Development Engineer I

First Solar, Inc.; Perrysburg (OH); On-site; USD 68,800 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

First Solar, Inc. is seeking an experienced engineer to own the uptime, calibration, maintenance, and configuration control of specialized characterization tools.

You will develop light soak test protocols and create SOPs to ensure high‑quality data and reliable measurements. Qualifications include advanced engineering degrees with relevant experience, strong data analysis skills, and the ability to work in a lab/manufacturing setting while improving throughput and understanding PV device

Qualifications

• Familiarity with plant and laboratory operations; safety and quality standards.
• Hands-on experience in laboratory or manufacturing environments.
• Plan, organize, design, and execute experiments with minimal supervision.
• Conduct preliminary data analysis and generate clear reports and procedures.
• Proficiency with MS Office; experience with JMP, SQL, MATLAB or Python for data analysis is a plus.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities with electromechanical systems.
• Solid understanding of PV device physics, thin-film solar technologies, and electrical measurement techniques.
• Read electrical schematics and mechanical drawings; basic knowledge of circuits and PCB design.

Responsibilities

• Identify opportunities to reduce cost and improve performance in measurement processes.
• Provide training to technicians on safe operation and maintenance of measurement tools.
• Maintain cross-functional collaboration and support business needs.
• Install, qualify, and improve equipment to enhance test throughput and measurement performance.
• Other duties as assigned and adapt to changing job descriptions.
• Job description subject to change at any time.

Skills

Safety compliance

Laboratory experience

Experiment design

Data analysis

MS Office proficiency

JMP

SQL

MATLAB

Python

Electromechanical troubleshooting

PV device physics

Electrical schematics reading

Education

Associate degree in engineering

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree in engineering

Tools

JMP

SQL

MATLAB

Python

Job description

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

Basic Job Functions

• Own the uptime, calibration, maintenance, and configuration control of specialized characterization tools, including IV testers, EL imaging systems, CV/QE measurement tools, and light soak chambers.
• Develop light soak test protocols to simulate long term field exposure, enabling evaluation of device stability and degradation mechanisms which will help validating new technologies, processes, and product reliability.
• Create and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), test instructions, and diagnostic workflows to ensure consistent, highquality measurement data.
• Troubleshoot and resolve daily equipment issues while implementing long-term improvements to increase test throughput, tool robustness, and measurement accuracy.

Education/Experience

• Associate's degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 10 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as an Associate Engineer or Development Engineer Technician III at First Solar.
• Bachelor's Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 3 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as an Associate Engineer or Development Engineer Technician III at First Solar.
• Master's Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 1 year of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as an Associate Engineer at First Solar.

Required Skills/Competencies

• Familiarity with plant and laboratory operations; ability to adhere to all safety, environmental, and quality standards.
• Hands‑on experience working in laboratory or manufacturing environments.
• Strong ability to plan, organize, design, and execute experiments with minimal supervision.
• Ability to conduct preliminary data analysis and generate clear reports, work instructions, and procedures.
• Proficiency with all Microsoft Office suite programs; experience with JMP, SQL, MATLAB, or Python for data analysis is a plus.
• Strong problem‑solving and troubleshooting abilities, particularly with electromechanical systems.
• Solid understanding of PV device physics, thin‑film solar technologies, and electrical measurement techniques.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics/ mechanical drawings, with foundational knowledge of electrical circuits and PCB design.

Essential Responsibilities

• Identify and implement opportunities for cost reduction, performance improvement, and efficiency gains in measurement processes.
• Provide training to technicians and users on the safe/ proper operation and maintenance of measurement tools.
• Maintain effective cross‑functional collaboration and provide support as required by business needs.
• Install, qualify, and improve new and existing equipment to enhance test throughput and measurement performance.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Job description subject to change at any time.

Reporting Relationships

• Reports to Development Engineer or Development Manager.
• May have direct reports.

Travel

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

Estimated Salary Range

• $68,800-$98,000 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).

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.