Development Engineer Technician II (2nd Shift: S-T 12:00 PM - 8:30 PM)

First Solar; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

First Solar in Santa Clara, CA seeks a Development Engineer Technician to support wet-process tests in the lab and production environments on a 2nd shift (Sunday–Thursday). You will interpret engineering instructions into concrete actions and analyze test results to drive improvements.

Responsibilities include troubleshooting tool and process issues, maintaining SOPs, and cross-training team members. Prior experience with wet coatings and PV materials is highly valued.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with 10 years technical experience or 2 years as Development Engineer Technician I at First Solar.
• Associate’s Degree in engineering or similar with 3 years of relevant experience or 2 years as Development Engineer Technician I at First Solar.
• Bachelor’s Degree in engineering with no prior work experience.

Responsibilities

• Supports DE tests in lab and production environments.
• Interpret engineering instructions into actionable test outcomes.
• Troubleshoot tool/process issues and suggest improvements to meet performance goals.
• Compile and analyze test data from performed testing.
• Perform wet process operations (spin coating, spray coating, slot die, etc.).
• Create and maintain SOPs and cross-train crew.

Skills

Test data analysis

Troubleshooting

Lab & production work

MS Office

JMP/SQL (nice to have)

Experiment execution

Communication to all levels

Wet coatings experience

Perovskite PV knowledge

Flexible movement across nodes

Education

High School Diploma / 10 yrs exp

Associate’s Degree in engineering or similar

Bachelor’s Degree in engineering

2 yrs as Development Engineer Technician I

Tools

MS Office

JMP/SQL

Slot Die equipment

Spray Coater

Industrial Inkjet Print

Spin Coating

Job description

Job Description

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

Basic Job Functions

• Support DE tests in a lab environment.
• Use understanding of engineering & tech skills to interpret instructions into actions and experimental outcomes.
• May assist in troubleshooting tool/process issues and suggest system improvements to achieve performance goals.
• May compile and analyze test data from performed testing.
• This is a 2nd shift role on a Sunday through Thursday schedule.
• Wet process support for DE and site operation: hands-on execution of general wet processes, such as spin coating, spray coating, slot die, etc., for various critical coatings; own SOP creation and maintenance; cross-train the rest of the crew; troubleshoot operation, process and equipment issues; ensure quality of the node; and drive continuous improvement in collaboration with the engineering team.

Education/Experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent and 10 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer Technician I at First Solar.
• Associate’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 Technician I at First Solar.
• Bachelor’s Degree in engineering discipline or similar technical discipline, without prior technical work experience.

Required Skills/Competencies

• Ability to perform sample testing, semiconductor device fabrication and/or electrical or optical measurements.
• Ability to troubleshoot basic to moderate process and equipment issues on the production line or in the lab.
• Intermediate knowledge in MS Office is a must; some knowledge of JMP/SQL a plus.
• Expert in execution of experiments in lab or floor. May train others.
• Ability to communicate on a regular basis with all levels of associates.
• Prior experience in wet coatings in one or more of these categories (spin coat, spray coat, slot die, industrial inkjet print, ink mixing, cleaning) is a must.
• Prior experience serving complex wet coating equipment (such as a Slot Die, Spray coater, Industrial Inkjet Print) a strong plus.
• Prior experience working on ink mixing processing (including dry/wet mixing and ink quality control) a strong plus.
• Prior experience working on Perovskite PV material system a plus
• Ability to support multiple wet process nodes and to move flexibly between coating platforms as development priorities change.

Essential Responsibilities

• Applies some technical skills to the position. May adapt procedures, processes, tools, equipment, and techniques to meet the more complex requirements of the position.
• Duties and tasks are frequently non-routine. Able to resolve many questions and problems independently.
• Has ownership within his/her functional group of a particular operational process or equipment. Oversee maintenance and trains others in this process.
• Plan, coordinate and execute engineering tests in the laboratory, including coordination across team boundaries.
• Work under minimal supervision.
• Comply 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.
• Job assignments and shifts may change depending on job needs.

Reporting Relationships

• Reports to Development Engineer. Receives daily operational direction from the Development Engineering Operations supervision team.

Travel

• Up to 10% domestic

Estimated Salary Range

• 30.38 USD per hr.- 42.97 USD per hr.

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 27 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.