Lead- Technical Group Module USA

First Solar Inc.; New Iberia (LA); On-site; USD 81,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

First Solar Inc. is seeking a shift supervisor/engineering lead to oversee module area technicians, driving safety, quality, yield and throughput. You will manage daily work, ensure rapid return-to-production and coordinate with operations to meet production targets.

The role requires strong leadership, excellent communication skills, and experience with SPC/DMAIC and Lean practices to implement continuous improvements and maintain strong EHS standards.

Qualifications

• High school diploma plus 3 years supervisory experience with 2 years technical work in manufacturing, maintenance, or engineering.
• High school diploma plus 5 years technical experience at First Solar.
• Associates or bachelor’s degree in engineering, mechanical or electrical field with no experience.

Responsibilities

• Adheres to safety procedures and 5S standards.
• Supervises shift engineering and maintenance technicians to meet uptime and process control goals.
• Plans and schedules daily work for engineering and maintenance staff.
• Ensures production readiness and accurate record-keeping.
• Interfaces with operations, engineering, and vendor teams to drive improvements.
• Leads root-cause analysis and corrective actions for yield and performance issues.
• Manages discipline and staff development of direct reports.
• Ensures compliance with Environmental Health and Safety requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Electrical knowledge

Mechanical knowledge

SPC/DMAIC

Lean/Six Sigma

Problem solving

Safety/EHS

Team management

JMP

Education

Associates or bachelor’s degree in engineering/mechanical/electrical

High school diploma + 3 years supervisory experience

High school diploma + 5 years technical experience at First Solar

Tools

Maximo/CMMS

SAP

Oracle

JMP

Job description

Description

Basic Job Functions:

Supervises and leads assigned shift engineering and shift maintenance technicians in the repair and process control of module equipment to meet shift goals in terms of Safety, Quality, Yield, and Throughput, in a cost-efficient manner.

Education/Experience:

• High school diploma or GED plus 3 years of supervisory experience with 2 years technical work experience in manufacturing, maintenance, or engineering OR
• High school diploma or GED plus 5 years of technical experience at First Solar OR
• Associates or bachelor’s degree in engineering, mechanical or electrical field with no experience.
• Experience in vacuum system, thermal, electrical, mechanical, and chemical industrial applications is preferred.
• Managed or participated in continuous improvement projects is preferred.

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Electrical and Mechanical knowledge are required.
• Knowledge of Vacuum and Thermal systems Wet Chemistry, Programming/Logic and Mechanical operation are desired.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes, engineering controls, and equipment experience is preferred.
• Excellent process and equipment troubleshooting and structural problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Possess strong leadership, interpersonal skills, analytic skills, and ability to lead a flexible workforce.
• Excellent organizational, supervisory, decision-making, and planning skills.
• Proven ability to manage production associates effectively in terms of leading, supervising, coaching, training, and developing direct reports.
• Knowledgeable in structural problem solving and analysis such as 5-Why Analysis, Fishbone diagram and 7-Steps.
• Understands and can apply Statistical Data Analysis and Statistical Process Control (SPC), structural problem- solving tools (such as DMAIC).
• Demonstrate ability to analyze engineering and statistical data, driven corrective/ improvement action accordingly. JMP experience a plus.
• Preferred certified Lean Six Sigma Green belt.
• Good knowledge on EHS/Safety and Quality systems (ISO14001/ ISO9001/ ISO4500/ OSHA)
• Familiarity with Asset Management and Maintenance applications required. Maximo/CMMS, SAP, or Oracle preferred.
• Basic knowledge to work with different computer/ devices applications e.g., Mobile systems, Communication devices, Interface with Machine Control Panels and HMI interface.
• Experience with LOTO procedures, Mechanical and Electrical and stored energy hazards with good awareness of Control of Hazardous Energies.
• Proficient use of all Microsoft Office suite programs and analysis software.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Adheres to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards, including our 5S system.
• Responsible for the assigned shift uptime and process control within the module area, following escalation procedures as needed for support.
• Supervises on-site service, trouble shooting and repairing of module process equipment and ensure good return-to-production (RTP) buy off prior to production run.
• Act a 1st level of escalation for module tools (process and repair)
• Plans and supervises the scheduling of daily work assignments of all engineering and maintenance technicians assigned to module area on respective shift.
• Assures the process of record is executed and production readiness is maintained with production and process technical objectives and events are met.
• Ensures the module activities (process monitoring, tool PM’s, area walk through, 5S, etc) are performed effectively with the highest level of quality.
• Ensure all module processes are running on target as defined by the Process Control Plan.
• Support operations, engineering, and integration teams in identifying, assigning cause and implementing improvement actions on yield excursions and performance issues.
• Ensure team is responding to SPC alarms and bring processes back into control.
• Provides direction to shift engineering, shift maintenance, onsite contractors, and vendors to ensure and enforce First Solar’s standards and policies. This includes ensuring Environmental Health and Safety requirements are met.
• Responsible for communicating systems and policies to direct reports.
• Responsible for working with the appropriate departments to handle employee relations issues.
• Responsible for training and developing direct reports and setting objectives.
• Coordinate production startups, shutdowns, and changeovers within module area.
• Effective use of internal application software for process and maintenance tracking.
• Interfaces with other departments and manages timely completion ETA/projects as required.
• Utilizes structural problem-solving methodology to troubleshoot issues.
• Responsible for maintenance system compliance including closing out work orders, handheld scanner compliance, job plan audits and keeping track of process tool correct E10 status.
• Manage time keeping of all assigned shift engineering and maintenance technicians, responsible for shift schedule and coordinate with Human Resources for appropriate staffing levels.
• Responsible for handling disciplinary actions with the associate involved.
• Responsible for effective communication levels and foster team building.
• Oversee the responsibilities of engineering and maintenance technicians to manage and dispose properly the hazardous waste generated from routine, troubleshooting/ maintenance jobs performed in the either building.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Job description subject to change at any time.

Reporting Relationships:

• This position reports to the Area Manager - Module.
• This position will have direct reports.

Travel:

• No travel is required.

Estimated Salary Range:

• $80,700-$115,000

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 exert up to 50 pounds of force to lift, push or pull on a seldom basis.
• Will lift, push, or pull up to 27 pounds on a frequent basis.
• Will lift up to 51 pounds on an occasional basis, according to work instructions.
• 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, 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).
• 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.