Automation Technician (All Crews/All PGT Plants)

First Solar; Perrysburg (OH); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

First Solar in Perrysburg, OH is seeking an Automation Technician I for Manufacturing Sustaining to support equipment startups, PLC/HMI programming and troubleshooting of control systems on the manufacturing floor.

You will work on AM or PM shifts on a rotating 36/48 hour schedule, helping maintain electrical control systems, update drawings and assist with MES integration efforts, while following safety procedures.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of manufacturing equipment electrical/electronic/controls experience.
• Associate/Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Robotics, Industrial Controls, or Electronic Engineering (preferred).
• No Degree - 5+ years verifiable experience in related field (semiconductors, automotive).

Responsibilities

• Support manufacturing facilities, including remote support of world-wide operations.
• Troubleshoot, repair, problem-solve, and maintain electrical control systems for manufacturing equipment.
• Assist with coordination of new equipment installation and MES integration events.
• Maintain and update manufacturing process tool electrical drawings, documenting equipment changes.
• Implement new software changes/upgrades specified by the Controls Engineering Department.
• Identify, research, document and present solutions to control problems and continuous improvement projects.
• Interface with multiple departments and maintain effective communications.
• Ensure adherence to safety procedures and housekeeping standards.

Skills

Independent work

Task prioritization

Data interpretation

Reading electrical drawings

Manufacturing process knowledge

Safety compliance

Problem solving

Communication skills

SQL basics

Team collaboration

Education

Associate/Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Robotics, Industrial Controls, or Electronic Engineering (preferred)

No Degree - 5+ years verifiable experience in related field (semiconductors, automotive)

Tools

Autodesk AutoCAD

Rockwell PLC

Rockwell HMI (FactoryTalk View ME)

Proface HMI

Ethernet networks (ControlNet/DeviceNet/Profibus)

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description
Job Title: Automation Technician I - Manufacturing Sustaining

Job Description
Job Title: Automation Technician I - Manufacturing Sustaining
Reports To: Controls Engineering Manager – Sustaining
Job Status:
Non-Exempt
First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.
Basic Job Functions:

• The following is an entry level Automation Technician controls position were a successful candidate will be

required to support manufacturing operations, assist with equipment implementation/startup, , PLC/HMI
programing, and trouble-shooting/optimization of manufacturing processes control systems. This position
directly supports a manufacturing site, the successful candidate will be assigned to a manufacturing
schedule on either AM or PM crew/shift. AM shift is 6:00AM - 6:10PM. PM shift is 6:00PM - 6:10AM. This
results in a rotating 36/48 hour work week schedule, which includes working every other Friday, Saturday
and Sunday.
Education/Experience:

• Minimum 2 years of manufacturing equipment electrical/electronic/controls experience.
• Associate/Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Robotics, Industrial Controls, or Electronic Engineering (preferred)
• No Degree - Must have 5+ years verifiable experience in a related field, (i.e., Semiconductors, Automotive

etc.).
Required Skills/Competencies:

• Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks and set priorities.
• Ability to interpret data and make reasonable conclusions to assist in trouble-shooting process.
• Good understanding/knowledge of reading electrical/mechanical drawings and suggest modifications as

required.

• Good understanding/knowledge of manufacturing processes and safety requirements.
• Demonstrated proficiency and problem solving ability to trouble-shoot electrical/electronic control systems in

manufacturing environment.

• Competent in Autodesk AutoCAD drafting software to create electrical schematic and panel layouts.
• Good understanding/knowledge programming/trouble-shooting of Rockwell Automation Logix platform

PLC’s.

• Good understanding/knowledge programming/trouble-shooting Rockwell Automation Human Machine

Interfaces (HMI) utilizing FactoryTalk View ME; Proface HMI experience a plus.

• Good understanding trouble-shooting at least two control network including ControlNet, DeviceNet, Profibus

and/or Ethernet.

• Basic understanding/knowledge of robotic systems including trouble-shooting, programming, safety.
• Good understanding of computer hardware/applications and the Microsoft Office family.
• Basic understanding of corporate Ethernet architectures and systems.
• Proficient communications skills both verbal and written.
• Basic understanding of SQL Database tables/queries.
• Basic understanding of data collection processes and OPC protocols.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Primary Responsibilities:
• Responsible for support of manufacturing facilities, including remote support of world-wide

manufacturing facilities.

• Responsible to troubleshoot, repair, problem-solve, and maintain all electrical control systems for

manufacturing equipment.

• Responsible to assist with coordination of new equipment installation and implementation; including of

MES integration events.

• Responsible for maintaining and updating of manufacturing process tool electrical drawings, ensuring

the tracking of equipment changes is documented and drawings are kept current.

• Responsible to implement new software changes/upgrades specified by the Controls Engineering

Department

• Responsible to identify, research, document and present solutions to control problems and continuous

improvement projects

• Responsible to interface with multiple departments within the organization.
• Maintain effective communications levels and fosters team building.
• Ensures adherence to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards.
• Key Competencies:
• Takes responsibility for understanding client requirements, collecting data, delivering analysis and

problem resolution. Identifies, evaluates and recommends options, implementing if required.
Collaborates with, and faciliti… etc…