Development Engineer III

First Solar; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 109,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

First Solar is seeking a development engineer to advance perovskite film quality and solar cell performance. You will design experiments, fabricate core layers, and characterize devices while applying statistical methods to optimize material stacks and processes.

You will mentor junior team members and collaborate with internal and external partners, including potential domestic and international travel. The role emphasizes ownership and delivery of program goals within a fast-paced lab setting.

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 20 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years as Development Engineer II at First Solar.
• Bachelor’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 10 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years as Development Engineer II at First Solar.
• Master’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 8 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years as Development Engineer II at First Solar.
• Ph.D. in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 5 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years as Development Engineer II at First Solar.
• Degree in chemical engineering, chemistry, or material science strongly preferred

Responsibilities

• Perform material and device research to enhance perovskite film quality and device performance.
• Design experiments, fabricate core layers, characterize devices/material properties.
• Lead and troubleshoot key process/test equipment for projects.
• Plan, execute and characterize development engineering experiments in the lab.
• Mentor teammates and collaborate with internal/external partners.

Skills

Material research

Device research

Experiment design

Troubleshooting

Cross-team communication

Project planning

Statistical methods

Leadership mentoring

Education

Associate’s degree in engineering or technical discipline

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Master’s degree in engineering

Ph.D. in engineering

Chemical engineering/chemistry/material science preferred

Tools

ALD

PVD

CVD

Evap

etching (dry/wet)

laser scribing

lamination

ink formulation

Job description

Job Description

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

• Perform material and device research to enhance thin film solar cell performance and stability and to reduce manufacturing cost.
• Design experiments, hands-on fabricate core layers, characterize devices/material properties, applies statistical and engineering methods to optimize material and stack performance
• Hands-on leading specifying, commissioning, qualifying, retrofitting (where needed), troubleshooting and sustaining key process/test equipment related to project, ensuring timely supply of raw material/consumables/spares, developing standard operation procedure, providing cross-training to peers when necessary
• Responsible for projects or functions that are enablers to department goals and deliverables.
• Plan, execute and characterize development engineering experiments in the laboratory.
• Applies statistical and engineering methods to optimize organizational effectiveness. Improves methods for use by others.

Job Description

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

• Perform material and device research to enhance thin film solar cell performance and stability and to reduce manufacturing cost.
• Design experiments, hands-on fabricate core layers, characterize devices/material properties, applies statistical and engineering methods to optimize material and stack performance
• Hands-on leading specifying, commissioning, qualifying, retrofitting (where needed), troubleshooting and sustaining key process/test equipment related to project, ensuring timely supply of raw material/consumables/spares, developing standard operation procedure, providing cross-training to peers when necessary
• Responsible for projects or functions that are enablers to department goals and deliverables.
• Plan, execute and characterize development engineering experiments in the laboratory.
• Applies statistical and engineering methods to optimize organizational effectiveness. Improves methods for use by others.

Education/Experience:

• Associate’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 20 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer II at First Solar.
• Bachelor’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 10 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer II at First Solar.
• Master’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 8 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer II at First Solar.
• Ph.D. in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 5 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer II at First Solar.
• Degree in chemical engineering, chemistry, or material science strongly preferred
• Prior experience working with scalable spray, inkjet print, slot die, blade coat of function coating strongly preferred, especially in regards of ink formulation to enhance coating quality
• Prior experience working on wet coating of perovskite coating strongly preferred

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Expert knowledge in at least one area among the following: solution-based perovskite fabrication, scalable wet coating process such as spray coating, slot die, blade coat, inkjet print
• In-depth knowledge in ink formulation to influence surface energy and material compatibility, to drive coating quality optimization and ultimately device performance
• Working knowledge in selective thin film processes (ALD, PVD, CVD, evap, dry/wet etch, laser scribing, lamination) and device integration
• Familiarity with solar cells and relevant physics devices.
• Experience with reliability and accelerated testing
• Skills and hands-on experience in execution of experiments in laboratory environment.
• Analytical skills to interpret data and derive conclusions.
• Ability to make and execute detailed plans to achieve objectives with strong sense of ownership.
• Demonstrated capability to practice critical thinking and common sense, and to effectively troubleshoot process and equipment challenges
• Good communication skills across organizations.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Perform material and device research to enhance perovskite film quality at various band gap values, solar cell performance and stability, reduce/eliminate key factor driving coating/device instability during perovskite fabrication process, post-PK steps and accelerated stress tests
• Design and optimize synthetic routes for fabricating high-quality perovskite materials, utilizing various synthesis techniques that a scalable.
• Prototype solar cell devices and conduct electrical and photophysical characterizations
• Mentor and advise other team members working on related projects where applies, collaborate with internal and external collaborators where applies which may involve domestic and international travels
• Meet internal program goals and personal performance goals
• May train, mentor and manage junior associates.
• May be responsible to determine and evaluate material specification for improved performance. May be responsible to determine and evaluate tool/equipment specifications.
• Effective communicator with internal and external partners and customers. Effective team member that can support cross-functional projects and take ownership of sub-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 Manger of Device Research
• May have direct reports.

Travel:

• Up to 10% domestic/international

Estimated Salary Range:

• 109,460 USD per year - 165,000 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 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.