Development Engineer

Scope of Position: 
Design, develop, improve and industrialize Optical Fiber manufacturing platforms (platform = process + equipment) for revolutionary manufacturing processes, thereby enabling step-change reductions in manufacturing cost and/or enabling new products with advantaged attributes. Drive for root-cause fundamental understanding of limitations in manufacturing processes.  Use scientific method and engineering principles to solve problems thoroughly and effectively, using well-designed and executed process experiments. Translate understanding and experimental solutions to engineering requirements, then further to process and/or equipment designs which deliver performance criteria. Work is typically completed as a member of a technology development team chartered with improving one or more of the following: manufacturing yields, process rate, machine utilization, product quality, new product quality, environmental compliance, raw material yield, and/or energy usage.

Day to Day Responsibilities:
•    Learn & understand process & equipment functions in existing glassmaking manufacturing within optical fiber.
•    Design, develop, and industrialize manufacturing platforms (platform = process + equipment) for revolutionary glassmaking manufacturing processes.  Re-design machine/process systems or sub-systems to solve safety, performance, or quality issues, or reduce either the as-installed or long-term operational costs.
•    Participate on cross functional teams, from concept, design, prototype, to Manufacturing. 
•    Provide troubleshooting support to the prototype platform during development and demonstration phase.
•    Designing and executing equipment validation test in a manufacturing plant; analyzing data, drawing conclusions, and making recommendations 
•    Use the Scientific Method to drive for fundamental understanding. 
•    Effectively document and communicate results within team and to upper management. 

Travel Requirements:
•    <5% domestic and international possible

Hours of work/work schedule/flex-time:
•    40+ hours per week, primarily 8AM to 5PM schedule with flexibility based upon personal preference and project need.  The position is overtime exempt.  Overtime is not uncommon and is indeed expected at times, however the amount and duration will vary as a function of the job position, particular project, and point in the project life cycle.

Required Skills:
•    A process engineering background with emphasis on chemical transport and reaction processes as well as resultant product and equipment performance.
•    Working knowledge of physical phenomena (e.g., static and dynamic physics, heat and mass transfer, etc.) with a strong background in utilizing this knowledge to improve manufacturing processes and product attributes. 
•    Use scientific method and fundamental engineering principles to solve problems thoroughly and effectively, using well-designed and executed process experiments.
•    Desire to be hands-on in order to effectively troubleshoot processes and equipment, execute experiments and gather observations and results.
•    Drive for root cause fundamental understanding of challenging problems.
•    Display a bias for action in situations of uncertainty, with pro-active attention to issues and problems.
•    Work well both within a multi-disciplined team, and independently with minimal oversight, and thoroughly carries assignments to completion.

Desired Skills:
•    Knowledge of fiber optics and materials.
•    Ability to translate engineering solutions to requirements, then further to process and/or equipment designs which deliver all required and promised performance criteria.
•    Effectively use relevant measured and/or modeled data to drive decisions and actions.
•    Determine and recommend best solution from a series of alternatives within given guidelines.
•    Previous experience with combustion chemistry or vapor deposition.
•    Communicate effectively in various settings to provide and present necessary information to Project, Department, and Site leaders.
•    Experience with data processing software (e.g. Jump, Python, PowerBI) and Microsoft Office suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). Modeling simulation software experience optional (e.g. Aspen, Matlab, Fluent).
•    Ability to work hands-on with the equipment using typical hand tools, instruments, and measurement devices.
•    Must be flexible with the ability to manage multiple work streams in a team environment adjusting to changing priorities with a strong focus on job site safety and proactive safety approach.

Education and Experience:
•    Minimum BS or MS in any of Chemical, Material or Ceramics (or similar) Engineering
•    1-3 years of engineering experience.

Soft Skills:
•    Ability to work interactively on cross functional teams with ties to Research and Early Stage Development and Manufacturing.
•    Able to set long term needs/goals and determine short term objectives to achieve same
•    Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written)
•    Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.