Development Engineer Intern (Fall 2026)

First Solar; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 38,572 - 52,348; Part time

Job summary

First Solar is offering an internship opportunity at the California Technology Center in Santa Clara, CA. You will collaborate with engineers and technicians on hands‑on lab work related to solar panel research and development.

We seek engineering, chemistry, or physics students (2nd year undergrad or graduate level) with chemistry coursework and at least one lab course. Undergraduate research experience is a plus, and you must not have finished your degree.

Qualifications

• Engineering, chemistry, or physics student (2nd year undergrad or grad level).
• At least one chemistry lab course and some chemistry lecture courses completed.
• Undergraduate research lab experience is helpful.
• Applicant must not have finished their degree to qualify.
• Encourage interns to register their internship with their university.

Responsibilities

• Work with engineers and technicians on hands-on lab work related to solar panel research at the California Technology Center in Santa Clara, CA.
• Help advance experiments related to inkjet printing and spray coating of uniform thin film materials for solar panel R&D.
• Present accomplishments and project summary to the leadership team upon internship completion.

Skills

Physics & Chemistry

Data collection

Communication & teamwork

MS Excel

Education

Engineering undergrad

Job description

Job Description

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

Basic Job Scope

Leading the world’s sustainable energy future, First Solar interns work around the globe/country in research and development, marketing, project development, information technology, engineering, energy services and much more. When you work at First Solar, you will be challenged every day and provided real world experience. You will be given the opportunity to find new solutions and develop new skills to further advance your skillset. At First Solar we strive to foster a culture that encourages innovation through collaboration, urging colleagues to take smart risks, learning from failures and course correcting, and owning personal accountability for contributing to our mission.

Expected Length of Internship

• 3-5 months encompassing Fall term (with some flexibility)
• As an internship company, we allow flexibility to enroll in classes while working as an intern, as long as it doesn’t interfere with the essential functions of the position.

Education/Experience

• Engineering, chemistry, or physics (Year 2+ of undergrad, or any graduate level)
• Some experience in chemistry lecture courses and at least one chemistry lab course is required.
• Experience in an undergraduate research lab would be helpful.
• Applicant must not have finished their degree in order to qualify.
• First Solar encourages all interns to register their internship with their university.

Required Skills/Competencies

• Good knowledge of physics and chemistry concepts; experience in collecting data from experiments; good communication and teamwork; knows how to use MS Excel)

Basic Internship Scope (Project)

• The intern will interact with a team of engineers and technicians to conduct hands‑on lab work related to solar panel research experiments conducted at the California Technology Center in Santa Clara, CA.
• The intern will help push forward experiments related to inkjet printing and spray coating of uniform thin film materials related to solar panel R&D.
• Upon the completion of this internship, the intern is required to present their accomplishments and project summary to the leadership team.

Estimated Salary Range

• 27.50 USD per hour- 37.50 USD per hr

US Physical Requirements

• Hybrid 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.