Cree, Inc. is a market-leading innovator and manufacturer of semiconductors that enhance the value of LED solid-state lighting, power and communications products by significantly increasing their energy performance.  In fiscal year 2009, we achieved record revenue of $567 million and have a goal to become a $1 billion company within the next few years. 

Key to Cree’s market advantage is unrivaled materials expertise in silicon carbide (SiC) with gallium nitride (GaN) to deliver chips and packaged devices that can handle more power in a smaller space while producing less heat than other available technologies, materials and products.  Cree’s product families include blue and green LED chips, lighting LEDs, LEDs for backlighting, power-switching devices and radio-frequency/wireless devices. 

We are headquartered in Raleigh/Durham, NC; an area consistently ranked in the Top 10 Places to Live by Money Magazine and is also home to the Research Triangle Park.  The RTP area was recently voted the #1 high-tech region in the country by the Silicon Valley Leadership Group and consists of approximately 112 research related organizations and companies that employ over 40,000 people.  Cree’s facility in Durham has approximately 1400 full-time employees devoted to R&D, manufacturing, sales & marketing and other professional support roles. 

Cree boasts a casual work environment, where jeans and shorts are a typical sight every day, not just on Friday.  We also have an onsite fitness facility; complete with indoor track, basketball court, 3 racquet ball courts, aerobics room, free weights, machine weights and cardio machines.  This facility is 100% free to our employees and their spouses, and is open Monday through Friday.  Our benefits include a quarterly bonus program, stock options, 401k, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, tuition reimbursement, and medical/vision/dental coverage. 

We currently have an opening for a Process Sustaining Engineer within our Materials group.  This position will be stationed at our headquarters in Raleigh/Durham, NC.

Summary:
This position will be a part of an engineering team responsible for the yield, quality, and cost of the a high volume manufacturing line to produce high quality SiC crystals and semiconductor wafers made there-from.   Asuccessful candidate will have a background in the following areas:

1. Semiconductor material growth, such as high temperature growth, vacuum system growth technology and/or related unit operations.
2. Graphite quality, characterization, and high temperature applications.
3. CAD experience / Machining of parts / quality control / SPC.

This position will require successful execution of process control and improvement activities in a face-paced, high volume manufacturing line with a demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally across business units and depts.

Shift: 1^st shift (but must be open to working other shifts)

Responsibilities:

• SPC of manufacturing processes and all aspects of yield, cost and quality
• Process improvement through systematic experimentation and hands-on approach to solving problems
• Data driven process decision making based on timely and thorough data analysis
• Yield improvement through identification and elimination of yield limiters
• Ownership of projects related to yield, cost or throughput improvement involving work with manufacturing, R&D and equipment teams
• Mentoring, coaching, and training of process technicians
• Establish procedures and qualification plan for bringing new processes on line and refining existing ones 

Minimum Requirements:

• BS degree in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related engineering discipline.
• 1-3 years experience in a high volume manufacturing environment
• Candidate must be a US Citizen or Green Card holder
• Demonstrated DMAIC approach to identifying and solving problems
• High energy, self-motivated attitude with strong communication skills, and an ability to interface effectively with different backgrounds at different levels of the organization
• Demonstrated strong attention to detail while effectively managing time and multiple priorities in a fast paced manufacturing environment with changing priorities and schedules
• Experience with databases and data analysis tools (eg: SQL, Access, JMP, Excel, etc.)
• Demonstrated success in complete process ownership of a 24x7 manufacturing environment
• Self-starter with strong personal work ethic; must have a "whatever it takes" attitude.
• Lean or TPM manufacturing experience
• Proven track record of sustaining, leading and driving continuous improvement in a high-volume semiconductor manufacturing environment