Senior Applications Engineer, CVD

Element Six, part of De Beers Group, is a global leader in the design, development and production of synthetic diamond and tungsten carbide supermaterials.

With research and development facilities and manufacturing sites in the UK, Ireland, Germany, South Africa and the US, we have been pushing the boundaries of synthetic diamond innovation for more than 60 years. We utilise the extreme properties of synthetic diamond to open up new possibilities in exciting areas such as quantum optics, acoustics and thermal conductivity.  

Our success comes from building strong, collaborative relationships, both internally in our extraordinary teams, and externally with our customers. We strive to deliver extreme performance and we seek talented, ambitious people who will thrive in an environment that fosters individuality, inclusivity, innovation and creativity.

We offer an exciting and varied career, with opportunities to work in various locations and teams, and across different functions and projects.

If you like the idea of an exciting variety of work in a diverse global team, then we want you to get in touch.

The successful candidate will be an outstanding, hands-on scientist or engineer with an in-depth technical knowledge and a strong understanding of optical and thermal applications. They will be an integral part of a team tasked with the development of new opportunities and will have a strong focus on end-user requirements and system integration. Ideally based on the US west coast, the successful candidate will be expected to work from an Element Six site a minimum of 3 days a week, when not visiting potential customers. The successful candidate will be expected to travel both within the US and internationally, supporting the growth of the Technologies Business.

The role involves supporting the sales and marketing team to provide innovative solutions to customers in applications requiring extreme optical performance and thermal management.  It will include generating costing, BOM and routing worksheets for such products and will often interface directly with customers’ engineering and production teams, to provide diamond-based solutions.  Examples may include addressing novel and extreme applications such: as EUV photolithography, laser processing, optical spectroscopy, high-power density thermal management and emerging applications.

The role will include management of technical projects from conception to completion, working with Element Six’s operations and development teams to design and qualify original ideas, prototype and transfer to manufacturing. A passion for engineering, technology and a strong drive to develop products that are commercially viable, will make you a perfect candidate for this position.

While a documented theoretical and technical skill set is important, equal emphasis will be put on personal abilities team environments, communication and an ability to drive projects.

Duties and tasks

• Develop an in-depth technical understanding of synthetic diamond
• Become an in-house expert on the optical and laser-based applications of CVD diamond and diamond enabled products, to develop diamond-based solutions for customer applications
• Collaborate with customers and technical engineers to design and develop leading edge prototypes and products, and acquire resulting product contracts
• Provide technical support and advice to customers including internal sales and marketing teams
• Track trends/developments/opportunities in the evolution of end-user requirements and emerging manufacturing processes, providing input and direction to E6 innovation programmes
• Collaborate with the product development, operations and sales teams to ensure products meet customer needs
• Manage documentation of work, including marketing materials and product databases
• Use CAD and to develop engineering drawings, BOM and routing spreadsheets to support the sales staff and establish guidelines for operations and prototyping teams

Education and Experience

• Scientific or engineering background: minimum bachelor’s degree or a related discipline and a strong background in Optics or Thermal management would be beneficial
• Proven track record of developing products and applications in a related field and ideally experience with new projects, start-ups or process transfers
• Experience in managing both internal and external resources: design, analysis, fabrication etc.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a similar scientific or engineering role is preferred
• CAD and FEA or CFD modelling experience is desirable
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to write clear and concise reports and publish technical articles
• Successful track record of delivering on commitments

Skills & Abilities

• Customer Centric.  Highly motivated to bring clarity and responsiveness to customers and partners (internal and external).  Understands the customers underlying problems and needs.
• Decision Making.  Makes clear, timely decision and gives explicit and clear guidance.  Decisions are focused on increasing or improving the company's options and are owned.
• Manages Complexity.  Does not over engineer solutions and stays focused on the problem being solved.  Considers the implications of local decisions across the whole organisation and its external stakeholders.
• Accountability.  Holds self and others to account.  Understands that no one can see the complete picture.
• Self-motivated.  Able to work in a fast-paced environment and comfortable in leading and adapting to change.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally
• Excellent computer literacy for market analysis and external presentations 

Physical Requirements

• Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards. Work is primarily sedentary with frequent sitting. Must have the ability to walk short distances.