Coherent

RF Induction Systems Engineer - Crystal Growth & Melting Equipment

Coherent • $90K — $130K *
Budd Lake, NJ 07828In-Person
Manufacturing & Automotive
5 - 7 years of experience
1 month ago
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field
  • 5+ years of experience in RF power systems, induction heating, or high-power electronics
  • Strong understanding of resonant circuits, impedance matching, and RF power delivery systems
  • Hands-on experience with induction heating systems in kHz range
  • Experience with high-temperature or vacuum systems

Responsibilities

  • Design and optimize RF induction heating systems in 1-50 kHz range
  • Develop and tune high-power resonant circuits
  • Specify and integrate RF generators and matching networks
  • Support crystal growth melting systems and optimize thermal gradients
  • Perform electromagnetic and thermal simulations using tools like COMSOL and ANSYS
  • Lead tuning of RF systems and troubleshoot dynamic load issues
  • Develop validation procedures and analyze system performance

Benefits

  • Cross-functional collaboration with materials scientists and engineers
  • Opportunities for mentorship and technical leadership
  • Exposure to a range of systems including high-temperature and vacuum setups
  • Hands-on work with experimental setups and large-scale industrial equipment
  • Involvement in adhering to ISO quality and environmental standards
Full Job Description
Job Description

Key Responsibilities

RF System Design & Development
  • Design and optimize current RF induction heating systems (typically 1-50 kHz range)
  • Develop and tune series and parallel resonant circuits for high-power operation
  • Specify and integrate RF generators, matching networks, and capacitor banks
  • Design and optimize induction coils for thermal profile and coupling efficiency

Process & Equipment Engineering
  • Support and develop crystal growth melting systems
  • Optimize thermal gradients, melt stability, and power delivery
  • Integrate RF systems with crystal growth platforms (e.g., CZ, HEM, skull melting)
  • Develop process recipes and operating envelopes for different materials

Modeling & Simulation
  • Perform electromagnetic and thermal simulations (e.g., COMSOL, ANSYS)
  • Model coupling efficiency, current distribution, and heating profiles
  • Analyze load-dependent impedance behavior and resonance shifts

System Tuning & Troubleshooting
  • Lead tuning of RF systems under dynamic load conditions
  • Diagnose issues related to:
    • detuning and reflected power
    • instability and oscillation
    • coil overheating and inefficiency
  • Optimize performance across full process cycle (cold start 12 melt 12 steady-state)

Hardware Integration
  • Design and review:
    • coil assemblies
    • cooling systems (water-cooled copper structures)
    • bus bars and power delivery systems
  • Ensure robust high-current, low-loss electrical connections

Testing & Validation
  • Develop test plans and validation procedures
  • Analyze system performance using:
    • current/voltage measurements
    • phase and impedance analysis
    • thermal diagnostics
  • Lead commissioning of new equipment and upgrades

Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Work with materials scientists, process engineers, and mechanical teams
  • Support scale-up from R&D to production systems
  • Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers


Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field
  • 5+ years of experience in RF power systems, induction heating, or high-power electronics
  • Strong understanding of:
    • resonant circuits (series and parallel)
    • impedance matching
    • RF power delivery systems
  • Hands-on experience with induction heating systems (kHz range preferred)
  • Experience with high-temperature or vacuum systems


Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with crystal growth systems (CZ, HEM, skull melting, Bridgman)
  • Familiarity with reactive oxide or semiconductor materials
  • Experience with COMSOL, ANSYS Maxwell, or similar tools
  • Knowledge of:
    • thermal management and cooling design
    • high-current bus design
    • vacuum and controlled atmosphere systems
  • Experience working with RF generators (solid-state or tube-based)


Key Skills
  • RF system tuning and optimization
  • Electromagnetic and thermal analysis
  • Troubleshooting complex coupled systems
  • Hands-on experimental and debugging skills
  • Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking


Working Environment
  • Combination of lab, pilot production, and engineering design environment
  • Exposure to high-temperature systems, high current RF equipment, and vacuum systems
  • Requires hands-on work with experimental setups and industrial-scale equipment

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

Quality and Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

About Coherent

Coherent, Inc. is a global leader in providing laser-based solutions to a broad range of commercial and scientific research customers. The company designs, manufactures, and markets lasers, laser-based systems, precision optics, and related accessories for a diverse group of customers. Coherent's markets include scientific research, OEM components and instrumentation, microelectronics, materials processing, and life sciences. The company's products are used in a wide range of applications. Coherent was founded in 1966 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California.
Learn more about Coherent
Size
5,085 employees
Market Cap
$4.6 billion
Industry
Manufacturing & Automotive
Net Income
-$419.7 million
Founded
1966
5 Year Trend
+27.8%
Revenue
$1.2 billion
NASDAQ
COHR
* Ladders Estimates

Similar Jobs

Ad banner background

Get Ready For Your
Next Interview

More Jobs at Coherent

More Manufacturing & Automotive Jobs

Find similar RF Induction Systems Engineer - Crystal Growth & Melting Equipment jobs:

NationwideBudd Lake, NJ