Engineer- Manufacturing III USA (1st Shift)

First Solar Inc.; Gaffney, Northern (SC, KY); Hybrid; USD 84,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

First Solar is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer II to provide technical leadership in solar module production. You will work with Development Engineering to design robust, manufacturable processes and implement new equipment to meet schedules, troubleshoot issues, and drive continuous improvements.

Education options include Bachelor's or advanced technical degrees with experience in manufacturing settings. Travel domestically and internationally may be required; a strong background in DOE, SPC,

Qualifications

• Provide technical leadership
• Apply robust engineering methods
• Strong problem-solving with DMAIC
• Excellent knowledge of manufacturing processes
• Strong FMEA experience
• Proficient in DOE
• Advanced SPC usage
• Proficient in statistical data analysis
• Metrology and measurement best practices
• Provide technical training and mentorship

Responsibilities

• Develop, improve, and document robust solar module manufacturing processes
• Lead teams through Continuous Improvement and structured problem solving
• Sustain entire process area
• Inject manufacturing requirements to new process development
• Design and execute planned process experiments and report results
• Lead task forces and communicate status to stakeholders
• Install, qualify, and maintain new equipment
• Champion Six Sigma and other methods for problem solving
• Mentor junior engineers and production staff
• Resolve day-to-day production, equipment, and process issues
• Develop process control and preventive maintenance plans
• Interface with internal and supplier teams
• Travel as required

Skills

Technical leadership

Robust Engineering

DMAIC

Manufacturing processes

FMEAs

DOE

SPC

Statistical data analysis

Metrology

Technical training

Communication

Electronics & mechanical knowledge

Education

Associate's Degree (technical)

Bachelor’s Degree (technical)

MS Degree (technical)

PhD Degree (technical)

Job description

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

Basic Job Functions:

Provide technical leadership within team. Work with Development Engineering to develop robust, manufacturable processes.Implement new processes to meet schedule, leading troubleshooting efforts as needed to meet project requirements.Define requirements, evaluate install and qualify new process equipment. Troubleshoot day-to-day manufacturing issues on the production line in a timely manner. Identify and implement continuous improvements that contribute to the achievement of throughput, yield and product performance goals.

Education/Experience:

• Associates Degree in a technical discipline with 2 years as First Solar Manufacturing Engineer II, or 5 Years Engineering experience in a manufacturing setting or 4 years Engineering and 6 years technical experience in a manufacturing setting or
• Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline with 2 years as First Solar Manufacturing Engineer II, or 5 years Engineering experience in a manufacturing setting, or 4 years Engineering and 3 years technical experience in a manufacturing setting or
• MS Degree in a technical discipline with 2 years as First Solar Manufacturing Engineer II or 4 years engineering experience in a manufacturing setting or
• PhD Degree in a technical discipline with 2 years as First Solar Manufacturing Engineer II or 3 years of experience in a manufacturing setting

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Provide technical leadership
• Demonstrated proficiency with applying Robust Engineering
• Excellent Structured Problem-Solving Method (such as DMAIC)
• Outstanding knowledge of manufacturing processes
• Outstanding skill in generating and maintaining FMEAs
• Demonstrated proficiency in applying DOE
• Outstanding skill in applying SPC to control and improve processes
• Outstanding skill with Statistical Data Analysis
• Outstanding skill in Metrology and measurement best practices
• Develop and provide technical training
• Ability to work with minimal supervision
• Excellent oral and written communications skills
• Proficient in maintaining and troubleshooting General Electronics
• Proficient in maintaining and troubleshooting General Mechanical Systems
• Preferred to have knowledge of deposition principles and vacuum fundamentals

Responsibilities:

• Responsible to develop, continually improve, and document robust solar module manufacturing processes to achieve the highest product performance in a cost-efficient manner
• Lead Teams through Continuous Improvement Activities and structured problem solving
• Capable of sustaining entire process area
• Inject manufacturing requirements to new process development by working with development team
• Design and execute planned process experiments, collect, and analyze data and report experimental results
• Leads task forces and communicates status updates to stakeholders
• Evaluate, Install and Qualify new equipment
• Champion continuous improvement activities using six-sigma and other statistical problem-solving methods
• Provide mentorship and project oversight to assist in the development of junior engineers
• Resolve day-to-day production, equipment, and process problems
• Identify training needs and develop and provide training to other engineers, engineering technicians, and production associates
• Develop Process Control Plans and Preventive Maintenance Plans
• 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
• Works with minimal supervision
• Adhere to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards
• Domestic and International travel as required
• Other duties as assigned
• Job description subject to change at any time

Reporting Relationships:

• This position may have direct reports

Travel:

• Domestic and International travel as required

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 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)

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.