Engineer- Manufacturing II USA

First Solar, Inc.; Walbridge (OH); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

First Solar Inc. is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer I/II to install and qualify new process equipment, troubleshoot production line issues, and implement system improvements for throughput, yield, and product performance.

Education options include associate, bachelor, MS, or PhD in technical disciplines with relevant manufacturing experience. Strong data analysis, DOE, DMAIC, and documentation skills are required.

Qualifications

• Associate degree with 2 years manufacturing experience or 3 years engineering experience
• Bachelor's degree with 2 years experience as Manufacturing Engineer I or 3 years engineering experience
• MS degree with 2–4 years engineering experience in manufacturing
• PhD with 0–3 years engineering experience in manufacturing
• Demonstrated proficiency in statistical data analysis
• Excellent problem solving skills
• Proficiency in metrology and measurement practices
• Ability to write manufacturing documentation
• Knowledge of Design of Experiments
• Familiarity with Six Sigma / DMAIC
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes
• Experience generating and maintaining FMEAs
• Ability to train operators, technicians and new engineers
• Strong verbal and written communication
• Experience with automation and robotics is a plus

Responsibilities

• Develop, improve, and document robust solar module manufacturing processes
• Inject manufacturing requirements into new process development
• Design and run experiments to establish process windows
• Solve day-to-day production, equipment, and process problems
• Evaluate, install and qualify new equipment
• Plan and execute process experiments and analyze data
• Collect daily equipment and product performance data
• Collaborate with internal teams and suppliers on projects
• Maintain communication with production and manufacturing engineers
• Develop training for engineers and technicians
• Lead continuous improvement using six-sigma and statistical methods
• Mentor junior engineers and technicians
• Develop Process Control and Preventive Maintenance Plans
• Work with minimal supervision
• Follow safety procedures and maintain good housekeeping
• Travel domestically and internationally as required
• Create and enforce drawings, specs and SOPs
• Perform data collection related to equipment and product performance

Skills

Statistical data analysis

Problem solving

Metrology

Manufacturing documentation

Design of Experiments

DMAIC

Manufacturing processes

FMEAs

Training operators

Autonomy

Communication skills

Robotic systems

PLC automation

Education

Associate degree in a technical discipline

Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline

MS Degree in a technical discipline

PhD Degree in a technical discipline

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 and Experience:

• Associate degree in a technical discipline with 2 years experience as First Solar Manufacturing Engineer I or 3 years Engineering experience in a manufacturing setting, or 2 years Engineering experience and 6 years technical experience in a manufacturing setting or
• Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline with 2 years experience as First Solar Manfuacturing Enigneer I or 3 years Engineering experience in a manufacturing setting or 2 years Engineering experience and 3 years Technical experience in a manufacturing setting or
• MS Degree in a technical discipline with 2-4 years Engineering experience in a manufacturing setting or
• PhD Degree in a technical discipline with 0-3 years Engineering experience in a manufacturing setting

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated Proficiency in Statistical Data Analysis
• Excellent problem solving skills
• Demonstrated Proficiency Metrology and measurement best practices
• Demonstrated Proficiency in writing complete manufacturing documentation
• Understands and can apply Design of Experiments
• Structured Problem Solving Method (such as DMAIC)
• Demonstrated knowledge of manufacturing processes
• Demonstrated proficiency in generating and maintaining FMEAs
• Demonstrated capability to train operators, technicians, and new engineers
• Ability to work autonomously to achieve goals
• Excellent oral and written communications skills
• Continuous improvement of conveyance and robotic systems to maintain a steady flow of production.
• Knowledge of PLC automation and robot programming is a plus.

Desired Skills

• Knowledge of General Electronics
• Knowledge in General Mechanical Systems
• Knowledge in Robotic and Conveyor Systems
• Demonstrated proficiency with applying Robust Engineering principles to develop and implementing processes.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Develop, continuously improve, and document robust solar module manufacturing processes to achieve the highest product performance in a cost-efficient manner
• Inject manufacturing requirements to new process development by working with development team
• Design and execute experiments to establish manufacturing process window
• Responsible for solving day-to-day production, equipment, and process problems
• Evaluate, Install and Qualify new equipment
• Design and execute planned process experiments, collect and analyze data and report experimental results
• Responsible for data collection relating to daily equipment performance and associated product performance
• Responsible to interface with internal associates and supplier representatives as required to complete assigned projects
• Maintain effective communication with production associates and manufacturing engineers
• Set up new gauges and perform Gauge maintenance
• Develop and provide training to other engineers, engineering technicians, and production associates
• Champion continuous improvement activities using six-sigma and other statistical problem-solving methods
• Provide mentorship to Jr. engineers and Technicians
• Develop Process Control Plans and Preventive Maintenance Plans
• Works with minimal supervision
• Adhere to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards
• Domestic and International travel as required
• Develop and maintain drawings, process specifications, develop and enforce standard operating procedures
• Perform data collection relating to daily equipment performance and associated product performance

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)

Please note: 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, pre-employment drug screen, and any other test that may be required for the role.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

First Solar Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) 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.