Job Description

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

Basic Job Functions:

Install and qualify new process equipment.  Troubleshoot day-to-day manufacturing issues on the production line in a timely manner.  These include tool down issues, yield, quality issues and identify actions to prevent repeat issues.  Identify and/or implement system improvements that contribute to the achievement of throughput, yield and product performance goals. 

Education/Experience:

• Associates Degree in a technical discipline with 2 years of experience as First Solar Manufacturing Engineer I or 3 years Engineering experience in a manufacturing setting, or 2 years Engineering experience and 6 years technical experience in a manufacturing setting or
• Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline with 2 years of experience as First Solar Manufacturing Engineer I or 3 years Engineering experience in a manufacturing setting or 2 years Engineering experience and 3 years technical experience in a manufacturing setting or 
• MS Degree in a technical discipline with 2-4 years Engineering experience in a manufacturing setting or
• PhD Degree in a technical discipline with 0-3 years Engineering experience in a manufacturing setting

Required Skills/Competencies:

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated Proficiency in Statistical Data Analysis
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated Proficiency Metrology and measurement best practices
• Demonstrated Proficiency in writing complete manufacturing documentation
• Understands and can apply Design of Experiments
• Demonstrated Proficiency in applying Statistical Process Control)
• Structured Problem-Solving Method (such as DMAIC)
• Demonstrated knowledge of manufacturing processes
• Demonstrated proficiency in generating and maintaining FMEAs
• Demonstrated capability to train operators, technicians, and new engineers
• Ability to work autonomously to achieve goals
• Excellent oral and written communications skills
• Preferred to have knowledge on deposition principles and vacuum fundamentals.

Desired Skills

• Knowledge of General Electronics
• Knowledge in General Mechanical Systems
• Demonstrated proficiency with applying Robust Engineering principles to develop and implementing processes

Essential Responsibilities:

• Develop, continuously improve, and document robust solar module manufacturing processes to achieve the highest product performance in a cost-efficient manner.
• Inject manufacturing requirements to new process development by working with development team.
• Design and execute experiments to establish manufacturing process window.
• Responsible for solving day-to-day production, equipment, and process problems.
• Evaluate, Install and Qualify new equipment.
• Design and execute planned process experiments, collect, and analyze data and report experimental results.
• Responsible for data collection relating to daily equipment performance and associated product performance.
• Responsible to interface with internal associates and supplier representatives as required to complete assigned projects.
• Maintain effective communication with production associates and manufacturing engineers.
• Set up new gauges and perform Gauge maintenance.
• Develop and provide training to other engineers, engineering technicians, and production associates.
• Champion continuous improvement activities using six-sigma and other statistical problem-solving methods.
• Provide mentorship to Jr. engineers and Technicians.
• Develop Process Control Plans and Preventive Maintenance Plans 
• Works with minimal supervision
• Adhere to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards.
• Domestic and International travel as required.
• Develop and maintain drawings, process specifications, develop and enforce standard operating procedures.
• Perform data collection relating to daily equipment performance and associated product performance.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Job description subject to change at any time

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports to Manager, Manufacturing Engineering Deposition
• This position may have direct reports.

Travel:

• Domestic and International travel as required.
• If hiring to a new plant prior to plant start, associate will be required to spend extended time (60-80%) in another plant in either Ohio or Alabama for training until their assigned plan starts equipment installation

Estimated Salary Range:

• $75,100 - $107,000, 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 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)

Office Physical Requirements:

All positions in our office require interaction with people and technology while either standing or sitting. In order 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. First Solar is committed to compliance with its obligations under all applicable state and federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. In keeping with this commitment, it attempts to reasonably accommodate applicants and employees in accordance with the requirements of the disability discrimination laws. It also invites individuals with disabilities to participate in a good faith, interactive process to identify reasonable accommodations that can be made without imposing an undue hardship.

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 band 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.