Luxel Corporation

04/24/2026

WE ARE HIRING!
Position: Accounting Manager

About Luxel: For over 53 years, Luxel Corporation has been a global leader in the design and manufacture of ultrathin freestanding polymer and metallized optical bandpass filters. Our expertise supports mission-critical applications in spaceflight, semiconductor EUV lithography, fusion energy and research. Beyond our core filters, we provide specialized polymer supports for microscopy and high-performance physical v***r deposition furnaces. What sets us apart is our relentless focus on refinement; pairing advanced technical design with world-class manufacturing to provide high-quality, reliable solutions for our global customer base.

Location: Friday Harbor, WA (No relocation costs will be covered.)
Position Type: 32-40 hours. On-site (no remote work option)
Schedule: Monday – Friday 8:00 – 5:00 (40 hours) or Monday – Friday 8:00 – 3:30
Pay Range: Base salary of $95,000-120,000 annual salary (DOE)
Reports To: Head of Business Operations

BENEFITS:
Employer Paid Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
401K – up to 4% company match, HSA, and FSA
12 Paid Holidays
Generous Paid Time Off
Quarterly bonus plan
Luxel Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. We offer an outstanding work environment, competitive pay, and generous benefits including a bonus plan over the hourly wage.

Summary: The Accounting Manager reports directly to the Head of Business Operations. The Accounting Manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day accounting functions as well as compiling the monthly financial statements. The position is also responsible for all functions of payroll, bonus reporting and employee benefits.
Learn more >> https://luxel.com/careers/

12/23/2025

We are hiring!
Position: Business Specialist

About Luxel
Luxel, established in 1975, is the world leader in freestanding ultra-thin optical films used for semiconductor microchip lithography, high energy photonics and laser targets, spaceflight. Other products include thermal ev***rative equipment and thin films for neuroscience microscopy.

Location: Friday Harbor, WA
Position Type: Full-time, on site (no remote work option)
Schedule: Full-time Monday – Friday 8:00 – 5:00
Pay Range: $29.00–$35.00 per hour (DOE)
Reports To: Chief Operating Officer
Benefits: Employer Paid Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance, 401K, Paid Holidays, Generous Paid Time Off and a quarterly bonus plan

Position Summary
Luxel is looking for a Business Specialist, a “front-office” position and who keeps the details moving and the business running smoothly. You’ll partner across teams to support order flow, purchasing, shipping, accounting support, and office operations—bringing speed, accuracy, and calm to a dynamic, high-impact environment.

Learn more >> https://luxel.com/careers/

12/11/2025

How Luxel Filters Help Us Understand Solar Storms and Predict Northern Lights

When you see breathtaking Northern Lights dancing over the San Juan Islands, there’s a good chance that advanced solar-monitoring technology—like the ultrathin and precise filters made by Luxel Corporation, headquartered right here on San Juan Island—played a role in the science behind the forecast.

What Luxel Filters Do
While Luxel's highly specialized optical filters are primarily used for semiconductor microchip inspection and laser target development in the fusion energy sector, the company's heritage traces back to the 1970s when its filters were first used for spaceflight missions, including solar probes and satellites. These filters allow scientists to isolate and measure specific wavelengths of light emitted by the Sun. By filtering out unwanted light and capturing only the precise energy bands researchers need, these instruments can monitor the Sun with exceptional clarity and accuracy.

Why This Matters
One of the major solar events that scientists monitor is a Coronal Mass Ejection, or CME. A CME occurs when the Sun releases a large burst of charged particles into space. When this burst travels toward Earth, it can interact with the magnetic field that surrounds our planet. This interaction can create auroras, disrupt radio signals, influence satellite operations, and increase radiation levels in space.

How This Connects to the Northern Lights
When a CME is strong and moving toward Earth, space-weather agencies analyze data from solar probes to estimate how fast it is traveling and when it will arrive. If the conditions are right, regions that do not usually see auroras may have the chance to experience them. Over the past two years, several strong CMEs have created rare and beautiful aurora displays visible from the San Juan Islands.

Why It Matters to the Public
Knowing how solar activity is monitored helps explain why aurora alerts appear and what they mean. Satellites and solar probes equipped with Luxel filters help scientists track these solar events and improve forecasting. This work helps protect satellites and power systems. It also gives communities the chance to prepare for and enjoy the Northern Lights when they appear over places like the San Juan Islands.

12/06/2025

HIRING NOW: LAB TECHNICIAN
Luxel is the world leader in freestanding ultra-thin films used as EUV and soft x-ray bandpass optical filters and pressure windows. We are active in diverse fields such as x-ray astronomy, fusion energy research, extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL), synchrotron radiation research, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We have an immediate opening for a full-time Lab Technician to join our growing team. The position will consist of 65% time as a Metrology Technician and 35% time as a Film Processing Technician.

A Metrology Technician is responsible for performing and documenting precision optical and mechanical measurements to verify that all components and assemblies meet engineering and quality specifications. This role involves the use of metrology instruments to evaluate dimensional accuracy, surface quality, and optical performance. Working closely with the manufacturing and quality teams, a Metrology Technician plays a vital role in ensuring process control and product integrity.

