Engineer- Manufacturing I USA (Finishing)

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

Job summary

First Solar Inc. in Perrysburg, OH is seeking an Engineer- Manufacturing I (Finishing) to install and qualify new process equipment, troubleshoot day-to-day line issues, and drive improvements to throughput, yield and product performance.

The role supports development and execution of DOE, SPC and DMAIC initiatives, requires data analysis skills and effective technical communication. Travel is 0–5% with reporting to Manufacturing Engineering – Deposition.

Qualifications

• Associate degree plus 3+ years First Solar experience or 6+ years in manufacturing.
• Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD in engineering with no experience required.
• 3+ years’ experience as a First Solar Maintenance Technician III / MET III / EPT III or Equipment Coordinator III or Journeyman certification with 5+ years in industry
• Understands and can apply Statistical Data Analysis
• Understands metrology and measurement best practices
• Good oral and written communications skills
• Ability to write manufacturing documentation
• Understands and can apply DOE
• Understands and can apply Statistical Process Control (SPC)
• Understands and can apply DMAIC
• Ability to work with minimal supervision
• General Electrical / Electronics
• General Mechanical
• Responsible for solving day-to-day production, equipment, and process problems
• Install and Qualify new equipment
• 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

Responsibilities

• Install and qualify new process equipment.
• Troubleshoot day-to-day manufacturing issues on the production line.
• Identify and implement system improvements to improve throughput, yield and product performance.
• Design and execute process experiments, collect and analyze data, report results.
• Develop and maintain drawings and process specifications.
• Maintain and improve standard operating procedures and control plans.
• Provide training to technicians and production staff.
• Interface with internal and supplier personnel to complete projects.

Skills

Data analysis

Metrology

DOE

SPC

DMAIC

Electrical

Mechanical

Documentation

Troubleshooting

Communication

Education

Associate’s degree in engineering

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Job description

Engineer- Manufacturing I USA (Finishing)

Perrysburg, OH, United States

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 process 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.
• Understands and can apply Statistical Data Analysis
• Understands metrology and measurement best practices
• Good oral and written communications skills.
• Ability to write manufacturing documentation
• 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
• Responsible for solving day-to-day production, equipment, and process problems
• Install and Qualify new equipment
• 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

Domestic and International travel as required

Prior experience in the areas of thin-film deposition processes (Magnetron Sputtering, CVD, evaporation) OR thermal processing in semiconductor or glass industry (continuous or batch ovens) is highly desirable.

Reporting Relationships:

Reports to Manager, Manufacturing Engineering – Deposition

Travel:

0-5%

Estimated Salary Range:

$68,800.00-$98,000.00

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.

Job Info

• Job Identification 1025973
• Job Category Plant MFG Engineering
• Posting Date 09/30/2026, 06:30 PM
• Locations 28380 Tracy Road, Walbridge, OH, 43465, US
• Apply Before 10/02/2026, 04:00 PM
• Job Schedule Full time
• Work Schedule M-F 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM(United States of America)