R&D Prototype Engineer

Collaborates and works with Engineers and Technicians in the R&D group to develop, fabricate and ship prototypes from advanced ceramic and metal matrix composite materials. Continuously improves existing methods in the assigned area of responsibility potentially including materials processing (mixing, furnacing, casting, etc.), ceramic preform green machining, finish machining (grinding, EDM, CNC), lapping, laser marking, assembly and metrology. Provides design for manufacturability input for new products and initiates feedback for running product improvements.

Interfaces with vendors (tooling, fixtures, test labs, toll machining, , etc.) and customers. Executes prototype manufacturing plan including equipment programming tasks. Transfers new processes and methods to operations, including writing standard work, training manufacturing personnel, specifying equipment and monitoring results. Participates in Lean, Six-sigma, Kaizen, FMEA, 6S, and yield enhancement activities

• Engineering prototyping with advanced composite materials, including design input, equipment programming, equipment operation, assembly and inspection
• Develop and improve production methods for ceramic-based composite materials
• Detailed process and product tracking
• Perform equipment programming in the assigned area of responsibility (MasterCAM, PC-DIMS, Calyspo, MX, others)
• Generate PC-based outputs on standard platforms (Agile, Oracle, Cumulus, Creo, Solidworks, others)
• Operate and program thermal processing equipment and controls (HMI, PLC, PC-based, Watlow, Allen Bradley, others)
• Continuous improvement via participation in Lean/Kaizen, ISO, 8D and other related activities
• Interface with outside entities (customers, tooling suppliers, equipment vendors, toll manufacturers and test labs)
• Transfer successful products to Manufacturing, including writing documentation and conducting training

• BS in Engineering or Science (new grad)
• AAS in Engineering or Science with relevant experience in materials processing, manufacturing, machining, CNC programming or prototyping

• Knowledge of advanced materials and processing (ceramics, metal matrix composites, other)
• Knowledge of machining methods, including milling, turning, diamond grinding, EDM, laser and other
• Experience with design software, e.g., CAD (ProE/Creo, Solid Works, other), CAM (Master Cam, Surf Cam, Gibbs Cam, other), and CMM (PC-DIMS, Calyspo)
• Aptitude for external interfacing with both vendors and customers

• Position requires on-site activities for prototype fabrication (this is not a work from home position).
• Work schedule is 5 days, 40 hrs per week, first shift.

Hands-on, lab-based job environment:

• Required to frequently lift/push/pull a minimum of 35 lbs
• Must be able to sit, bend, squat and walk about facility
• Depending on project assignment, may be required to walk/stand for entire 8 hour day

All employees are required to attend scheduled training, follow the site EHS procedures and Corporate EHS standards. This includes the use of proper protective equipment (PPE) as required by the job responsibilities.

Managers will ensure that all safety and environmental procedures are followed consistently. They will ensure that risk assessments are performed, proper training, work instructions, required PPE is available, and will monitor compliance.

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles…