Lead- Technical Group Technology Scaling USA

First Solar, Inc.; Perrysburg (OH); On-site; USD 81,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

First Solar, Inc. in Perrysburg, OH, seeks a Manufacturing Technology Lead to drive equipment readiness, asset reliability, and inventory strategy for technology scaling from R&D through Pilot and High Volume Manufacturing.

You will lead cross-functional teams to ensure availability of assets, spare parts, tooling, and consumables to meet project and production goals. The role requires strong knowledge of manufacturing equipment and maintenance systems, plus experience with data analysis tools

Qualifications

• Associates degree and/or 2 years engineering or 6 years manufacturing experience.
• Bachelor's degree and 2 years engineering or 3 years manufacturing experience.
• MS degree with 2 years engineering experience in manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing equipment, maintenance systems and production support processes.
• Experience with DMAIC, 5-Why, Fishbone, RCA and SPC.
• Ability to analyze data to identify issues and drive improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead as technical owner for equipment readiness and asset reliability.
• Develop and deploy robust equipment support and inventory processes.
• Lead cross-functional teams to ensure assets, spare parts, tooling, and consumables meet objectives.
• Transfer new technologies from R&D to manufacturing and support startup.
• Manage spare parts, maintenance plans, and equipment records.
• Lead daily production activities while ensuring safety, quality, and productivity.

Skills

Manufacturing equipment knowledge

Maintenance systems

Data analysis (Power BI, SQL, JMP, MIn

Education

Associate's degree in technical discipline

Bachelor's degree in technical discipline

MS degree in technical discipline

Tools

Power BI

SQL

JMP

Minitab

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

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

Basic Job Functions:

• Serves as the technical lead for equipment readiness, asset reliability, inventory strategy, and material support systems required for Manufacturing Technology Scaling initiatives. Responsible for developing and deploying robust equipment support and inventory management processes that enable successful technology transfer from R&D through Pilot and High Volume Manufacturing (HVM). Leads cross-functional efforts involving Manufacturing Engineering, Maintenance, Reliability, Warehouse Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, and equipment suppliers to ensure manufacturing assets, spare parts, tooling, and consumables are available to meet project, startup, and production objectives.

• Acts as the subject matter expert, critical spare parts strategy, reliability readiness, inventory optimization, and material systems. Provides technical leadership for complex projects, equipment qualifications, technology scaling programs, and continuous improvement initiatives while influencing cross-functional teams without direct supervisory responsibility. Supports manufacturing performance objectives related to safety, product quality, yield, throughput, equipment uptime, and cost.

• Daily production of Photovoltaic modules in accordance with required quality standards and in a cost-efficient manner. Train and mentor associates to maximize their supervisory skills.

Education/Experience:

• Associates Degree in a technical discipline with
  • 2 years Engineering experience and/or 6 years' technical experience in a manufacturing setting, or
• Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline with
  • 2 years Engineering experience and/or 3 years technical experience in a manufacturing setting, or
• MS Degree in a technical discipline, with
  • 2 years Engineering experience in a manufacturing setting.

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Strong knowledge of manufacturing equipment, maintenance systems, and production support processes.

• Experience with electrical, mechanical, chemical manufacturing systems.

• Experience using continuous improvement and problem-solving tools such as DMAIC, 5-Why, Fishbone Analysis, Root Cause Analysis, and SPC.

• Ability to analyze equipment, maintenance, inventory, and operational data to identify issues and drive improvements.

• Experience creating and maintaining FMEAs, Control Plans, PM procedures, OCAPs, work instructions, and troubleshooting guides.

• Knowledge of MRO inventory management, spare parts planning, equipment BOMs, and asset management.

• Experience installing, qualifying, commissioning, and supporting manufacturing equipment.

• Strong troubleshooting skills and the ability to develop practical solutions to technical problems.

• Strong project management and cross-functional teamwork skills.

• Effective communication, organization, planning, and leadership abilities.

• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and data analysis tools such as Power BI, SQL, JMP, Minitab, or similar software.

• Demonstrated ability to make sound decisions and work independently.

• Experience with vacuum, laser, chemical, metrology, packaging, or thermal systems is preferred.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Adheres to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards and promotes a Safety First culture.

• Support equipment reliability, readiness, and inventory management.

• Help transfer new technologies from R&D to manufacturing.

• Manage spare parts, maintenance plans, and equipment records.

• Support equipment installation, testing, qualification, and startup.

• Work with engineering, maintenance, supply chain, and suppliers to keep equipment running efficiently.

• Lead daily production activities and ensure quality and productivity goals are met.

• Monitor inventory, equipment performance, throughput, and production efficiency.

• Analyze data, troubleshoot issues, and implement improvements.

• Lead root cause investigations and continuous improvement activities.

• Train, coach, and develop team members.

• Maintain training, compliance, production, and inventory records.

• Support cost control and operational performance.

• Use manufacturing and ERP systems to track production and inventory.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Reporting Relationships:

• This position reports to the Operations Manager.

Travel:

• Up to 10% of global travel is expected.

Estimated Salary Range:

• $80,700 - $115,000 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).

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.