Engineer- Development III-(Computer-Aided Analysis,Thermal)

First Solar Inc.; Perrysburg (OH); On-site; USD 84,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

First Solar Inc. in Perrysburg, OH is seeking a development engineer focused on thermal analysis, CFD/CAE, and process optimization to enhance thin-film solar cell performance and reduce costs.

This role emphasizes hands-on experimentation in lab and manufacturing environments, with serial innovation and ownership of complex projects critical to department goals. The position requires advanced degrees with substantial relevant experience, strong programming and data-analysis skills, and the

Qualifications

• Education/experience requirements include multiple degree levels with significant years of relevant experience or internal First Solar experience.
• Strong background in transport phenomena, chemical reaction engineering, and materials engineering is preferred.
• Experience with statistical software and numeric analyses in industrial projects is required or highly desirable.
• Hands-on laboratory or manufacturing environment experience with effective cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Identify opportunities to improve solar cell efficiency, material selection, and process/equipment design focusing on thermal systems.
• Advance computer-aided analysis techniques and statistical methods for data analysis and experiment planning.
• Define and evaluate thermal tool specifications and related material requirements for performance gains.
• Communicate effectively with internal and external partners and support cross-functional projects.
• May mentor and train junior staff on subject matter expertise.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, quality, safety policies and contribute to process improvements.
• Other duties as assigned and adapt to changing job description.

Skills

Programming experience

AI-assisted coding

Statistical analysis

Thermal analysis

Gas flow analysis

Lab/manufacturing experience

Project ownership

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Master's degree in engineering or related field

Ph.D. in engineering or related field

Associate’s degree in engineering or related field

Tools

CFD software

CAD software

Meshing tools

Post-processing software

JMP

Job description

Description

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

Basic Job Functions:

• Perform computer-aided analyses of materials, tools, and processes to enhance thin film solar cell performance and stability and to reduce manufacturing cost.
• Responsible for projects or functions that are complex, require significant innovation, and are critical to department objectives.
• Plan, execute and characterize development engineering experiments in the laboratory and manufacturing environment with strategic foresight. Drive actions with strategic foresight.
• Apply statistical and engineering methods to optimize organizational effectiveness. Improve methods for use by others.

Education/Experience:

• Associate’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 20 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer II at First Solar.
• Bachelor’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 II at First Solar.
• Master’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 8 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer II at First Solar.
• Ph.D. in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 5 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer II at First Solar.

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Technical expert and innovator in one area computer-aided analysis (thermal, multi-species gas flow, and chemical reaction preferred); experience on photovoltaic processes and/or equipment development is a plus.
• In-depth knowledge of process engineering, with special emphasis on transport phenomena, as well as chemical reaction engineering. Expertise in materials engineering and photovoltaic device theory is a plus.
• Working knowledge of CFD, CAD, meshing, and post-processing software. Programming experience is required, especially for implementation of numerical analyses of industrial applications. Experience with AI-assisted coding is highly desirable.
• Working knowledge of statistical software and its applications (JMP preferred) is highly desirable.
• Firsthand expertise in laboratory or manufacturing environments.
• Keen sense of project ownership, with a hands-on, can-do attitude.
• Effective communication skills across organizations.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Identify and grasp opportunities for improvement in solar cell efficiency, material selection, and process/equipment design through engineering, scientific, or empirical methods. The core focus is on thermal equipment and processes where heat transfer by radiation, convection, and conduction are all playing a role, as well as gas flow and chemical reactions in the gas and solid phases.
• Improve state-of-the-art techniques and applications for computer-aided analysis, statistical analysis of data, or execution planning of experiments. Develop work plans even when there are unclear solution paths.
• Will be responsible to determine and evaluate thermal tool/equipment specifications. May be responsible to determine and evaluate material specification for improved performance.
• 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.
• Comply with Company's Environmental, Quality, Safety or any other policies that have been enforced.Contributes to continuous improvement of said policies.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Job description subject to change at any time.

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports to Development Manager.
• May have direct reports.

Travel:

• 5% - 10%

Estimated Salary Range:

• $84,200 - $120,000 annually

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.

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.