Melting Engineer

SCHOTT; Duryea (Luzerne County); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

SCHOTT Advanced Optics in Duryea, PA, is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to develop and improve glass production processes. You will lead process development from composition through forming, annealing, and packaging, while applying Lean and Six Sigma to reduce variances and improve yields.

The role requires a degree in chemical engineering or equivalent experience, with 3+ years in manufacturing in fast-paced settings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree or 3+ years engineering experience.
• 3+ years manufacturing experience in fast-paced environments.
• Proficiency in Six Sigma and Lean methodologies (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, evaluate, and improve chemical and mechanical processes for glass manufacturing.
• Formulate glass compositions and define melting, forming, annealing, and processing parameters; scale from development to production.
• Apply Lean, 6S, PDCA, DMAIC, and deviation-management to optimize processes.
• Analyze workforce utilization, space, workflow, and equipment layout to enhance efficiency.
• Monitor glass quality, adjust parameters, and implement yield-measurement systems.
• Develop standard work procedures, process diagrams, and production records; communicate results to shop-floor teams.
• Collaborate with engineering, production, quality, planning, and vendors to align tooling and schedules.
• Apply statistical methods to improve processes and cost management.
• Identify root causes and drive corrective actions in fast-changing environments.
• Provide technical service and equipment support to optimize production.

Skills

Manufacturing experience

Six Sigma

Lean methodologies

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor Degree in Chemical Engineering

Job description

COMPANY:

SCHOTT Advanced Optics (Duryea, PA) is a leading manufacturer of optical glasses, special materials, ultra-thin glass, high-precision optical components, wafers, optical filter glasses, and ZERODUR®. With a portfolio of over 120 glasses, SCHOTT Advanced Optics offers a broad range of cutting-edge components and materials for applications in optics, astronomy, opto-electronics, augmented reality, life sciences, and research.

ATTRACTIVE SKILLS/EXPERIENCES:

• Bachelor Degree in Chemical Engineering (or related field) or 3+ years of relevant engineering experience
• 3+ years of manufacturing experience in a relevant, fast-paced environments
• Proficiency in Six Sigma and Lean methodologies (highly preferred)
• Demonstrated communication skills (written / oral) including the ability to read/speak English
• Ability and willingness to work in fast-paced, matrix structured organization

SUMMARY / RESPONSIBILITIES:

This Manufacturing Engineer is expected (but not limited) to develop, implement, evaluate, and improve existing and new chemical and mechanical processes for manufacturing glass products of the Advanced Optics (AO) business unit.

• Glass process development — Formulates glass compositions and defines melting, forming, annealing, and processing parameters; scales processes from development to full manufacturing.
• Manufacturing method improvement — Evaluates, develops, and optimizes chemical and mechanical processes using Lean, 6S, PDCA, DMAIC, and structured deviation-management systems.
• Production planning & layout — Analyzes workforce utilization, space, workflow, and equipment layout to maximize efficiency and meet takt-time and capacity goals.
• Quality monitoring & yield improvement — Monitors glass quality, adjusts process parameters, implements yield-measurement systems, and drives continuous improvement through data analysis.
• Technical documentation & communication — Develops standard work procedures, process flow diagrams, and production records; communicates instructions and results clearly to shop-floor teams.
• Cross-functional collaboration — Works with engineering, production, quality, planning, design staff, and vendors to align tooling, product design, schedules, and equipment/material needs.
• Statistical analysis & cost management — Applies statistical methods to improve processes, estimates production times and staffing, prepares cost quotations, and implements cost-saving measures.
• Problem-solving & decision-making — Identifies root causes, resolves issues promptly, synthesizes complex information, and uses sound judgment in fast-changing environments.
• Technical services & equipment support — Provides secondary machinery support, integrates new equipment, and transforms expert knowledge into optimized production processes.
• Safety, flexibility & project leadership — Observes all safety and hazardous-waste procedures, adapts to changing production needs, and manages special projects as assigned.