Tank Engineer

Overview

Vitro Architectural Glass manufactures a broad range of industry-leading, energy-efficient products such as Solarban®, Sungate® and Starphire Ultra-Clear® glasses. Throughout our storied history, collaboration and innovation have been central to our advancements. Today, the key to our success continues to lie in the strength of our partnerships. With a foundation formed on trust, teamwork and shared excitement, the possibilities for impactful innovations in glass are truly endless. With manufacturing facilities throughout the U.S. and Mexico, Vitro Architectural Glass is committed to sustainable manufacturing processes and products. Vitro also operates one of the world’s largest glass research and development facilities in Pittsburgh, PA and has four residential glass fabrication plants in Canada.

Responsibilities

• The Tank Department consists of two 650 tons per day capacity tanks operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Mixed ingredients are fed from the batch plant into the two tanks and melted in temperature that exceed 2900ºF.  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 working temperature.  After cooling the glass is delivered to the Wareroom for inspection, cutting, packing and shipping.
• The incumbent has the prime responsibility for providing the daily technical support to maximize quality, speeds and yields.  This position must ensure the continued innovation and development of operational machinery to maximize production operations.
• The incumbent duties include daily inspection of tank processes and equipment to assure continued operational efficiency and to keep the Float Process Manager advised of technical phases of the tank operation.
• Additionally, 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, and other production engineers during which they discuss production activities, quality, process, operating procedures, policy, complaints, and personnel problems
• 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.  Periodically a thorough inspection of the tank refractory structure to determine condition and coordinates the ordering of material, supplies and equipment used in the unit.  Major items or new items are directed to the Supervisor of Technical Services 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 coordinate, as needed, the efficient scheduling of manpower within the assigned area of the unit and administers 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.

Qualifications

• Must have a B.S. degree in Ceramic, Chemical or Industrial Engineering
• Minimum of five years’ experience in manufactoring, production and/or process engineering. 
• General knowledge of float glass batch, melting and forming processes also is necessary.
• Must 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.