Job Summary

The Manufacturing Engineer drives thermal process development for new and existing product, and supports engineering initiatives to improve product quality, process efficiency, and department productivity.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Proactively support a culture of safety and quality as top organizational priorities
Lead development of ceramic thermal processes, both in new and existing materials/processes, utilizing DOE, profile development, and lab analysis
Drive process improvements affecting yields, capacity, cycle times, and cost
Develop standardization in kiln department, which may include job instructions, production control boards, noncompliance procedures, etc.
Contribute to the identification, justification, and implementation of capital equipment and engineering projects to support manufacturing objectives
Optimize machine and material process parameters based on LEAN principles, DOE, statistical analysis, and materials science
Work closely with production personnel in process tracking, optimization, and troubleshooting
Provide technical support to resolve manufacturing disruptions, then develop and implement permanent, sustainable countermeasures to prevent reoccurrence
Develop and deliver training materials in areas identified that require increased organizational awareness and/or functional knowledge
Manage the selection, performance monitoring, and ordering of refractory materials
Advise, train and support maintenance teams on best known methods, stocking levels, and components required for quick repairs and preventative maintenance
Interface with vendors and contracted support expertise to ensure kilns are maintained and meet thermal deliverables
Learn and stay current with applicable kiln hardware, including combustion and electric kilns, and their subcomponents
Identify and address areas where additional process controls and/or detection methods of hardware failures are necessary
Interface with commercial team to assist customers in production build programs
After hours on-call support as required

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Materials Science, Chemical, or Ceramic Engineering
5 years of electronics and/or combustion equipment experience
Process engineering and design
Experience operating production and laboratory equipment such as furnaces, ovens, programmable controllers, materials characterization equipment, etc.
Strong organizational, analytical, and troubleshooting skills
Clear and effective written and verbal communication skills
Excellent time management skills
Ability to work independently and in small groups

DESIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Thermal processing/sintering; firing cycle design
Experience with PID/PLC controllers
Working knowledge of AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, or equivalent software
Combustion kiln experience

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is normally performed on site at STC’s office in St. Albans, Vermont. Office work is performed in a climate-controlled office environment, but substantial time on the shop floor is required, which can be noisy and dusty, as well as hot during the summer. Proper safety equipment is provided by STC where necessary.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Work may involve standing and walking for moderate to lengthy periods of time, with some duties performed from a seated position. There is potential for eyestrain from reading detailed materials and computer screen. Deadlines, workloads during peak periods, and changing priorities may cause increased stress levels. Work may include bending and squatting, as well as occasional lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 50 lbs, or pushing/pulling carts loaded with up to 500 lbs.

Superior Technical Ceramics Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and offers employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, creed, color, religious belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, place of birth, physical or mental disability, or veteran status.

STC Material Solutions jobs

Manufacturing Engineer - Thermal Processing, Kiln, St. Albans, VT