Sr Sapphire Crystal Growth Process Engineer at II-VI Aerospace & Defense

Job Description

We are seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented engineer to operate sapphire crystal growth equipment and drive advancements in process and product development. This dynamic role combines hands-on operation with process design, troubleshooting, and performance optimization to meet internal and external customer needs.

The engineer will be responsible for operating sapphire crystal growth equipment, utilizing edge-defined film-fed growth (EFG) and heat-exchanger methods, along with other related processes.

Key responsibilities include supporting the design of production equipment and processes, leading improvement initiatives, updating and creating process documentation, and troubleshooting various challenges. The role also focuses on cost reduction, cycle-time optimization, process stability, and metrics tracking. Furthermore, the engineer will take the lead in developing new processes and products to meet evolving customer requirements.

Primary Duties & 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 to scientific meetings.
  
  

Education & Experience

• Bachelors 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.
• Experience with additional crystal growth methods or materials (e.g., Ge, Silicon, CaF2, KNS) is highly desirable.
  
  

Skills

• 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. Ability to rapidly identify operational, technical problems and emergencies, and to develop quick responses.
• 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.
  
  

Working Conditions

• Job operates in production environment on 1st shift, schedule is Mon-Fri. May occasionally work on 2nd or 3rd shift to meet manufacturing demands is required. May occasionally require weekend support.
• Works in areas with fumes, airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals.
• Required to function in narrow aisles or passageways.
• Noise level – Usually loud.
  
  

Physical Requirements

• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other employees accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discriminations in sound.
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Working with Hand / Fingers: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Visual acuity requirements including color, depth perception, and field vision. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
• Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
  
  

Safety Requirements

• All employees are required to attend scheduled training, follow the site EHS procedures and Corporate EHS standards. This includes the use of proper protective equipment (PPE) as required by the job responsibilities.
• Managers will ensure that all safety and environmental procedures are followed consistently. They will ensure that risk assessments are performed, proper training, work instructions, required PPE is available, and will monitor compliance.
• Wears safety gear for extended period of time, including safety glasses, respirator, and safety shoes.
  
  

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 A&D:

Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust

Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome

Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone

Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent A&D is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

This role involves access to technology, materials, software, or hardware subject to U.S. export control laws. Therefore, to be considered, candidates must be classified as a “U.S. Person” under applicable regulations or be eligible for authorization under a U.S. government export license.

About Us

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.

About The Team

II-VI Aerospace & Defense is a high technology company, offering careers in offices and campuses in California, Colorado, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. We work with emerging technology in areas of atmospheric sensing and imaging, adaptive optics, optical communications, coherent beam combining, and numerical performance analysis of atmospheric optics systems. II-VI A&D has recently been awarded several new government contracts and we are offering opportunities to leverage your technical experience and interpersonal skills for something more than a simple paycheck. If this sounds like the type of environment you are seeking at this point in your career, and if your background meets these qualifications, please apply. We will offer a competitive salary and benefits. Since II-VI A&D is a rapidly expanding organization, it means that significant opportunities exists for career advancement and professional development.

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