Senior Crystal Growth Process Engineer

LightWorks Optical Systems - Murrieta, CA

Murrieta, CA

Primary Metal Manufacturing

About the position

Responsible for operation of sapphire crystal growth equipment utilizing edge-defined film-fed growth and heat-exchanger methods, and any other related processes. Supports design of production equipment and process, leads improvements, updating and creating process documentation, troubleshooting, cost reduction initiatives, cycle-time reduction, process stability, and metrics tracking. Initiates and leads new process/product development to meet internal and external customer requirements.

Responsibilities

• Identifies and monitors critical crystal growth process parameters, addresses factors that impact process control, yield, and throughput.
• Creates/maintains crystal growth procedures, SPC charts and related paperwork.
• Investigates data to establish correlations & trends, improvements, and root cause failure analysis for existing processes.
• Utilizes fundamental understanding of materials science and crystal growth to develop new growth processes to meet internal and external customer requirements.
• Leads the implementation of processes/technology from R&D to manufacturing.
• Supports manufacturing operations in capacity expansion and supplier qualification while maintaining quality and meeting product specifications.
• Generates scientific and technical ideas, contributes to the Intellectual Property Portfolio of Coherent by writing disclosures and patents.
• Participates in scientific meetings.

Requirements

• Bachelor's in Materials Science, Engineering, Physics, or Chemistry.
• Master's or Ph.D. degree in related technical field is a strong plus.
• Minimum 5 years of melt crystal growth experience, preferably with sapphire, YAG, spinel or other high-melting materials.
• Hands-on experience in the operation of high temperature furnaces, power supplies, vacuum systems, and infrastructure equipment.

Nice-to-haves

• Good command of crystal growth principles, materials science, and their application to crystal growth technology in industrial environment.
• Working knowledge of crystal growth equipment troubleshooting.
• Experience with SPC and DoE, maintaining records, preparing reports and technical summaries, internal and external presentations.
• Proficiency in CAD, preferably SolidWorks.
• Demonstrated ability to achieve results independently or working as part of a team, working with employees in a multi-cultural, global team environment.
• Sets a high standard of ethics, professionalism, leadership, and competency.

Benefits

• All employees are required to attend scheduled training, follow the site EHS procedures and Corporate EHS standards.
• Wears safety gear for extended period of time, including safety glasses, respirator, and safety shoes.