E-beam and thermal evaporation sources.
- ✓High-vacuum systems, vacuum pumps, gauges, and leak detection.
- ✓Thin-film deposition equipment and process-control systems.
- ✓Industrial networking, instrumentation, motion control, or data acquisition systems.
Safety
Requirements
All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.
Quality and Environmental
Responsibilities
Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and
responsibilities
within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.
Culture Commitment
Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:
I ntegrity – Create an Environment of Trust
C ollaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas
A ccountability – Own the Process and the Outcome
R espect – Recognize the Value in Everyone
E nthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work
Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!
Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Systems/Equipment Engineer – Optical Coating Systems
We are seeking a Systems/Equipment Engineer at our Budd Lake, NJ facility to support the operation, troubleshooting, maintenance, and continuous improvement of optical coating deposition systems. The ideal candidate will have experience with vacuum-based manufacturing equipment, industrial controls, and system-level troubleshooting.
