Engineering Technician, Automated Optical Cell Inspection

Occupation: Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering Do you want to save the world? You can be a hero by joining one of the world's leading solar photovoltaic (PV) companies! At SolarWorld, you will have the opportunity to help develop one of the world's cleanest and most environmentally-responsible forms of sustainable energy production.   We are looking for everyday heroes who are highly-motivated to grow North America's largest Solar PV production capability under one company! If you are a proactive, entrepreneurial and enthusiastic about sustainable energy, we invite you to "Come Shine with Us!"   Position Reporting to the Equipment Engineering Manager, the Automated Optical Inspection Engineering Tech provides support to the introduction, maintenance and development of camera-based automated inspection system for on-line inspection of silicon wafers and solar cells. These inspection systems use 2D or line-scan camera with sophisticated illumination and check geometric and reflectance features to analyze wafer geometry, find edge defects, measure wafer surface reflectance intensity and uniformity, and solar cell front and back contact geometric pattern location and small defects. Under the direction of manager or designated engineer(s), he/she assume ownership of particular equipment, sub-systems and/or processes. Works with production and maintenance personnel. Manages specific projects and coordinates cross-functional activities with vendors, engineers, facilities, IT department.       Primary responsibilites for this position include: Develop expertise in tuning and maintaining inspection system hardware (camera, illumination) and software (image analysis, sorting criteria) through supplier and self-taught training. Daily monitoring of all production systems results. Response to problems (false pass, false fail) through comprehensive troubleshooting down to root causes. Execute calibration routines to achieve best repeatability and reproducibility across multiple inspection systems. Ultimate goal is stable systems with minimum interventions. In coordination with quality engineer, implement pass/fail criteria for all defect types by adjusting conditions, limits, decision tree, using the graphical software tools provided. Develops operating procedures, maintenance schedule and instructions within company systems, format and guidelines. Trains maintenance technicians on proper execution and verifies compliance. Extreme attention to details in documenting changes, gathering experimental data, reporting quality results, comparing wafer/cell defects of different nature. Maintains and searches equipment logs and production database, consolidates data for reporting line yield. Communicates with production supervisors and personnel to gather data, coordinate daily activities and training. Maintains own log of activities. Summarizes actions and future plans. Requirements This position is ideal for a trained, seasoned technician with > 3-5 years in position involving similar metrology or software tools and some exposure to high-volume production environment. The successful candidate will possess the following education and some of these fields of experience:   Minimum Associates Degree in a technical field. 2-4 years of experience in similar technical field and having demonstrated expertise, independence in optimizing metrology tools and methods. Experience in high-tech, high-volume field desirable, such as semiconductor, flat-panel, optical devices, PCB assembly, bio-medical devices, automotive components. Good skills in PC and Windows applications as well as networking. Very comfortable with technical software at the application-level, using graphical interface ( no code development). Some understanding of imaging techniques and terminology such as bright/dark field imaging, direct/diffuse illumination, grey-scale representation, resolution, scaling. Some understanding of image analysis tools or algorithms such as region of interest, line profile, histogram, blob analysis, binary threshold, dilation/erosion filters. Experience in practical use of statistics such as SPC, gauge R&R. Strong interest in metrology tools and their maintenance/calibration. Experience in working directly with equipment suppliers and/or software developers. Innovative, driven, self-directed mind. Some exposure to electro-mechanical controls. Fluent use of related technical terms. Hands-on experience in running, maintaining and modifying tools as well as machine shop and power tools. Some experience in designing simple mechanical fixtures . Strong math skills for dimensioning, analyzing data, reporting. Proven ability to work well with production personnel of all levels. Valid driver's license and passport for international travel required. 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!   The position will be in Hillsboro, Oregon. Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/V/H   If interested, please apply online at http://track.jobviper.com/ViewJob.asp?id=554556-3-663