Development Engineer Technician III

First Solar; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 54,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

First Solar in Santa Clara, CA is seeking an experienced equipment technician to support R&D tool installation, troubleshooting, maintenance, and process improvement on a day-to-day basis.

The role requires strong electrical/mechanical knowledge, hands-on troubleshooting, and the ability to work with minimal supervision. The position includes weekend on-call rotations and OT as needed for tool support.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with 14 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years as Development Engineer Technician II at First Solar.
• Associate’s Degree in engineering or similar with 10 years of relevant experience or 2 years as DET II at First Solar.
• Bachelor’s Degree in engineering or similar with 5 years of relevant experience or 2 years as DET II at First Solar.
• Strongly preferred: >4 years as mechanical or electrical technician; experience with vacuum deposition tools or robotic automation; uptime support experience on production lines.

Responsibilities

• Solves day-to-day production, equipment, and process problems.
• Performs on-site service and repair of equipment.
• Implements throughput, uptime, yield, and product performance improvements.
• Sets up gauges, flow meters, and auxiliary equipment.
• Maintains safety procedures and housekeeping standards.
• Takes part in weekend on-call rotation for tool support.

Skills

Safety mindset

Electrical & mechanical knowledge

Troubleshooting skills

Windows apps (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Self-directed

Clear communication

Shift flexibility

Education

High school diploma

Associate’s degree in engineering

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

Vacuum deposition tools (PVD)

Robotic automation systems

PLC/HMI diagnostics

Allen-Bradley/Siemens/Beckhoff PLCs

Job description

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

Basic Job Functions:

• Assists in the installation and qualification of RnD equipment.
• Troubleshoots day-to-day RnD process and equipment issues.
• Performs, as directed, all necessary maintenance and repair of the equipment in a timely and cost-efficient manner.
• Identifies and/or implements system improvements that contribute to the achievement of throughput, yield and product performance goals.
• Leads the training/upskilling of peer associates and technicians.

Education/Experience:

• High School Diploma or equivalent and 14 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer Technician II at First Solar.
• Associate’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 Technician II at First Solar.
• Bachelor’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 5 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer Technician II at First Solar
• The following strongly preferred:
• Extensive experience (>4 years) as a mechanical or electrical technician as a primary job function
• Extensive experience (>4 years) working on vacuum deposition tools (PVD, ALD), or (robotic based) automation system
• Experience supporting a high-uptime production line, including off-shift or shift-based coverage.

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Safety first mindset.
• Extensive verifiable electrical/electronic and mechanical knowledge.
• Extensive verifiable hands-on troubleshooting/repair skills.
• Competency in maintaining and repairing one or more of the following process equipment toolsets strongly preferred: Vacuum Deposition, Wet Deposition/Etching/Cleaning, Thermal treatment, Robotic Based Automation Systems
• Self-directed, able to work with minimal supervision.
• Good written and oral communications skills.
• Able to troubleshoot and solve equipment and process issues on RnD line.
• Able to deal with administrative as well as technical tasks.
• Working knowledge of common Windows computer applications (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Able to identify recurring issues and develop/communicate improvement recommendations.
• Willing and able to work the assigned shift, including schedule adjustments based on business needs, and to participate in the equipment team's weekend on-call rotation for emergency tool support.
• The following are considered a plus:
• Hands-on experience maintaining process or production equipment, including robotic handlers, conveyors, servo drives, sensors, and machine vision.
• Able to read and troubleshoot from electrical schematics, P&IDs, and pneumatic or vacuum diagrams; working familiarity with PLC and HMI diagnostics (for example Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or Beckhoff).
• Prior qualification in Lockout/Tagout, electrical safety (NFPA 70E), and chemical handling.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Job description subject to change at any time.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Solves day-to-day production, equipment, and process problems.
• Performs on-site service and repair of equipment.
• Identifies and implements throughput, uptime, yield and product performance improvements.
• Accomplishes daily assignments as scheduled and as directed.
• Develops methods to assign causes to yield excursions.
• Sets up and maintains gauges, flow meters, auxiliary equipment such as gas purifiers, chillers and pumps
• Ensures all processes are running on target as defined by the Process Control Plan.
• Responds to SPC process control alarms, bringing processes back into control.
• Collects data relating to daily tool performance and associated product performance.
• Transitions new equipment and processes through start-up, qualification, and implementation
• May assist in orienting, mentoring, and training other employees.
• Interfaces with internal associates and supplier representatives, as required, to complete assigned projects.
• Develops a complete understanding of processes, equipment, and support systems.
• Maintains effective communication with all team members
• Adheres to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards.
• Performs preventive and corrective maintenance on assigned toolsets, including mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, vacuum, and safety interlock systems.
• Troubleshoots equipment control faults using electrical schematics, ladder logic, and sequence-of-operation documentation to isolate root cause.
• Maintains preventive maintenance schedules, spare parts readiness, and equipment logbooks for assigned toolsets.
• Provides equipment coverage during assigned shift hours and weekend on-call, escalating to process and equipment engineering when required, and documents events for day-team follow-up.
• Works the assigned shift, 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Pacific Time, at the California Technology Center (CTC) in Santa Clara, CA; shift hours are subject to change based on business needs.
• Participates in the equipment team's weekend on-call rotation, providing tool support when emergencies arise.
• Supports overtime and additional coverage as required for tool installations, planned maintenance windows, and unplanned equipment downtime, and completes a written handoff to the incoming team at the end of each shift.

Reporting Relationships:

• This position will not have direct reports.

Travel:

• Travel for training and equipment start‑up support at vendor or other corporate facilities may be required (up to 10% international and domestic)

Estimated Salary Range:

• 39.06 USD/hr.- 59.78 USD per hr.

US Physical Requirements:

• Will sit, stand, or walk short distances for up to 12 hours per day.
• Will climb stairs on a frequent basis.
• Will lift up to 58 pounds on an occasional basis, according to work instruction.
• Will lift up to 37 pounds on a frequent basis.
• Will push or pull up to 27 pounds of force on an occasional basis.
• Will push or pull up to 10 pounds of force on a frequent basis.
• Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects repetitively on a frequent basis.
• 20/40 vision in each eye (with or without correction) and the ability to distinguish between red, yellow, and green is required.
• May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis.
• May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis.
• Must be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures.
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment is required (including, but not limited to; steel toed shoes, cut resistant gloves, jackets, aprons &/or arm guards, safety glasses, hearing protection).

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.