Glass Process R&D Engineer

Vitro Architectural Glass manufactures a broad range of industry-leading, energy-efficient products such as Solarban®, Sungate® and Starphire Ultra-Clear® glasses.  Throughout our storied history, collaboration and innovation have been central to our advancements. Today, the key to our success continues to lie in the strength of our partnerships. With a foundation formed on trust, teamwork and shared excitement, the possibilities for impactful innovations in glass are truly endless.

With manufacturing facilities throughout the U.S. and Mexico, Vitro Architectural Glass is committed to sustainable manufacturing processes and products.  Vitro also operates one of the world’s largest glass research and development facilities in Pittsburgh, PA and has four residential glass fabrication plants in Canada.

Website:  www.vitroglazings.com

The engineer’s general function is to execute experiments to develop coating deposition processes and the operating parameters with different precursors to achieve the desired product attributes.  This individual will also support the design, fabrication, maintenance, and improvement of laboratory and plant-level equipment (including equipment for sample preparation, test, and measurement), and develop new experimental methods, in support of R&D and non-R&D customers.  The engineer also own process and product improvement projects that may have visibility beyond R&D (for example P&L improvement corporate-level projects). 

• Under supervision from a scientist or higher-level colleague, the individual will be responsible for designing new products and processes involving technology that is largely new to Vitro or elsewhere in industry.
• The incumbent will direct the experimental work of technicians / equipment operators through a design of experiments methodology and analysis of the experimental results in order to develop an understanding of the process and product attributes.
• The incumbent will support the process design and development of the production system for improving the P&L position of existing products and extension of the system for the production of new products.
• The incumbent is expected to offer technical information or opinion toward solutions of problems that may arise in the execution of the experiments in the laboratory and in manufacturing necessary to arrive at the results required of the project.
• Coordinate closely with the building and facilities services group to improve and maintain laboratory equipment.
• The individual will conduct design analysis on components or assemblies to assist in the development process by ensuring designs are cost efficient, manufacturable, and reliable.
• Define process improvements that yield results in safety, quality, cost, and control.
• Responsible for working independently with known technologies; will further develop new technologies under supervision.
• Initiate and maintain relationships with vendors and purchase equipment and supplies to ensure efficiency and continuity of laboratory operation.
• Assist higher level professionals in performing assigned phases of work, ranging from the use of defined methods to exercise of some degree of technical judgement.

• B.S. in technical field plus 2 years relevant experience in process design and/or glass materials and properties.
• M.S. entry level with directly applicable degree, otherwise M.S. will also require relevant experience (1 year or more).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to plan, organize and share information in interactions with management, peers, associates, and vendors.
• Ability to troubleshoot, analyze and resolve problems.
• Must be able to work autonomously as well as in a team setting.
• Experience in glass production processes and equipment – specifically glass melting, float bath, lehr, and effluent abatement unit operations.
• Computer knowledge required for process operations and data analysis.
• Preferred:  Coding skills in at least two languages / environments such as Python, ASPEN Plus, MATLAB, C, C++, etc.
• Fundamental understanding of statistics and data analysis to develop causal relationships between process parameters and outcomes.

Preferred: Hands on experience in design and operation of PVD, CVD, and/or PECVD systems and processes.

Desired: Technical knowledge and experience in Wonderware InTouch, Allen Bradley PLC, and/or other types of control systems. Experience with SQL, OSISoft-PI, or Azure Platforms.