Engineer- Manufacturing Technology Scaling III USA

First Solar; Kentucky; On-site; USD 84,200 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

First Solar, located in Kentucky, is seeking a Development Engineer II or Manufacturing Engineer II. This role involves working cross-functionally with various teams to scale new technology into high volume manufacturing. Candidates must hold an engineering degree and have significant experience or be able to demonstrate relevant technical expertise. The estimated salary range is between $84,200 to $120,000 annually, alongside responsibilities that incorporate continuous improvement and mentor junior staff.

Qualifications

• 12 years of relevant experience or 2 years as Development Engineer II or Manufacturing Engineer II at First Solar.
• Experience in Semiconductor or PV R&D or Mfg Setting.
• Hands-On experience in Equipment and Process troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

• Adhere to all safety procedures and improve EHS/Quality.
• Develop and qualify robust solar module manufacturing processes.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical training to operational teams.

Skills

Technical leadership

Thin film deposition

Problem-solving methods

Process documentation

Experience in semiconductor

Education

Ph.D. in engineering or similar discipline

Master’s Degree in engineering or similar discipline

Bachelor’s Degree in engineering or similar discipline

Associate’s Degree in engineering or similar discipline

Tools

SQL

Python

Power-BI

Job description

Overview

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

• Work cross-functionally with Development Engineering, Integrated Supply-Chain, Environmental-Health-Safety and Quality & Reliability teams to scale and qualify new technology into high volume manufacturing.
• Provide technical leadership across Photovoltaic Manufacturing Processes including design and development of process, equipment, and systems in a manufacturing setting.
• Define equipment and process requirements, refine vendor proposals, and lead the qualification of new process equipment through development and ramp to 24x7 manufacturing.
• Equipment and Process troubleshooting to meet and improve Safety, Throughput, Yield and Performance benchmarks.
• Use structured problem-solving (e.g., DMAIC, 8D) and statistical methods (DOE, SPC) to identify, test, and implement continuous improvements.
• Datamine and visualize process and equipment data using industry standard tools like SQL, Python, JMP, Power-BI; define and set-up visualization and data collection to enable process control.
• Author white papers for process and equipment changes per Change Management System needs.

Education/Experience

• Associate’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 12 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer II or Manufacturing 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 or Manufacturing 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 or Manufacturing 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 or Manufacturing Engineer II at First Solar.
• Prior experience in a Semiconductor or PV R&D or Mfg Setting in one or more of the following areas: Thin-Film Deposition (Magnetron Sputtering, CVD, evaporation) OR Thermal processing in semiconductor or glass industry (continuous or batch ovens) OR Wet Coatings (Slot-Die, Ink-Jet, Roller or Blade Coating), Automation (Robots and AGV Material Handling) OR Laser Processing (Scribing, Cleaning, Marking) OR Process/ Device Integration (Semiconductor or PV R&D or Mfg Setting).

Required Skills/Competencies

• Technical leadership in cross-functional and cross-site settings; ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Outstanding knowledge in two or more areas including thin film deposition (PVD, ALD, CVD), thermal processing, wet coatings (ink-jet, spray, roll-coating), laser-material interactions, solar or IC device fabrication, process and device integration, and metrology.
• Proficient with demonstrable experience in Process Maps, Process Documentation including Control Plans, Statistical Process Controls, FMEAs.
• Experienced in technology development concepts like Robust Engineering, Design of Experiments and Design for Manufacturability.
• Demonstrated Hands-On experience in Equipment and Process troubleshooting; excellent in structured methods for problem solving in a manufacturing environment.
• Specifying New Equipment for Manufacturing, and Vendor engagement through Design, Build and Qualification.
• Strong communication skills and ability to develop and deliver technical training and documentation.
• Prior experience in Manufacturing or Technology development teams within Semiconductor, Photovoltaic, Flat-Panel Display, Architectural Glass Coating, Battery or Chemical Processing Industries.

Essential Responsibilities

• Adhere to all safety procedures, protocols and contribute to EHS/Quality improvements.
• Develop, improve, qualify and document robust solar module manufacturing processes.
• Serve as a subject-matter expert for, and own, process or equipment sets assigned.
• Design and execute process experiments; analyze and present results.
• Work with equipment OEMs; evaluate, install, and qualify tools.
• Lead continuous improvement using Six Sigma methodologies.
• Mentor junior engineers and technicians and provide technical training to operational teams.
• Develop Process Control Plans, FMEAs, Work Instructions, and Troubleshooting Guides.
• Maintain effective cross-functional communication including leadership.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Job description subject to change at any time.

Reporting Relationships

• Manager or Sr. Manager, Manufacturing Technology Scaling.
• May have direct reports.

Travel

• 10% - 20%

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).
• 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).

Office Physical Requirements

All positions in our office require interaction with people and technology while either standing or sitting. To best service our customers, internal and external, all associates must be able to communicate face-to-face and on the phone with or without reasonable accommodation. First Solar is committed to compliance with its obligations under all applicable state and federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. In keeping with this commitment, it attempts to reasonably accommodate applicants and employees in accordance with the requirements of the disability discrimination laws. It also invites individuals with disabilities to participate in a good faith, interactive process to identify reasonable accommodations that can be made without imposing an undue hardship.

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.