Engineer- Operations I USA

First Solar; New Iberia (LA); On-site; USD 56,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

First Solar is looking for a manufacturing operations professional to coordinate, schedule and prioritize solar module production across multiple crews and support functions. You will analyze diverse data sources to implement improvements that boost factory performance while supporting employee health, safety and retention.

The role emphasizes a safety-first mindset, teamwork and strong problem-solving and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Associate degree plus 6 years manufacturing experience or 3 years First Solar experience.
• Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD in eng or business with no experience required.
• Technical work experience in combination with a degree is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Adhere to safety procedures and 5S standards.
• Convert strategy into actionable daily/weekly/monthly plan (P90).
• Coordinate and prioritize production activities across crews and support departments.
• Lead plant operations to closure with owners; assign headcount and WIP.
• Contribute to safety, quality and operational improvements.
• Content expert for semiconductor or module operations.
• Drive tool utilization and cycle-time improvement projects.
• Drive coater pitstop, HPVD & Metallizer target changes; scrap management.
• Meet Operational Efficiency targets vs Machine Availability.
• Resolve issues via root-cause analysis with cross-functional teams.
• Review and approve area work instructions for viability.
• Provide training lesson plans for workforce development.

Skills

Safety mindset

Teamwork

Problem solving

Communication

Electrical systems

Mechanical systems

Office suite

Data mining

Production control

Materials planning

Training & development

Org & planning

Continuous improvement

Education

Associate degree in eng/biz

Bachelor/Master/PhD in eng/biz (no exp)

Tech work with degree

Job description

Job Description

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

Basic Job Functions

Coordinate, schedule and prioritize solar module manufacturing operations for semiconductor or module manufacturing areas. Utilize a broad spectrum of data sources to identify and implement improvements to manufacturing operations resulting in positive impact to factory performance metrics and employee health, satisfaction and retention.

Education and Experience

• Associate degree in a business or engineering discipline combined with 6 years of technical work experience in a manufacturing setting or 3 years of First Solar technical experience.
• Bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D. in a business or engineering discipline with no experience required.
• Technical work experience in combination with a degree is preferred.

Required Skills/Competencies

• Safety First mindset.
• Must be able to work in a team environment.
• Strong problem solving and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Knowledge of electrical, mechanical, or chemical systems preferred.
• Basic mechanical troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook).
• Proficient in data mining/reporting platforms such as Report Manager, Pro Clarity and JMP.
• Understanding of production control systems, equipment run‑rate, Theory of Constraints, WIP management and floor layout interaction.
• Understanding of direct and indirect material list, consumption POR, replenishment, storage and tracking system.
• Proven ability to train and develop associates.
• Excellent organizational and planning skills.
• Experience and working knowledge of continuous improvement tools.

Essential Responsibilities

• Adhere to all safety procedures and 5S standards.
• Ability to take strategy and convert into actionable deliverables to meet daily, weekly and monthly P90.
• Actively communicate with shift managers and cross‑functional section managers to achieve operations objectives.
• Coordinate, schedule and prioritize production‑related activities, personnel, projects, planning and other functions within various crews and support departments.
• Lead and drive plant operations action items to closure with functional owners to remove constraints for 24x7 operations. Provide assessment for operation recovery and assignment of headcount, WIP.
• Contribute to continuous improvement in safety, quality and operations.
• Content expert and point of contact for semiconductor or module operations.
• Coordinate and drive respective area tools utilisation, availability or cycle‑time improvement projects or related issues with regards to semiconductor or module operations such as headcount planning and development, material allocation, upgrade activities, ETA execution and yield improvement.
• Drive and own coater pitstop, HPVD & Metallizer target change, working scrap management or module palletising execution consistency and quality across 4 crews.
• Drive manufacturing execution team and support groups to meet desired Operational Efficiency (OE = MU/MA) target versus Machine Availability (MA).
• Effectively utilise support teams to find root cause and resolve issue to improve safety, quality and throughput.
• Review and approve respective area work instructions to ensure manufacturing viability.
• Provide technical support to operations workforce development team to create training lesson plans for semiconductor or module operations area.
• Train and guide semiconductor or module supervisors and technicians to improve their technical competencies.

Reporting Relationships

• No direct reports.

Estimated Salary Range

• $56,100–$80,000

Travel

• Up to 10% annually.

US Physical Requirements

• Will sit, stand or walk short distances for up to 12 hours per day.
• Will climb stairs on an occasional basis.
• Will lift up to 58 pounds on an occasional basis, according to work instruction.
• 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) and the ability to distinguish between red, yellow and green is required.
• May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis.
• May stoop, kneel, or bend on an occasional basis.
• Must be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures.
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment is required (including but not limited to steel‑toed shoes, cut‑resistant gloves, jackets, aprons &/or arm guards, safety glasses, hearing protection).
• 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 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.