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 enablers to department goals and deliverables. Plan, execute and characterize development engineering experiments in a manufacturing environment. Own operational success of wet coating equipment reliability, uptime and process development.  Applies statistical (DoE, SPC) 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 15 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development 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 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 I at First Solar. Ph.D. in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline, without prior technical work experience.

Required Skills/Competencies:

Comprehensive understanding of wet chemistry and wet chemical coatings (spray, roll coating, slot dye, etc) Mechanical aptitude and hands-on experience in execution of experiments in laboratory or manufacturing environment. Familiarity with semiconductor device physics and analytical film characterization techniques Analytical skills to interpret data and derive conclusions. Ability to make and execute detailed plans to achieve objectives with strong sense of ownership. Good 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. Apply state of the art techniques for material analysis, statistical analysis of data or execution/planning of experiments. Develop a work plan that can address problems with well understood solution paths. May be responsible to determine and evaluate material specification for improved performance. May be responsible to determine and evaluate tool/equipment specifications. Develop and sustain coating processes and equipment for transfer to manufacturing operations. Effective communicator with internal and external partners and customers. Effective team member that can support cross-functional projects and take ownership of sub-deliverables. May train, mentor and manage junior associates. Complies with Company's Environmental, Quality, Safety or any other policies that have been enforced. Other duties as assigned. Job description subject to change at any time.

Reporting Relationships:

Reports to Process Equipment Manager. May have direct reports.

Travel:

Limited (<5%) to no travel required

Estimated Salary Range:

$75,100-$115 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 27 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 each eye, 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). All associates working on the production floor may be required to wear a respirator at any given time and thus, the ability to wear a respirator is a condition of employment and continued employment (requires little or no facial hair).

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. All candidates receiving an offer of employment must successfully complete a background check and any other tests that may be required.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: First Solar is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a driving force in the success of our company.