Development Engineer II - Thermal Equipment

First Solar; Perrysburg (OH); On-site; USD 81,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

First Solar is seeking a Development Engineer to advance thermal annealing and materials-process development for PV modules. This role focuses on scaling processes from pilot to production, driving yield improvements, and ensuring cost-effective performance improvements.

You will own reliability and troubleshooting of equipment, design and run controlled experiments, and collaborate with R&D and manufacturing to deliver high-quality, scalable processes.

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree in engineering or similar technical discipline with 15 years of relevant experience or 2 years as Development Engineer I at First Solar.
• Bachelor’s Degree in engineering or similar technical discipline with 5 years of relevant experience or 2 years as Development Engineer I at First Solar.
• Master’s Degree in engineering or similar technical discipline with 3 years of relevant experience or 2 years as Development Engineer I at First Solar.
• Ph.D. in engineering or similar technical discipline, without prior technical work experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop, continuously improve, and document robust solar module processes to achieve the highest product performance in a cost-efficient manner.
• May be responsible for determining, evaluating and documenting process and equipment specifications for improved performance.
• Design and execute planned process experiments, collect and analyze data and report experimental results.
• Effective communicator with internal and external partners. Effective team member that can support cross-functional projects and take ownership of deliverables.
• May train, mentor and manage junior associates.
• Complies with Company's Environmental, Quality, Safety or any other policies that have been enforced.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Job description subject to change at any time.

Skills

Thermal annealing

Materials science

Experiment execution

Equipment troubleshooting

DOE

Statistical Process Control

Structured problem solving

Ownership

Cross-functional communication

Education

Associate’s Degree in engineering or equivalent

Bachelor’s Degree in engineering or equivalent

Master’s Degree in engineering or equivalent

Ph.D. in engineering or equivalent

Job description

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

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

Basic Job Functions

• Utilize thermal process equipment to develop and scale PV films.
• Own equipment reliability, uptime and process troubleshooting for new technologies including tool down issues, yield, and quality issues.
• Design, execute, and analyze screening and optimization tests in conjunction with integration and technical development teams. Implement manufacturable processes to meet production timelines.
• Identify and/or implement system improvements that contribute to the achievement of throughput, yield and product performance goals.
• Responsible for solving day-to-day production, equipment, and process problems.

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, without prior technical work experience.

Required Skills/Competencies

• Comprehensive understanding of functional business units’ core area (thermal annealing or materials science), with expert knowledge in at least one area.
• Skills and hands-on experience in execution of experiments and equipment and process troubleshooting in a manufacturing environment.
• Analytical skills to interpret data and derive conclusions.
• Proficient in Design of Experiments, Statistical Process Control and Structured Problem-Solving Methods.
• Ability to make and execute detailed plans to achieve objectives with strong sense of ownership.
• Good communication skills across organizations.

Essential Responsibilities

• Develop, continuously improve, and document robust solar module processes to achieve the highest product performance in a cost-efficient manner.
• May be responsible for determining, evaluating and documenting process and equipment specifications for improved performance.
• Design and execute planned process experiments, collect and analyze data and report experimental results.
• Effective communicator with internal and external partners. Effective team member that can support cross-functional projects and take ownership of deliverables.
• May train, mentor and manage junior associates.
• Complies with Company's Environmental, Quality, Safety or any other policies that have been enforced.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Job description subject to change at any time.

Reporting Relationships

• Reports to Development Engineer or Technical Director.
• This position may have direct reports.

Travel

• 5% - 10%

Estimated Salary Range

• $80,700 - $115,000 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.