A Film Processing Technician is responsible for performing and documenting all the process steps between the film deposition process steps and the filter assembly process steps. This role utilizes custom in-house designed and built mechanical equipment to ensure that ultra-thin optical films are processed to prevent the introduction of defects and contamination.

LEARN MORE >> https://luxel.com/careers/

08/06/2025

Luxel Corporation Appoints Adrian Polliack, PhD, as President

Luxel Corporation, a recognized leader in advanced materials and technology solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Adrian Polliack, PhD, as President, effective July 31, 2025. Dr. Polliack will oversee day-to-day management, strategic growth initiatives, and operational excellence programs. Travis Ayers, who has served as President since 2007, and remains the owner of Luxel Corporation, will transition to the role of Chief Executive Officer, continuing to guide Luxel’s long-term vision.

Dr. Polliack brings extensive leadership experience in the medtech and specialty chemicals industries, with expertise in executive management, global business development, innovation, product development, and supply chain optimization. As CEO of Bergstrom Nutrition, a leading manufacturer of MSM (dimethyl sulfone), he drove significant growth, culminating in a successful acquisition by Balchem Corporation, where he facilitated seamless integration for an additional year. Previously, Dr. Polliack served as President of SAM Medical Products, a global leader in emergency medical devices, and founded and led two innovative ventures: POLL Medical, developing an oral device for head and neck cancer radiotherapy, and Diatomix, a specialty chemical company focused on air purification technology.

Dr. Polliack holds degrees in Chemistry and Biomedical Engineering and is an accomplished inventor with 11 issued patents. His industry leadership includes serving as Board Chair for both the Oregon Bioscience Association and the Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

“I am honored to join Luxel Corporation and lead its next phase of growth through innovation, market expansion, and operational excellence,” said Dr. Polliack. “Luxel’s exceptional team and strong culture are invaluable assets, and I am confident that my experience in driving strategic growth will help elevate the company’s global impact. I look forward to collaborating with the team to build on Luxel’s remarkable legacy.”

“We are pleased to welcome Adrian to our close-knit team in Friday Harbor”, said Travis Ayers, CEO. “His proven leadership and strategic expertise align perfectly with Luxel’s vision and I look forward to supporting him during this transition to ensure continued success with our valued partners.”

About Luxel Corporation
Founded in 1974, Luxel Corporation is a global leader in ultrathin freestanding bandpass filters serving industries including semiconductors, fusion research, spaceflight, advanced display technology, and electron microscopy. Headquartered in Friday Harbor, Washington, Luxel is driven by a commitment to excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction.

Contact:
Luxel Corporation
Phone: (360) 378-4137
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.luxel.com

09/06/2024

We're seeking a Sales Engineer to join our growing team! Please visit https://luxel.com/careers/

03/22/2024

We continue to grow! If you are interested in joining us as a Lab Technician, please see the link below. PC: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory https://luxel.com/careers/

02/09/2024

Luxel Corporation was founded in Santa Barbara, CA in 1974 and relocated to Friday Harbor, WA in the San Juan Islands a short time later. Today Luxel is a thriving small business and world leader producing freestanding ultra thin membranes used as soft x-ray and extreme ultraviolet bandpass filters, thermal ev***ration sources, and tissue supports for electron microscopy.

Our unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation has not only been a hallmark of our success but has also set the industry standard. Through the years, Luxel products have enabled cutting-edge research and are used in a wide variety of technical industries.

Luxel’s filters are used in semiconductor device manufacturing, record-breaking laser fusion experiments, satellite missions, and more.

Our thermal ev***ration RADAK® furnaces help further fundamental thin-film deposition research, Organic LED (OLED) displays and photovoltaics.

GridTape®, our reel-to-reel sample support for high-throughput transmission electron microscopy (TEM), is critical to imaging brain tissue at synaptic resolution in the developing connectomics field.

The Luxel team enjoys bringing all of these products to you and one thing that brings us great joy is the support of a wonderful customer base. Thank you.

If you would like to share a few words about your experience with Luxel through the decades, we would love to share them internally with our team. Please email [email protected].

With gratitude,

Travis Ayers
President

09/23/2023

We are looking for our next great team member in the front office! https://luxel.com/careers/

08/30/2023

Solar Exploration Revolutionized with the STEREO Mission | Featuring Meshed LUXFilm® Polyimide/Aluminum

The STEREO mission, launched in 2006 with Meshed LUXFilm® Polyimide/ Aluminum and meshed Aluminum on the SECCHI instrument. It revolutionized our understanding of the Sun by providing the first stereoscopic view of our closest star. STEREO-A and STEREO-B successfully achieved a 180-degree separation in their orbits, allowing humanity to witness the Sun as a complete sphere for the first time. Despite losing contact with STEREO-B in 2014, STEREO-A continues to capture invaluable solar views. In August 2023, as STEREO-A completes a full revolution around the Sun, scientists are capitalizing on this opportunity to gather important data. By combining views with other observatories, such as SOHO and SDO, STEREO-A is able to achieve a unique stereoscopic vision and extract 3D information from solar images. This mission has truly revolutionized our understanding of the Sun and opened new possibilities for scientific exploration.

Learn More:

On Aug. 12, 2023, NASA’s STEREO-A spacecraft will pass between the Sun and Earth, marking the first Earth flyby of the nearly 17-year-old mission.