Development Engineering Intern (Fall 2026)

First Solar, Inc.; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 38,572 - 42,705; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Class enrollment flexibility

Hands-on internship experience

Job summary

First Solar seeks motivated chemistry/engineering interns to work on cutting-edge PV materials. You will develop novel perovskite chemistries and engineer hole transport layers to improve device performance and durability.

Responsibilities include characterizing thin films, presenting findings to leadership, and collaborating across R&D, marketing, and manufacturing. The internship runs Aug 31, 2026 to Nov 30, 2026 with flexibility for class schedules.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate student in a relevant field and on track to graduate.
• Pursuing Chemical Engineering or Chemistry with interest in wet chemistry.
• Ability to register internship with your university.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• Strong critical thinking and effective communication skills.
• Ability to follow SOPs and work instructions; basic troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

• Develop novel perovskite chemistries to enhance device efficiency and stability.
• Engineer HTLs to mitigate interfacial degradation for durable devices.
• Perform electrical, optical, and materials characterization of thin films and devices.
• Present key achievements and learnings to leadership at internship end.

Skills

Foundational skills

Attention to detail

Effective communication

SOP adherence

Education

Undergraduate student, junior year

Pursuing Chemical Engineering or Chemistry

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Vacuum equipment

Lab equipment for materials characterization

Analytical tools (UV-Vis, AFM, SEM, SIMS, XRD, XRR, ellipsometry)

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, At First Solar, interns play a vital role in shaping the future of sustainable energy. Opportunities are available across various departments including research and development, marketing, project development, information technology, engineering, and energy services. Interns gain hands‑on, real‑world experience and are challenged daily to solve meaningful problems. You'll have the chance to explore innovative solutions, develop new skills, and contribute to impactful projects that align with our mission. First Solar fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation, encouraging team members to take smart risks, learn from setbacks, and continuously improve. Interns are expected to take ownership of their work and demonstrate accountability while working toward a cleaner energy future.

Expected Length of Internship:

• August 31, 2026 to Nov 30, 2026

• As an internship company, we allow flexibility to enroll in classes while working as an intern, if it doesn't interfere with the essential functions of the position.

Education/Experience:

• At least junior year enrollment in an undergraduate program required

• Must be pursuing a degree in Chemical Engineering/ Chemistry.

• First Solar encourages all interns to register their internship with their university.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)

• Strong critical thinking and attention to detail and effective communication skills

• Ability to follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and work instructions and b basic troubleshooting skills

• Hands‑on experience with wet chemistry processing preferred but not mandatory

• Hands‑on experience with Lab experience in materials characterization, device fabrication, or testing but not mandatory

• Hands‑on experience with vacuum equipment preferred but not mandatory

• Hands‑on experience in photovoltaic device fabrication/testing preferred but not mandatory

• Working knowledge of analytical tools (UV-Vis, AFM, SEM, SIMS, XRD, XRR, ellipsometry) preferred but not mandatory

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Apply foundational skills and progressively develop advanced competencies using tools and equipment relevant to the role or area of specialization.

• Perform tasks that may vary day‑to‑day and are not always standardized; resolve routine issues independently and elevate more complex problems to senior team members.

• Operate under daily supervision, adhering to established procedures and instructions to complete assigned duties effectively.

Basic Internship Scope (Project):

• Develop novel perovskite chemistries to enhance photovoltaic device efficiency, stability, and reproducibility.

• Engineer advanced hole transport layers (HTLs) to mitigate interfacial degradation and enable durable device performance.

• Perform electrical, optical, and materials characterization of thin films and devices to generate insights that drive performance improvements.

• Present key achievements, technical learnings, and project impact to the leadership team at the conclusion of the internship.

Estimated Hourly Range:

• $27.50-$31.25/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.

All positions in our office require interaction with people and technology while either standing or sitting. To best service our customers, internal and external, all associates must be able to communicate face‑to‑face and on the phone with or without reasonable accommodation. First Solar is committed to compliance with its obligations under all applicable state and federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. In keeping with this commitment, it attempts to reasonably accommodate applicants and employees in accordance with the requirements of the disability discrimination laws. It also invites individuals with disabilities to participate in a good faith, interactive process to identify reasonable accommodation that can be made without imposing an undue hardship.

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.