Cree Inc. Work Values

Daily Duties at Cree Inc.:

Cree Inc. After moving our GaN Lab from CT to NC, I was in charge of interactions with the facilities group to get our lab up and running. Once again, I was in charge of safety concerns while installing robust and well tested power and gas delivery to our reactors. I designed, installed, tested and documented the safety interlock system for all aspects of our lab functions. I assisted in implementing a YAG laser system for what we called LILO (Laser Induced Lift Off). I researched and learned about YAG lasers and became the technician for the YAG laser equipment. I handled documentation, controlled adjustments to quantify power and the source and at the end path. I also installed the automated control system that allowed us to deliver a beam safely to each reactor in the proper order at the designated time. I designed many fixtures for our experiments that required pyrometer reading, temperature readings and optical readings. Some of these fixtures require a lot of research on my part because the data gathering environment was at 1100°. I researched and had manufactured various ceramic parts. I developed databases and presented gathered data on a weekly basis. I used JMP, ACCESS, EXCEL, WORD and LabVIEW programs. I bought and negotiated price for gallium to be delivered to us in different geometries and weights to facilitate easy installation and save money by reducing waste. Cree decided to sell the Bulk GaN technology and I was asked to join the Silicon Carbide Crystal Growth Group as an R&D Technician. I started out building and helping design various graphite crucible geometries. I became the go-to technician for a number of scientists. I gathered data and presented findings on a weekly basis. I designed experiments such as bubble testing crucibles by attaching Argon supply to a sealed unit and immersing in DI water. I took photographs and collected data to present. I saw that operators were performing a gluing operating by hand. I saw this to be highly non-uniform and unrepeatable. I researched, negotiated and justified the purchase of a robot that can uniformly deliver the proper amount of adhesive to parts that are center to the crystal growth process. My suggestion and research is saving thousands of dollars per year. I also did research on pyrometer control and made suggestions on mounting and focus that has saved hundreds of labor hours per year. I have been written in on a patent disclosure for 100mm SiC single crystal growth process. I worked very close with the scientist that handled the modeling for the growth process with varying geometries. I designed built and implemented a switch over gas delivery panel for high purity N2 cylinders. This system allowed doping of N2 at different levels. I reorganized two labs and made them both much more user friendly and efficient. I built numerous fixtures that made each new project work smoothly. Many of my designs have become part of the process today. Most of my upgrade designs over the past couple of years have been mechanical. I decided to take AutoCAD classes at NC State and have completed two levels. Some of my designs are being used in the experimental projects. All of my upgrades and designs are saving time, money and labor hours. For example, I designed a crucible part that allows a small piece to absorb the stress of thermal expansion and contraction during crucible heat cycle. This small piece prevents the breakage of larger pieces and more importantly saves deterioration of the growers/reactors, therefore saving time and money. I have become an efficiency expert and I am called upon to make processes flow in a safe and streamline manner. For example, I discovered a data collect process that was disorganized and did not allow easy collection. After a short while I had the entire characterization process in line with the ACCESS database entry. Subsequent queries to the ACCESS database became easier and characterization of the product is now saving a great amount of time and money. I now work as a development technician and cross over to production if need be.

What they like about Cree Inc.:

Working in an organization that is technologically advanced, creative, and innovative is critical in your assessment of hiring companies. Less important to you are stability of the organization, the length of time an organization has been in business, and the business' plans for the future. You prefer a fast-moving company that will take risks to achieve its goals and objectives. The length of time the company has been in business is irrelevant. Maintaining status quo is unnecessary. You thrive on change, uncertainty and the upside of potential business risks, especially those associated with innovation. Stability for the long haul is not nearly as important as is working in an atmosphere that is charged with a sense of urgency and constant change.

Tags

AutoCad, Control Software, Access, JMP, WORD, Excel, ISO Auditor, Quality Control

Skills

P&L responsibilities, Presentation, Ecommerce Strategy and digital marketing channels optimization - SEO, SEM, email, affiliates - for high-profile accounts., Technology Solutions, Sales Support, Software Implementation, Requirements Analysis & Specification, Leadership

These are some of the questions we asked our climbers about their experiences with Cree Inc.: