Development Engineering Intern (Spring 2027)

First Solar, Inc.; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

First Solar offers an internship spanning January 4 to May 21, 2027, with flexibility to balance classes. Interns support fabrication of research-scale photovoltaic devices, assist in developing new processes and materials, and help characterize thin films.

The program emphasizes hands-on learning, safety compliance, and presenting a final project to leadership. Applicants should be undergraduate juniors pursuing STEM degrees, with basic MS Office skills, good communication, and attention to

Qualifications

• Undergraduate student in a STEM field, with emphasis on materials or chemistry.
• Must be pursuing a degree in related STEM fields and register internship with university.
• Familiarity with MS Office and basic troubleshooting; strong communication and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Support fabrication of research-scale photovoltaic devices and standard/non-standard processes.
• Assist development of novel processes and materials for thin-film PV devices.
• Support electrical and material characterization of thin films and PV devices.
• Present accomplishments and project summary to leadership after internship.

Skills

MS Office

Troubleshooting

Communication

Attention to detail

SOP compliance

Education

Junior year undergrad

STEM degree in Materials/Chemistry/Physics/EE/Chemical Eng

University internship registration encouraged

Tools

Vacuum equipment

Photovoltaic device fabrication/testing

Analytical instruments (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.

Job Overview:

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:

• January 4th to May 21st, 2027

• 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.

Experience:

• Competency in MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
• Basic troubleshooting skills, critical thinking, attention to detail, good communication skills, can follow SOP and work instructions
• Hands-on experience with wet chemistry processing preferred 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

Education:

• At least junior year enrollment in an undergraduate program required

• Must be pursuing a degree in Material Science, Chemistry, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related STEM field.

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

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Applies basic skills and may develop advanced skills using tools and equipment appropriate for the position or specialization.

• Duties and tasks may not be standardized. Resolves routine questions and problems and refers more complex issues to higher levels.

• Works under daily supervision and follows standard procedures and instructions to accomplish assigned tasks.

Basic Internship Scope (Project):

• Support operations for fabrication of research scale photovoltaic devices, including standard and non-standard processes

• Assist and contribute to the development of novel processes and materials for thin film photovoltaic devices

• Support the electrical and material characterization of thin films and photovoltaic devices

• Upon the completion of this internship, the intern is required to present their accomplishments and project summary to the leadership team.

Estimated Salary: $28.60 USD per hr. - $33.80 USD per hour

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 push or pull up to 27 pounds of force 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) and the ability to distinguish between red, yellow and green 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).

Project Site (non-craft) 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)

Office Physical Requirements:

All positions in our office require interaction with people and technology while either standing or sitting. In order 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 accommodations 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.