Southwall is recognized worldwide as the leading innovator in the development and manufacture of high performance, energy-saving films and glass products. Southwall's rich 30 year history of product and market innovation can be directly attributed to our creative and resourceful workforce. We are interested in ambitious, intelligent, customer-centric people who would enjoy being a part of a company team where their contribution will be recognized and appreciated.

All positions are based in Palo Alto unless otherwise noted. Please browse our job listings and forward your resume to careers@southwall.com, fax to (650) 798-1404, or mail to:

Human Resources
Southwall Technologies
3788 Fabian Way
Palo Alto, CA 94303

For job opportunities at our manufacturing facility in Großröhrsdorf, Germany, near the city of Dresden, please visit Southwall Europe GmbH.

Come work with us!!

Note: Due to the large number of inquiries we receive each day, may we kindly request no phone calls or other inquiries from agencies or search firms with regard to any positions posted on our web site at this time.

Job Title: Equipment & Facilities Technician

The Equipment & Facilities Technician is responsible for installing and maintaining R&D/Pilot line equipment, including IGU assembly, autoclave and vacuum coating equipment. In addition, the Technician will have the opportunity to support the R&D team, taking part in process development and carrying out experiments.

This position is the primary focal person for the R&D/Product Application team and is the first point of contact for all facilities related support issues for the entire organization, including:

• Equipment installation, environmental, safety & building maintenance.

• Repair and maintain R&D equipment.

• Provide general support to R&D and applications engineering in producing samples and running experiments.

• Interface with outside contractors and equipment vendors to implement facility project plans: Coordinate the work of electricians, plumbers, etc and supply equipment vendors with power/water/air requirements, e.g.

Experience/Skills

• 2 – 4 years experience with equipment and building maintenance & troubleshooting

• General facilities maintenance background - HVAC, PCW, Electrical, CDA.

• Hands on mechanical assembly experience

• Environmental Health & Safety knowledge and practical implementation.

• Working with contractors from project scope definition to installation and implementation.

• General knowledge of permitting process for an R&D facility to coordinate with consultants (local permitting specialists) and local authorities.

• Fork Lift a plus

• Process development knowledge a plus

Education/Training:

• AE or AA, Engineering or 2 – 4 years of technical training in a college, vocational institute, military, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.

Job Title: Mechanical Design Engineer (based in Chicago)

The Mechanical Design Engineer will take the lead role in implementing new equipment, tooling and processes for automated Insulated Glass Unit (IGU) assembly lines. Responsible for the following:

• Scale up process concepts from prototype to volume manufacturing

• Oversee the installation, modification, upgrade and maintenance of prototype and manufacturing equipment.

• Keep current on equipment manufacturers’ technical notices, upgrade and safety issues.

• In all work activities, exhibit knowledge and understanding of industrial standard codes as applicable to mechanical design, e.g. safety, codes, etc.

• Resolve issues pertaining to equipment performance and reliability.

• Provide technical support in equipment area to Operations, Maintenance and Engineering organizations.

• Define and writes preventative maintenance procedures.

• Direct support personnel in the preparation of detailed design, fabrication and testing.

Experience/Skills

• Strong CAD background SolidWorks, Pro-E or AutoCAD

• Robot programming, maintenance & tooling design

• Materials handling, industrial heating, automation/robotics

• 5+ years equipment design preferably in a high-volume architectural glazing manufacturing environment

• Lean manufacturing

• Experience with shepherding new technologies from concept to full-scale production

• Able to translate manufacturing objectives (productivity, reliability, safety) into equipment design.

• Based in Chicago. Travel between plants will be required for the first year. Relocation assistance is limited.

Education/Training:

BS in Mechanical Engineering

Job Title: Process & Manufacturing Engineer (based in Chicago)

In this highly visible position, the Process & Manufacturing Engineer will be responsible for day-to-day line support and continuous improvement of Insulated Glass Unit (IGU) assembly lines. Responsible for the following:

• Troubleshoots and resolves day-to-day process and equipment issues.

• Analyzes process data to determine actions for improvements.

• Qualifies new equipment for manufacturing processes.

• Coordinates facilitization and process integration of development and production equipment installations.

• Ensures that manufacturability objectives are met by vendors, consultants and equipment engineering throughout the stage gate development process.

• Provides technical support to Operations, Maintenance and Engineering organizations.

• Documents process instructions and defines process control schemes

• Reviews manufacturability of design concepts during the design phase.

• Based in Chicago. Travel between plants will be required for the first year. Relocation assistance is limited.

Experience/Skills

• 5 years process engineering and line support

• In-depth familiarity with quality systems of high-volume custom product manufacturing processes, preferably in the glass / IGU industry

• Robot and Manufacturing Equipment Support and Maintenance

• Flexible packaging and sheeting experience a plus

• Proven track record with implementing automation processes in manual assembly operations

• Statistical process control (SPC) & Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA), Lean manufacturing

Education/Training:

BS in Mechanical, Chemical, Material Science or Manufacturing Engineering or equivalent combination of education and experience.