Tank Engineer

Vitro, North America's largest manufacturer of architectural and automotive glass is currently seeking a Glass/Ceramic/Chemical Engineer for their Tank Department at its Meadville, PA location. The basic function of this position is to direct the batching, melting, and forming operations according to current management policies and established operating parameters and procedures, in order to meet plant goals regarding safety, quality, production, costs, productivity, housekeeping, and employee relations.

The Tank Department consists of two 600 tons per day capacity tanks operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Automotive black and green glasses are produced in many thicknesses on one tank. Clear for the solar market will be produced on the second tank. Mixed ingredients are fed from the batch plant into the two tanks and melted in temperatures that exceed 2900F.

The molten glass flows from these tanks into respective baths of molten tin where it floats on the tin surface, thereby creating a ribbon of glass with parallel surfaces and uniform thickness. The glass is then conveyed to the rolls in the annealing lehr where it is cooled to room temperature. After cooling, the glass is delivered to the Wareroom for inspection, cutting, packing and shipping.

This position's responsibilities fall into the category of coordinating and directing production activities of the batch plant, tanks, baths, and lehrs. Making decisions and assuming responsibility for meeting unit goals. On frequent tours of the department, the incumbent has direct contact with the Supervisors, Tank hourly employees, and other production engineers.

This position reviews and analyzes the various unit production and quality reports, and takes corrective action as necessary within the established operating parameters and procedures. The incumbent refers serious or unusual circumstances to the Manager, Float Process for directions and maintains close communications with the Wareroom, Quality Control, and other staff functions to assure efficient control of operations and to improve performance.

This position makes recommendations to the Manager, Float Process regarding new methods, new equipment, organization, and general improvement of the Department and glass quality. A thorough inspection of the tank refractory structure to determine condition is completed daily. As needed, coordinates the ordering of material, supplies and equipment used in the process. Major items or new items are directed to the Manager for approval.

The incumbent keeps abreast of technological improvements to the process through contact with Vitro Research and other Vitro Tank facilities, exercises engineering skills and basic knowledge of the process and related equipment to determine those areas of least efficient operation and those most penalizing to quality. As a result, they develop new methods or changes to equipment which leads to general improvement in the operation.

The incumbent helps administer a positive training and safety program to assure maximum performance. This position will create an atmosphere of confidence, mutual trust and respect with the tank employees.

The incumbent must have a B.S. degree in glass, ceramic or chemical engineering and a minimum of two years' experience in production or process engineering is preferred; equivalent experience will be considered in lieu of a degree. General knowledge of float glass batch, melting and forming processes is desired but not required. The incumbent must have demonstrated leadership, judgment, administrative ability, and be alert and flexible to group details and use in making decisions in the face of rapidly changing conditions.