Lab Operations Supervisor - Safety, Throughput & Growth

First Solar, Inc.; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 81,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

First Solar Inc. in Santa Clara, CA seeks an experienced Lab Supervisor to oversee CTC lab operations, coordinate tasks, manage technicians, and ensure safety, quality, and on-time data collection.

You will develop and implement operating systems to improve safety and throughput, conduct weekly verifications, maintain equipment and inventory, train staff, and generate lab metrics. The role requires a technical degree with leadership experience, strong communication, and the ability to work long

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree (Mechanical preferred) with 4+ years in manufacturing or lab; 1+ year supervision.
• Associates degree (Mechanical preferred) with 7 years in manufacturing or lab; 3 years supervision.
• First Solar supervisory experience for 2+ years in manufacturing or lab.

Responsibilities

• Ensure a safe work environment.
• Develop and implement operating systems to increase safety and lab throughput.
• Ensure scheduled lab activities are completed on time with data collection and quality checks.
• Acquire test priority from multiple groups and execute testing by priority.
• Develop and maintain lab personnel, write/update work instructions, and conduct OJT.
• Ensure tests follow WI and training is up to date.
• Start up/shut down equipment per task specs.
• Stage task materials and components.
• Maintain area storage and inventories; reduce/dispose materials as needed for safety and efficiency.
• Perform health baseline checks and troubleshoot with owners as needed.
• Work long hours and weekends for critical priorities.
• Communicate abnormal findings immediately.
• Support Engineers on improvement projects.
• Ensure calibrations of testing equipment are current.
• Schedule equipment resources and lab personnel.
• Analyze data with JMP and in-house apps.
• Prepare/update summary reports for health and inventory metrics.
• Enforce procedures and disciplinary actions as needed.
• Develop associates and perform quarterly reviews.
• Assist in other tasks assigned by manager.
• Audit lab processes for compliance.
• Support daily lab operations issues.
• Maintain 5S and safety standards in lab.
• Report lab operation metrics.
• Foster effective communication and teamwork.

Skills

MS Word

Excel

PPT

People management

Process improvement

Data analysis

Troubleshooting

Interpersonal skills

Communication

EH&S knowledge

Self-motivation

Problem solving

Multi-tasking

Education

Bachelor in technical discipline (Mechanical preferred)

Associate in technical discipline (Mechanical preferred)

First Solar supervisory experience (2+ yrs)

Tools

JMP

Job description

First Solar Inc. in Santa Clara, CA seeks an experienced Lab Supervisor to oversee CTC lab operations, coordinate tasks, manage technicians, and ensure safety, quality, and on-time data collection.

You will develop and implement operating systems to improve safety and throughput, conduct weekly verifications, maintain equipment and inventory, train staff, and generate lab metrics. The role requires a technical degree with leadership experience, strong communication, and the ability to work long