Maintenance & Equipment Engineer for Crystal Growing

Occupation: Equipment Install/Maintain/Repair Are you an engineer who likes to work both independently and within a team? Do you like to have fun experimenting and analyzing while finding solutions? Do you have strong communications skills? Are you ready to take responsibility for specific actions within a high volume, cost driven department? If so, we are looking for you!   Overview: The SolarWorld Group of companies is a world leader in high quality solar power products and technology. SolarWorld is involved in every step of the solar value chain from raw silicon to turn-key solar power systems and is active in growing solar markets around the world. The group is exclusively dedicated to the core business of solar photovoltaic products and technology, operating production facilities in Germany and the USA. These factories supply sales offices in Germany, Spain, USA, South Africa and Singapore. SolarWorld is currently tooling up the USA's largest solar wafer and cell production facility in Oregon to help serve the growing demand in the Americas. SolarWorld supplies solar silicon wafers to the international solar cell industry as well as modules, kits and turnkey PV systems to distributors and retailers world-wide. The SolarWorld Group also sells off-grid solar power solutions that make an important contribution to the sustainable economic growth of developing countries. Under the name Solar2World the group has pooled this ethical commitment to a sustainable future through solar energy.   The SolarWorld Group employs more than 2,000 people worldwide. The company's stock (SWV.de) trades on the Frankfurt and Xetra exchanges and is included in the technology index TecDAX, in the ÖkoDAX, in the Dow Jones STOXX 600, in the international MSCI index as well as in the sustainability indices DAXglobal Alternative Energy and NAI.   The Equipment Engineer is responsible for the specification, installation and ongoing maintenance of equipment, machinery, and other facilities vital to the operation of the Crystal Growing production area in Hillsboro. The position ensures adequate tools process capabilities are continuously developed and maintained for a highly efficient and functional system supporting a 24/7 manufacturing operation. You will work as a team member to continuously improve production processes, equipment reliability and tool performance. Specific deliverables associated with this opportunity include: • Identify and address safety issues. • Create and maintain manufacturing equipment specifications and specifications for capital expenditures. • Lead activities of Maintenance Technicians in a 24 hr/7 day operation. Prioritize work and ensure timely completion. • Track and report equipment and facility related metrics. • Develop and drive activities and projects for existing equipment improvement and optimization. • Participate in and drive continuous improvement projects that lower the production cost, improve quality and increase productivity for the Crystal Growing area. This involves working with project teams that may include engineering, production, maintenance and vendors. • Develop improved training processes for Equipment and Maintenance technicians. • Optimize existing Preventative Maintenance procedures. • Fulfill requirements for documentation such as Work Instructions, tool qualification plans, equipment drawings, RFC's, FMEA's and DOE's. • Actively participate in the control, use and re-use of maintenance parts. • Design/draft components for fabrication by a machine shop. • Communicate with production supervisors and personnel to gather data and coordinate manufacturing process improvement activities. • Participate in special task teams. • Other duties as assigned.   This position is ideal for a candidate who is enthusiastic about being a "green collar" worker in the solar photovoltaic (PV) industry. Candidates for this position should demonstrate a desire for personal development, communicate easily, enjoy working in a team environment, be highly flexible and skilled at taking a leadership role. The successful candidate will possess the following combination of education and experience: • Bachelors degree in technical science, such as Mechanical, Chemical or Electrical Engineering. Alternately, significant experience in similar roles will be considered. • Additional preference given to candidates with Czochralski silicon crystal growth experience. • Overall experience level of 5-10 years, with a minimum of 4 years experience in PV or a semiconductor environment focusing on equipment and facilities, advanced operation, repair or minor and major maintenance. • Must have prior experience working in a team environment to accomplish objectives. • Must have demonstrated leadership abilities. • This position also requires the ability to complete objectives and projects independently. • Must have an in-depth knowledge of problem solving methodologies. • Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) are required as this position will interact with a variety of disciplines to accomplish tasks. Additional preference for prior experience working in a multi-cultural, international work environment. • Advanced computer skills are required, including a high degree of familiarity with Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel and Power Point. • Must have familiarity with problem solving methods (e.g., 5S, 7-Step) and basic design of experiments (DOE). • Demonstrated knowledge of equipment and manufacturing safety procedures is required (e.g., lock-out / tag-out, electrical / high-voltage, chemical, reading MSDS, incident response procedures). • Prior experience as a peer trainer for manufacturing operation certifications is highly preferred. • Must possess a valid driver's license and have the ability to obtain a passport for international travel, where training may be held at other SolarWorld locations.     Benefits SolarWorld offers a competitive benefits package, designed for the "green collar" worker including a minimum of 4 weeks annual vacation, 401k, medical, dental, life, employee referral bonus, and more! SolarWorld is an Equal Opportunity Employer - M/F/D/V If interested, please apply online at http://track.jobviper.com/ViewJob.asp?id=560036-3-923