Development Engineer IV - Integration USA

First Solar; Perrysburg (OH); On-site; USD 99,600 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

First Solar is seeking a Development Engineer located in Perrysburg, Ohio, to enhance perovskite solar cell performance, oversee complex projects, and conduct material/device research. Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in engineering and a minimum of 20 years of relevant experience, or equivalent qualifications.

This role requires strong technical skills, project ownership, and effective communication across teams. The position is essential for driving significant innovations in solar technology.

Qualifications

• 20 years of experience in relevant technical field or 2 years as Development Engineer III.
• Master's: 15 years or 2 years as Development Engineer III.
• Ph.D.: 10 years or 2 years as Development Engineer III.

Responsibilities

• Enhance solar cell performance and stability.
• Lead complex projects critical to department objectives.
• Optimize effectiveness using statistical methods.

Skills

Technical expertise in perovskite processes

Ability to develop new solutions

Deep knowledge of photovoltaic device theory

Project ownership

Strong communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in engineering or related field

Master’s Degree in engineering or related field

Ph.D. in engineering or related field

Job description

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 perovskite solar cell performance and stability and to reduce manufacturing cost.
• Responsible for projects or functions that are highly complex, require significant innovation, and critical to department objectives.
• Plan, execute, and characterize development engineering experiments in the laboratory and manufacturing environment with strategic foresight. Success requires iterative planning and de‑risking over long periods.
• Applies statistical and engineering methods to optimize organizational effectiveness. Core leader within the group in one or more areas.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’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 III at First Solar.
• Master’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 III at First Solar.
• Ph.D. in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 10 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer III at First Solar.

Required Skills/Competencies

• Technical expert and innovator in one area of perovskite processes and/or equipment development.
• Deep understanding of process/equipment interactions with the ability to develop new solutions.
• In depth knowledge in several fields from the list of photovoltaic device theory, materials science, process engineering, characterization techniques and other fields relevant to First Solar's technology.
• Strong sense of project ownership with hands‑on and can‑do attitude.
• Strong communication skills across organizations with demonstrated ability to lead cross‑functional teams.

Essential Responsibilities

• Identify opportunities for improvement in perovskite solar cell efficiency, material selection, and process/equipment design through engineering, scientific, or empirical methods.
• Improve state‑of‑the‑art techniques for material analysis, statistical analysis of data, or execution planning of experiments. Develop a work plan that has unclear solution paths.
• 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. Demonstrated ability to lead cross‑functional efforts as needed.
• May train, mentor and manage junior and peers on specific subject matters. Specialist within the group.
• 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.

Reporting Relationships

• Reports to Development Manager.
• May have direct reports.

Travel

• 5% - 10%

Estimated Salary Range

• $99,600 - $140,000 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 each eye, 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).
• All associates working on the production floor may be required to wear a respirator at any given time and thus, the ability to wear a respirator is a condition of employment and continued employment (requires little or no facial hair).

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.