Engineer- Development III - Polymer Chemistry

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

Job summary

First Solar, Inc. is seeking a development engineer to advance thin-film solar cell research, plan and execute experiments in both laboratory and manufacturing settings, and drive innovative approaches to improve performance and reduce cost.

The role requires deep expertise in PV materials and device physics, plus strong data analysis and collaboration across teams. Travel of 5–20% is expected, and advanced engineering credentials are preferred.

Qualifications

• Ph.D./Master's/Bachelor's/Associate's degrees in engineering or similar technical discipline with progressive experience.
• Experience with PV device theory, materials science, process engineering and characterization is required.
• Strong ownership, ability to work cross-functionally and communicate effectively.

Responsibilities

• Identify opportunities to improve solar cell efficiency and material/device design.
• Plan, execute and analyze experiments in lab and manufacturing environments.
• Mentor and train junior staff and peers on subject matters.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, quality and safety policies.

Skills

Technical expert in PV processes

Materials science

AI tools experience desirable

Strong communication

Data analysis software (JMP, Matlab, C

Education

Ph.D. in engineering

Master's in engineering

Bachelor's in engineering

Associate's in engineering

Tools

JMP

Matlab

C

Job description

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

Basic Job Functions:

• Perform material and device research to enhance thin film solar cell performance and stability and to reduce manufacturing cost.
• Responsible for projects or functions that are highly complex require significant innovation and critical to department objectives.
• Plan, execute and characterize development engineering experiments in the laboratory and manufacturing environment with strategic foresight. Drives actions with strategic foresight.
• Applies statistical and engineering methods to optimize organizational effectiveness. Improves 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 of photovoltaic processes and/or equipment development.
• Technical Expert in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Polymer/Materials Formulation Development, Polymer Process Engineering.
• Expertise in application development and integration of materials into high performance electronic, optoelectronic, optical, MEMS, and MOEMs.
  • Expertise with materials integration into PV devices a plus.
• 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 written and verbal communication skills across organizations.
• Competence with Microsoft Office Products; Mathematical / Data analysis software (JMP, Matlab, C).
• Experience with applying AI tools and platforms to improve productivity is desirable

Essential Responsibilities:

• 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 have 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.
• 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 Senior Member - Technical Staff.
• May have direct reports.

Travel:

• 5- 20% Must be capable of both domestic and international travel

Estimated Salary Range:

• $84,200 - $120,000 annually

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 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.