Engineer- Manufacturing I USA

First Solar Inc.; Perrysburg (IN); On-site; USD 69,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

First Solar Inc. is seeking a skilled engineer to install and qualify new processing equipment, troubleshoot production-line issues, and implement system improvements to boost throughput, yield, and product performance.

The role emphasizes data analysis, metrology practices, and strong documentation skills in a manufacturing environment. Candidates should have a technical engineering background with a mix of academic degrees or extensive manufacturing experience; travel both domestically and

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree in an engineering or similar technical discipline with 3+ years of First Solar technical experience, or 6+ years of technical work experience in manufacturing.
• Bachelor’s/Master’s/Ph.D. in an engineering or similar technical discipline with no experience required; experience preferred.
• Certifications or experience can substitute degree requirements if accompanied by mentoring and data analysis skills.

Responsibilities

• Solve day-to-day production, equipment, and process problems.
• Install and qualify new equipment.
• Design and execute planned process experiments, collect data, and report results.
• Collect data on daily equipment and product performance.
• Maintain communication with production teams and engineers.
• Develop training for technicians and operators.
• Identify yield and product performance improvements.
• Maintain process control plans and drawings.

Skills

Statistical analysis

Problem solving

Metrology

Communication

Documentation

Wet chemistry

Education

Associate’s degree in engineering or technical discipline

Bachelor’s/Master’s/Ph.D. in engineering or technical discipline

Journeyman certification (Machinist or Electrician) + 5+ years experience

10+ years experience as a technician/specialist

Job description

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

Basic Job Functions:

• Install and qualify new processing equipment. Troubleshoot day-to-day manufacturing issues on the production line in a timely manner. These include tool down issues, yield, quality issues and identify actions to prevent repeat issues. Identify and/or implement system improvements that contribute to the achievement of throughput, yield and product performance goals.

Education/Experience:

Candidates must meet one of the following criteria to qualify:

• Associate’s Degree in an engineering or similar technical discipline combined with

• 3 or more years of First Solar technical experience, or

• 6 or more years of technical work experience in a Manufacturing setting.

• Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, or Ph.D. in an engineering or similar technical discipline with no experience required. Technical work experience in combination with a degree is preferred.

• The following certifications and experience can be used in lieu of the above degree requirements. In each case the candidate must demonstrate skills and experience in peer training/mentorship and basic data analysis

• 3 or more years’ experience as a First Solar Maintenance Technician III, MET III, EPT III or Equipment Coordinator III or

• Journeyman certification in a relevant technical discipline such as Machinist or Electrician combined with 5 or more years industry experience at Journeyman level or

• 10 or more years’ experience as a highly skilled technician/specialist in a relevant discipline. Industry-recognized certification strongly preferred.

• .

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Understands and can apply Statistical Data Analysis

• Good problem solving skills.

• Understands metrology and measurement best practices.

• Good oral and written communications skills.

• Ability to write manufacturing documentation.

• Wet chemistry process experience required.

Desired Skills:

• Understands and can apply DOE.

• Understands and can apply Statistical Process Control (SPC).

• Understands and can apply structured problem solving (such as DMAIC).

• Ability to work with minimal supervision.

• General Electrical / Electronics

• General Mechanical

Essential Responsibilities:

• Responsible for solving day-to-day production, equipment, and process problems.

• Install and qualify new equipment

• Maintain Gauges Page 2 of 2 First Solar Proprietary & Confidential - General

• Design and execute planned process experiments, collect and analyze data and report experimental results.

• Perform data collection relating to daily equipment performance and associated product performance.

• Interface with internal associates and supplier representatives as required to complete assigned projects.

• Maintain effective communication with production associates and manufacturing engineers.

• Develop and provide training to engineering technicians, and production associates.

• Identify and implement yield and product performance improvements.

• Develop and maintain drawings, process specifications, develop and enforce standard operating procedures.

• Develop and maintain process control plans.

• Adhere to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards • Previous heat treatment/thermal process experience.

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports to Manager, Manufacturing Engineering – Submodule

Travel:

• Domestic and international travel as required.

Estimated Salary Range:

• $68,800-$98,000

US Physical Requirements:

Manufacturing & Maintenance Physical Requirements:

• Will sit, stand or walk short distances for up to 12 hours per day.

• Will climb stairs on an occasional basis.

• Will exert up to 50 pounds of force to lift, push or pull on a seldom basis.

• Will lift, push or pull up to 27 pounds on a frequent basis.

• Will lift up to 51 pounds on an occasional basis, according to work instructions.

• Will lift up to 37 pounds on a frequent basis.

• Will push or pull up to 27 pounds of force on an occasional basis.

• Will push or pull up to 10 pounds of force on a frequent basis.

• Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects repetitively 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).
  

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 band 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.