Development Engineer II - Metrology

First Solar; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

First Solar in Santa Clara, CA, seeks a development engineer to lead electro-optical characterization for perovskite solar cell research. You will design and implement custom measurement equipment and software to build a robust characterization platform.

The role emphasizes hands-on hardware, data analysis, safety, and mentorship of peers, with opportunities to advance measurement methods and improve uptime in a fast-paced laboratory setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in engineering or similar, 5 years' technical experience.
• Master degree in engineering, 3 years' technical experience.
• PhD in engineering with no experience.
• Experience with tester automation is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop new metrology to enable process monitoring and advanced characterization.
• Implement characterization setups utilizing internal and external vendors.
• Communicate techniques across the organization and assess demand for new capabilities.
• Supervise development of characterization system software and hardware.
• Enable preventive maintenance and cross-training to minimize downtime.

Skills

Electro-optical characterization

Thin-film metrology

Equipment development

Embedded controls programming

Data analysis

Lab safety

Education

Bachelor degree in engineering

Master degree in engineering

PhD in engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

Test automation tools

Job description

Job Description

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

• Lead development of electro-optical characterization and custom equipment capabilities to support perovskite solar cell research.
• Apply deep technical expertise, hands‑on equipment development, software programming, and data analysis to deliver robust characterization infrastructure
• Enable new measurement methods, improve up time, support safe laboratory operations, and mentor others on relevant subject matter.

Basic Job Functions:

• Lead development of electro-optical characterization and custom equipment capabilities to support perovskite solar cell research.
• Apply deep technical expertise, hands‑on equipment development, software programming, and data analysis to deliver robust characterization infrastructure
• Enable new measurement methods, improve up time, support safe laboratory operations, and mentor others on relevant subject matter.

Experience and Education:

• Bachelor Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline, with 5 years of technical work experience as an Engineer or 2 years as a Development Engineer I with First Solar.
• Master Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline, with 3 years of technical work experience as an Engineer or 2 years as a Development Engineer I with First Solar.
• PhD in an engineering discipline without experience.
• Prior experience on tester automation is a strong plus.

Required Skills:

• Technical expert in electro‑optical characterization, thin‑film metrology and equipment development.
• Hands‑on experience in design, build, and programming of custom characterization equipment and embedded controls
• Skilled in tool software development and numerical data analysis
• Demonstrated expertise in creating safe work environment
• Excellent communication skills, proven organizational skills
• Prior experience in perovskite photovoltaics or optoelectronics is a plus.
• Expert and hands on experience in laboratory or manufacturing environment.
• In depth knowledge in several fields from the list of photovoltaic device theory, characterization techniques and other fields relevant to First Solar's technology.
• Demonstrated proficiency with SolidWorks or AutoCAD strongly preferred.
• Strong sense of project ownership with hands‑on and can‑do attitude.
• Strong communication skills across organizations.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Develop new metrology to enable process monitoring and advanced characterization for perovskite solar cell research.
• Implement novel characterization setups utilizing internal and external vendors
• Communicate effectively across the organization to explain existing techniques and to learn the demand for new characterization capabilities
• Supervise continues improvement and development of characterization system’s software and hardware.
• Enable a system of preventive maintenance and cross-training that allows for minimal downtime of characterization infrastructure
• Work closely with key stakeholders to enable implementation and continuous improvement of methods, recipes and data infrastructure
• May train, mentor and manage junior and peers on specific subject matters.
• Comply with Company's Environmental, Quality, Safety or any other policies that have been enforced. Contributes to continuous improvement of said policies.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Job description subject to change at any time.

Estimated Salary Range:

• 104,910 USD per year- 149,500 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 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.