Conformal Coating Lead

The Conformal Coating Lead is responsible for overseeing all conformal coating operations within a printed circuit assembly (PCA) manufacturing environment. This role combines hands-on technical execution with team leadership, process control, and cross-functional coordination to ensure coated assemblies meet customer, quality, and reliability requirements.

This position leads masking, spraying, curing, inspection, and rework activities while managing a team of conformal coating process technicians. The Conformal Coating Lead is accountable for throughput, quality, training, and continuous improvement of the conformal coating process.

Key Responsibilities

Production & Process Control

• Lead daily conformal coating operations including masking, spraying, curing, inspection, and de-masking of circuit boards

• Ensure proper application of conformal coating, verifying full coverage, correct thickness, and absence of bubbles, voids, leaks, or skips

• Monitor and troubleshoot oven profiles, cure times, and temperature deviations to ensure coating integrity

• Perform spot checks on masked assemblies and coated boards to ensure compliance with work instructions and quality standards

• Adjust and maintain stencils, fixtures, spray equipment, and masking methods as needed

Team Leadership & Training

• Supervise and manage a team of conformal coating process technicians

• Set daily priorities, manage pacing, and ensure technicians meet production targets

• Train new hires and existing staff on:

  • Masking techniques and tape pulls

  • Spray application methods

  • Visual inspection criteria and defect identification

  • Handling, ESD, and cleanliness requirements

• Provide coaching, feedback, and skill development to improve consistency and quality

Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Identify, log, and track rejects, defects, and rework trends

• Analyze defect data to identify recurring issues and drive corrective actions

• Work closely with Quality and Engineering to resolve coating-related nonconformances

• Support audits, customer requirements, and documentation related to conformal coating processes

Planning, Logistics & Coordination

• Coordinate with Production Planning, Logistics, and Manufacturing teams to manage inbound and outbound PCA flow

• Ensure coated assemblies are routed correctly:

  • Back to production

  • To inspection or test

  • To shipping for customer delivery

• Communicate capacity constraints, schedule risks, and process issues proactively

Required Qualifications

• Electronics or manufacturing background with hands-on experience in PCA processing

• Experience with conformal coating processes (manual or selective spray preferred)

• Proven ability to lead and manage a team in a production environment

• Strong understanding of:

  • Masking materials and techniques

  • Cure ovens and temperature control

  • Visual inspection standards for coated assemblies

• Ability to read and follow work instructions, travelers, and process documentation

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in high-reliability manufacturing (Class 3, aerospace, defense, or medical)

• Familiarity with IPC standards related to conformal coating (IPC-CC-830, IPC-A-610)

• Experience identifying and resolving process trends using defect data

• Prior experience working cross-functionally with Planning, Quality, and Engineering

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• Ability to stand for extended periods and work hands-on in a manufacturing environment

• Ability to handle small components and perform detailed visual inspections

• Use of PPE and compliance with ESD and safety requirements

What Success Looks Like in This Role

• Consistent, high-quality conformal coating with minimal rework or escapes

• A well-trained, efficient coating team that maintains pace with production demand

• Clear visibility into defects and trends, with continuous process improvements

• Strong coordination between coating, planning, and logistics to prevent bottlenecks