Engineer- Operations I USA (1st Shift)

First Solar; South Carolina; On-site; USD 56,100 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

First Solar is seeking a qualified individual to coordinate solar module manufacturing operations. The ideal candidate will have an associate degree in engineering or business and extensive technical experience in a manufacturing setting.

You will be responsible for leading operations, promoting safety, and contributing to continuous improvement efforts. Strong problem-solving skills and effective communication are essential.

This role involves training associates and coordinating various production-related activities while adhering to all safety standards.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in business or engineering with 6 years technical work experience or equivalent.
• Bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or Ph.D. can substitute for experience.
• Technical work experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and prioritize manufacturing operations.
• Communicate with management to achieve operational objectives.
• Contribute to continuous improvement in safety and quality.
• Train and guide associates in technical competencies.

Skills

Safety First mindset

Teamwork

Problem solving

Critical thinking

Communication skills

Knowledge of electrical systems

Mechanical troubleshooting

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Data mining/reporting experience

Education

Associate degree in business or engineering

Bachelor's, master's, or Ph.D. in business or engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Data reporting tools (Report Manager, Pro Clarity, JMP)

Job description

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/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 Degree, master’s degree, 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, Words 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 utilization, 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 palletizing 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 utilize 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.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Job description subject to change at any time.

Reporting Relationships

• This position will not have direct reports.

Travel

• 5% - 10%
• If hired during plant start up, you will be expected to travel to other First Solar locations for training.

Estimated Salary Range

• 56,100 - 80,000, Annually

US Physical Requirements

• Will sit, stand, or walk short distances for up to 12 hours per day.
• Will climb stairs or steps on a frequent 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 50 pounds of force on an occasional basis.
• Will push or pull up to 37 pounds of force on a frequent basis.
• Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects on a frequent basis.
• 20/40 vision in each eye separately and both eyes (with or without correction), the ability to distinguish between red, yellow, and green and peripheral vision >70 degrees 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 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 or goggles, hearing protection & respirators) as 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.