Engineer- Development II (Reliability Physics)

First Solar, Inc.; Perrysburg (OH); On-site; USD 80,700 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

First Solar, Inc. is seeking a development engineer to build predictive models of photovoltaic processes and device performance. You will parametrize experiments, verify models, and translate results into improvements in device architecture and fabrication.

The role emphasizes collaboration with manufacturing and R&D teams to drive reliability and efficiency in solar modules. The position involves travel, working in a lab/manufacturing environment, and mentoring junior staff.

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree plus 15 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years as Development Engineer I at First Solar.
• Bachelor's Degree plus 5 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years as Development Engineer I at First Solar.
• Master's Degree plus 3 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years as Development Engineer I at First Solar.
• Ph.D. in engineering with no prior technical work experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop, parametrize, and verify models that quantitatively describe defect chemistry and mass transport in the semiconductor stack during fabrication and field operation.
• Assess durability of device design and packaging against moisture ingress, electro-chemical corrosion, and abnormal operating conditions.
• Use developed models to optimize device architecture and fabrication process for PV module performance and reliability.
• Provide data-driven recommendations to management on specific changes to improve device performance and reliability.
• Identify opportunities for improvement in solar cell efficiency, material selection and process/equipment design.
• May train, mentor and manage junior and peers on specific subject matters.

Skills

PV device theory

Materials science

Process engineering

Lab/manufacturing experience

Project ownership

Cross-functional communication

Data analysis

Quality/experimental design

Modeling

Education

Associate's Degree in engineering/technical field

Bachelor's Degree in engineering/technical field

Master's Degree in engineering/technical field

Ph.D. in engineering/technical field

Tools

MATLAB

Python

C++

JMP

Job description

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

Basic Job Functions

• Develop predictive physical and physics-inspired phenomenological models to study and improve fabrication processes, performance, and stability of new device technologies. Design experiments to parametrize developed models and verify their accuracy and dependability.

Education and Experience

• Associate'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 I 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 I at First Solar.
• Master'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 I at First Solar.
• Ph.D. in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline, without prior technical work experience.

Skills and Competencies

• Technical expert and innovator in one area of photovoltaic processes and/or equipment development.
• Expert and hands on experience in laboratory or manufacturing environment.
• 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.
• Knowledge of Microsoft suite of applications.
• Knowledge of JMP or other statistical analysis tools.
• Knowledge of MATLAB.
• Knowledge of Python and/or C++.

Essential Responsibilities

• Develop, parametrize, and verify models that
  • Quantitatively describe defect chemistry and mass transport in semiconductor stack during fabrication and field operation, as well as resulting device performance
    • Assess durability of device design and packaging in terms of its resistance to moisture ingress, electro‑chemical corrosion, and abnormal operating conditions.
• Use developed models to optimize device architecture and fabrication process in terms of performance and reliability of PV module
  • Provide data‑driven recommendations to management on specific changes to improve device performance and reliability.
• Identify opportunities for improvement in 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. Effective team members that can support cross‑functional projects and take ownership of sub‑deliverables.
• May train, mentor and manage junior and peers on specific subject matters.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Job description subject to change at any time.

Relationships

• This position reports to the Senior Manager of Reliability Physics.
• This position has no direct reports.

Travel

5% - 10% travel required.

Estimated Salary Range

$80,700 - $115,000

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).

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.