Job DescriptionFirst Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.
Basic Job Functions: - Develop, scale-up, and transfer of new and emerging thin-film manufacturing processes that may include vacuum deposition, wet coatings and cleans, laser process and module packaging, lamination and electrical testing processes.
- Qualify and sustain new process equipment in a 24x7 manufacturing environment.
- Participate in troubleshooting to meet and improve Safety, Throughput, Yield and Performance benchmarks.
- Use structured problem-solving (e.g., DMAIC, 8D) and statistical methods (DOE, SPC) to identify, test, and implement continuous improvements.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams for problem solving and technology scaling.
- Datamine and Visualize process and equipment data using industry standard tools like SQL, Python, JMP, PowerBI.
Education/Experience:- Associate's Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 12 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer I or Manufacturing Engineer I at First Solar.
- Bachelor's Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 5 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer I or Manufacturing Engineer I at First Solar.
- Master's Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 3 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer II or Manufacturing Engineer I at First Solar.
- Ph.D. in engineering discipline or similar technical discipline or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer I or Manufacturing Engineer I at First Solar.
- Prior experience in a Semiconductor or PV R&D or Mfg Setting in one or more of the following areas Thin-Film Deposition (Magnetron Sputtering, CVD, evaporation) OR Thermal processing in semiconductor or glass industry (continuous or batch ovens) OR Wet Coatings (Slot-Die, Ink-Jet, Roller or Blade Coating), Automation (Robots and AGV Material Handling) OR Laser Processing (Scribing, Cleaning, Marking) OR Process/ Device Integration (Semiconductor or PV R&D or Mfg Setting) is required.
Required Skills/Competencies:- Demonstrated experience and knowledge in one or more areas including thin film deposition (PVD, ALD, CVD), thermal processing, wet coatings (ink-jet, spray, roll-coating), laser processing, and metrology.
- Demonstrated Hands-On experience in Mechanical and Process troubleshooting.
- Demonstrated Hands-On experience executing experiments in laboratory or manufacturing setting.
- Strong communication skills across technical and non-technical teams.
- Ability to collaborate effectively in cross-functional global teams.
- Strong organizational skills and ownership of assigned responsibilities.
Essential Responsibilities:- Adhere to all safety procedures, protocols and contribute to EHS/Quality improvements.
- Develop, improve, and document robust solar module manufacturing processes.
- Serve as a subject-matter expert for process or equipment sets assigned.
- Design and execute process experiments; analyze and present results.
- Work with equipment OEMs; evaluate, install, and qualify tools.
- Execute continuous improvement plans using Six Sigma methodologies.
- Mentor junior engineers and technicians and provide technical training to operational teams.
- Develop Process Control Plans, FMEAs, Work Instructions, and Troubleshooting Guides.
- Maintain effective cross-functional communication including leadership.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Job description subject to change at any time.
Reporting Relationships:- Manager or Sr. Manager, Manufacturing Technology Scaling.
- May have direct reports.
Travel:Estimated Salary Range:- $80,700-$115,000 Annually.
US 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.
Office Physical Requirements:All positions in our office require interaction with people and technology while either standing or sitting. To best service our customers, internal and external, all associates must be able to communicate face-to-face and on the phone with or without reasonable accommodation.
