Development Engineer II

First Solar; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 104,910 - 142,000; Full time

Job summary

First Solar is seeking a Development Engineer to lead design, implementation, and validation of electrical control systems and PLC/HMI software. You will support equipment commissioning, data collection, and AI/ML adoption across MES and SQL databases.

Required education ranges from Associate to PhD in engineering, with 2+ years in related industrial roles. Travel up to 10% domestically/internationally; strong Python and AutoCAD skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Proven experience with Python and ML libraries
• Experience in controls engineering and PLC/HMI programming
• Strong CAD skills for electrical layouts
• Hands-on troubleshooting of electrical control systems
• Familiarity with robotics, motion control, and vision systems
• Experience coordinating with international vendors
• Knowledge of data preprocessing and ML concepts for industrial use
• Experience with MSSQL/SSMS and data visualization tools
• Proficient with Microsoft Office
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities

Responsibilities

• Design and enhance control software for process and analytical equipment
• Streamline database systems through administration and automation
• Develop software tools to address site-specific challenges
• Coordinate design, programming, and implementation of control systems
• Assist with equipment installation and drawings maintenance
• Support cross-functional teams on large projects including hardware bring-up and CIP debugging
• Bridge data gaps between equipment and corporate servers for data exchange
• Maintain safe and compliant working practices

Skills

Python

PLC/HMI

AutoCAD

Electrical control systems

Robotics/vision

SQL/Databases

Machine learning basics

Data visualization

MS Office

Analytical thinking

Tools

MSSQL/SSMS

Cognex configuration

Job description

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

Basic Job Functions:

• Lead design, implementation, and validation of electrical control systems and PLC/HMI programming
• Support end-to-end equipment commissioning, vendor checkout, and system startup
• Drive data collection, optimization, and visualization for control systems
• Develop software tools to improve workflows and enable AI/ML adoption
• Integrate equipment with MES, SQL databases, and enterprise systems
• Troubleshoot and resolve control system and equipment issues

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.
• Minimum 2 years of industrial work experiences in one or more of the following categories: equipment project engineering, equipment engineering, software engineering, control engineering, Automation engineering, AI/ML driven functional material development

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Strong programming skills in Python, with experience using libraries such as NumPy, pandas, scikit-learn, TensorFlow, or PyTorch
• Experience with controls engineering and industrial automation systems, including PLC/HMI programming and electrical/control system troubleshooting
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, with the ability to interpret and develop electrical schematics and panel layouts
• Solid understanding of electrical and electronic control systems, with hands-on troubleshooting experience
• Familiarity with robotics systems, motion control (servo motors, stepper motors, AC/DC drives), and vision systems (e.g., Cognex configuration and programming)
• Experience coordinating with international vendors, including equipment integration and technical communication
• Working knowledge of machine learning concepts and data preprocessing techniques for industrial applications
• Familiarity with MSSQL/SSMS and data visualization tools for data analysis and reporting
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office tools
• Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and attention to detail

Essential Responsibilities:

• Design and enhance control software for process, metrology, and analytical equipment, enabling more efficiency research workflows and future machine learning and AI adoptions.
• Streamline database systems through administration, automation, and performance tuning to ensure reliable and efficient data operations.
• Develop tailored software tools and applications to address evolving site-specific challenges and improve overall productivity.
• Responsible for designing, programming, and coordination of small to mid-scale control systems and projects, enabling remote control where desired; responsible to assist with coordination of new equipment installation and implementation; responsible for maintaining and updating of process tool electrical drawings, ensuring the tracking of equipment changes is documented and drawings are kept current; responsible for troubleshooting and problem-solving equipment issues, especially control related; responsible to support cross functional teams on large projects including hardware bring-up/troubleshoot, software develop/CIP/debug, drive vendor communication; responsible to bridge gap of existing and new equipment in databasing to handshake with corporate server and be able to interface data transaction
• Maintain effective communications levels and fosters team building.
• Responsible for assisting with communication between process equipment and SQL database.
• Ensures adherence to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards.

Reporting Relationships:

• Report to Sr Member of the Technical Staff
• May have direct reports
• Up to 10% domestic/international

Travel:

Estimated Salary Range:

• 104,910 USD per year- 142,000 USD per year

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).

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.