Ingot Manufacturing Operator

Coherent•Dallas, TX

About The Position

The Ingot Manufacturing Operator performs material-production tasks independently using complex equipment and tools, and prepares and tests production and research samples for routine analysis. The primary focus is manufacturing extruded ingot materials, with supporting work across other ingot manufacturing processes. The employee follows written procedures and established instructions and supports production, product testing, shipment preparation, documentation, housekeeping, and continuous improvement activities. The role includes setting up and operating equipment for ingot production; processing, heat treating, cutting, cleaning, measuring, testing, grading, and preparing ingots and samples; and supporting Bridgman ingot production and other processes after training. The operator also assists with research and development projects, trains production personnel, coordinates equipment profile verification with Maintenance, supports inventory activities, and performs simple equipment maintenance and housekeeping. Work must follow applicable safety, quality, environmental, ISO, and ITAR requirements.

Requirements

High school degree or equivalent, with industrial experience dealing with metal-forming methods.
At least 2 years of experience operating complex machinery and processes to produce parts with minimal supervision.
At least 2 years of applicable manufacturing experience related to metal forming and material testing.
Ability to handle a welding-flame torch and load or unload hot tubes using PPE.
Ability to use crushers and grinders to make thermoelectric powders and operate complex hot-forming and casting machinery.
Understanding of technical drawings and basic engineering principles.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a timely manner.
Hands-on, direct approach to production problems and demands.
Ability to anticipate and manage multiple priorities, including internal and external priorities, under time constraints.
Attention to detail in processes and the tools used in them.
Ability to work effectively in a cross-organizational, cross-cultural, global team environment.
Ability to work well with others and train operators.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Proficiency with computers, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, email, and internet access.
Ability to lift 10 kg of metal in sealed containers.
Ability to wear required area PPE, including safety glasses, finger cots, and gloves.
Ability to remain stationary, often standing or sitting, for prolonged periods.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively to exchange information.
Ability to perform repeated motions involving the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
Compliance with applicable EHS, quality, environmental, and ITAR requirements.

Responsibilities

Set up and operate ingot production processes to manufacture and deliver extruded ingot materials to internal and external customers.
Load and unload ingots from furnaces for alloying and quenching of compounded raw materials in sealed containers.
Operate heat-treatment furnaces using the correct programs from equipment controllers for sintering and post-extrusion processing.
Operate sand-blasting equipment and replace abrasive media at regular intervals.
Clean growth chambers and extrusion dies, using power tools as required, and prepare equipment for production.
Operate extrusion equipment, align chambers and rams, and use the human-machine-interface controller.
Use a sliding-table wet cutoff saw to section extruded materials for post-extrusion processing.
Monitor consumables and supplies, and inform the supervisor when replenishment is needed.
Clean up and store setups promptly after kits are completed; ensure tools are calibrated and sent for repair or calibration on time.
Remove ingots or billets from tubes, cut them to specified lengths, and mark and label them according to specifications and documentation.
Prepare ingots and samples for testing; measure resistance properties and grade materials against established specifications.
Prepare thermoelectric material samples through specified processing steps, including plating, dicing, and dismounting, and grade them against documented specifications.
Cross-train for preparation of Bridgman ingot compounds and support alloying, quartz sealing with a hydrogen-oxygen torch, heat treatment, and profiling when needed.
Prepare and analyze ingot test samples for material performance and evaluation.
Prepare and pack ingots for internal and external customer shipment according to established procedures.
Support product realization and research and development projects by performing required production-process tasks.
Train other production personnel in primary responsibilities and, when trained, support other processes as backup personnel.
Coordinate with Maintenance on periodic oven profile verification and document results in formats established by the Process Engineer.
Assist production supervision with monthly material counts and inventory reporting; help stock raw materials from the warehouse as coordinated by the line supervisor.
Package and label materials for transfer to the warehouse and external customer shipment.
Perform simple equipment maintenance, machining, cutting, grinding, abrading, and housekeeping tasks as needed.
Enter data accurately on travelers and in process programs and Kronos; complete process documentation accurately and on time.
Review and audit departmental processes for continuous improvement, cycle-time, and cost-reduction opportunities.
Work independently or as part of a team on functional testing and characterization of ingots and materials, including electrical-property checks and final release grading.
Support vacuum sealing of tubes, ingot profiling preparation, glass-tube breaking and ingot removal, and other assigned production activities or special projects.
Help prepare shipment documentation and correctly identify lot numbers for internal and external customers.
Follow site EHS procedures and Coherent EHS standards, wear appropriate PPE, and maintain a safe, clean, organized, and environmentally compliant work area.
Adhere to company values and support department and company objectives.