Engineer- Quality I USA (1st Shift)

First Solar Inc.; Gaffney (SC); On-site; USD 63,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

First Solar Inc. is seeking a Calibration and IQA-focused professional to administer and improve the company’s ISO 9001–certified Quality Management System.

The role carries specific ownership of calibration and Incoming Quality Assurance processes across manufacturing and supplier interfaces. You will develop and maintain procedures, lead calibration systems for IMTE, support internal and external audits, ensure data integrity and traceability, and drive corrective actions to improve quality

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is highly preferred.
• 3–5 years of related quality experience or 3 years as an associate engineer.
• ASQ certifications desired.
• Proficiency with MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Define, implement, and monitor the site Calibration and IQA per ISO 9001.
• Ensure measurement equipment is calibrated, labeled, controlled, and traceable.
• Provide routine reports and metrics on calibration system health and risk.
• Establish incoming inspection criteria, sampling plans, and acceptance standards.
• Advocate for measurement controls and data integrity to improve quality KPIs.
• Manage calibration and IQA audits and corrective actions.

Skills

Calibration principles

Metrology

Measurement uncertainty

Incoming Quality Assurance processes

Inspection plans & sampling methods

Material disposition

Engineering drawings interpretation

Data analysis

Communication skills

Multitask & corrective actions

Education

Bachelor’s degree (B.S.)

3-5 years quality experience

Calibration/IQA Technician III at First Solar

ASQ certification (CQI, CQA, CQE, CCT)

ISO 9001 Internal Auditor certification

MS Office proficiency

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Job Description

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

Basic Job Functions:

• Support the administration, execution, and continual improvement of First Solar’s ISO 9001–certified Quality Management System (QMS) with specific ownership of the Calibration and Incoming Quality Assurance (IQA) process.
• Develop, implement, and maintain calibration and IQA - related procedures, work instructions, and processes in support of the QMS.
• Lead and maintain site-wide Calibration Management System to ensure all inspection, measuring, and test equipment (IMTE) are calibrated, controlled, and compliant.
• Support internal, external (ISO), customer, and third-party audits related to calibration, measurement systems, and quality compliance.
• Support and maintain Incoming Quality Assurance activities, including inspection planning, supplier material verification, and nonconformance handling.
• Maintain calibration records, documentation, and data integrity in compliance with regulatory, contractual, and company requirements.

Job Description

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

Basic Job Functions:

• Support the administration, execution, and continual improvement of First Solar’s ISO 9001–certified Quality Management System (QMS) with specific ownership of the Calibration and Incoming Quality Assurance (IQA) process.
• Develop, implement, and maintain calibration and IQA - related procedures, work instructions, and processes in support of the QMS.
• Lead and maintain site-wide Calibration Management System to ensure all inspection, measuring, and test equipment (IMTE) are calibrated, controlled, and compliant.
• Support internal, external (ISO), customer, and third-party audits related to calibration, measurement systems, and quality compliance.
• Support and maintain Incoming Quality Assurance activities, including inspection planning, supplier material verification, and nonconformance handling.
• Maintain calibration records, documentation, and data integrity in compliance with regulatory, contractual, and company requirements.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree (B.S. highly preferred)
• or 3-5yrs related Quality experience required
• or 3 years of experience as an associate engineer
• or Calibration/IQA Technician III at First solar.
• ASQ Certification (CQI, CCT, CQA, CQE) desired.
• ISO 9001 Internal Auditor certification or ISO 9001 Lead Auditor certification preferred.
• Proficient use of all Microsoft Office suite programs.

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Strong working knowledge of calibration principles, metrology, and measurement uncertainty.
• Experience with Incoming Quality Assurance processes including inspection plans, sampling methods, and material disposition.
• Experience managing calibration databases, schedules, and external calibration service providers.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and measurement requirements.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data analysis skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills across all organizational levels.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and drive corrective actions to closure.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Define, implement, and monitor the site Calibration and Incoming Quality Assurance (IQA) in accordance with ISO 9001, company policy, and applicable standards.
• Ensure all measurements and test equipment used in manufacturing, engineering, IQA and quality processes are properly calibrated, labeled, controlled, and traceable.
• Provide routine reports and metrics on calibration system health, compliance status, overdue equipment, and risk exposure.
• Establish and maintain incoming inspection criteria, sampling plans, and acceptance standards for raw materials, components, and supplier-provided equipment.
• Advocate for proper measurement controls, calibration best practices, and data integrity to improve quality KPIs and manufacturing performance.
• Manage calibration and IQA - related audit activities, including preparation, execution, response development, and corrective action closure.
• Monitor and maintain calibration and IQA related QMS elements (Document Control Center, PCAR, NCP, IQA) to ensure alignment with business needs.
• Serve as the Quality, IQA and Calibration representative to manufacturing, engineering, suppliers, and other First Solar sites.
• Develop and deliver training on calibration requirements, measurement best practices, and QMS procedures.
• Support Production Readiness activities by reviewing measurement capability and calibration requirements for new tools, processes, and equipment.
• Adhere to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Job description subject to change at any time.
• Reports to Site Quality Manager.
• This position may have direct reports.

Travel:

• 0% - 5% (On occasion/as needed for training, etc.)
• If hired during plant start up, you will be expected to travel to other First Solar locations for training.

Estimated Salary Range:

• $62,500 - $89,000, Annually

US Physical Requirements:

• Will sit, stand, or walk short distances for up to 12 hours per day.
• Will climb stairs 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 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).

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.