Development Engineer III – Perovskite & Solar Materials

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

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.