Development Engineer III

First Solar

$84K — $120K *
Energy & Utilities
15+ years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in engineering or related technical discipline with varying years of experience (5-20 years) based on degree level.
  • Technical expertise in photovoltaic processes and equipment development.
  • Hands-on experience in laboratory or manufacturing settings is essential.
  • In-depth knowledge of photovoltaic device theory, materials science, and process engineering.
  • Strong project ownership and communication skills across different teams.

Responsibilities

  • Perform research to improve solar cell efficiency and material costs.
  • Plan and execute complex experiments with strategic foresight.
  • Apply statistical methods to enhance operational effectiveness.
  • Evaluate specifications for materials and equipment to drive performance improvements.
  • Communicate effectively with partners and support cross-functional teams.
  • Mentor and train junior staff on specialized topics.
  • Adhere to environmental, quality, and safety policies.

Benefits

  • Opportunities for training and professional development.
  • Mentorship from experienced professionals in the field.
  • Collaborative work environment with cross-functional teams.
  • Engagement in innovative projects that shape the future of solar technology.
Full Job Description
Job Description

First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.

Basic Job Functions:
  • Perform material and device research to enhance thin film solar cell performance and stability and to reduce manufacturing cost.
  • Responsible for projects or functions that are highly complex require significant innovation and critical to department objectives.
  • Plan, execute and characterize development engineering experiments in the laboratory and manufacturing environment with strategic foresight. Drives actions with strategic foresight.
  • Applies statistical and engineering methods to optimize organizational effectiveness. Improves methods for use by others.

Education/Experience:
  • Associate's Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 20 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer II at First Solar.
  • Bachelor's Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 10 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer II at First Solar.
  • Master's Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 8 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer II at First Solar.
  • Ph.D. in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 5 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer II at First Solar.

Required Skills/Competencies:
  • Technical expert and innovator in one area of photovoltaic processes and/or equipment development.
  • Expert and hands on experience in laboratory or manufacturing environment.
  • In depth knowledge in several fields from the list of photovoltaic device theory, materials science, process engineering, characterization techniques and other fields relevant to First Solar's technology.
  • Strong sense of project ownership with hands-on and can-do attitude.
  • Strong communication skills across organizations.

Essential Responsibilities:
  • Identify opportunities for improvement in solar cell efficiency, material selection and process/equipment design through engineering, scientific or empirical methods.
  • Improve state of the art techniques for material analysis, statistical analysis of data, or execution planning of experiments. Develop a work plan that have unclear solution paths.
  • May be responsible to determine and evaluate material specification for improved performance. May be responsible to determine and evaluate tool/equipment specifications.
  • Effective communicator with internal and external partners and customers. Effective team members that can support cross-functional projects and take ownership of sub-deliverables.
  • May train, mentor and manage junior and peers on specific subject matters.
  • Comply with Company's Environmental, Quality, Safety or any other policies that have been enforced. Contributes to continuous improvement of said policies.
  • Other duties as assigned.
  • Job description subject to change at any time.

Reporting Relationships:
  • Reports to Development Manager.
  • May have direct reports.

Travel:
  • 0% - 5% (On occasion/as needed for training, etc.)

Estimated Salary Range:
  • $84,200 - $120,000 Annually

US Physical Requirements:

Hybrid Physical Requirements:
  • Will sit, stand or walk short distances for up to the entire duration of a shift.
  • Will climb stairs on an occasional basis.
  • Will lift, push or pull up to 37 pounds on an occasional basis.
  • Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects on a frequent basis.
  • 20/40 vision in both eyes together, with or without correction, is required.
  • Must be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures.
  • May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis.
  • May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis.
  • Ability to wear personal protective equipment is required (including but not limited to; steel-toed shoes, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, protective jacket or apron and arm guards, and a condition of employment and continued employment (requires little or no facial hair) for those requiring respirator use.

Potential candidates will meet the education and experience requirements provided on the above job description and excel in completing the listed responsibilities for this role.

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