Manufacturing Engineering Intern (Fall 2026/Spring 2027)

First Solar, Inc.; New Iberia (LA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

First Solar, Inc. invites applicants for a Manufacturing Engineering Internship to gain hands‑on experience in high‑volume solar panel production. You’ll monitor production performance, analyze data, solve day‑to‑day challenges, and support safety, quality and productivity goals within a cross‑functional team.

Expect to work Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., in the manufacturing plant while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a technical field.

Qualifications

• Required: High School Diploma or GED.
• Pursuing at least a bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline.
• Good written and oral communication skills in English.
• Comfortable interacting as part of a team.
• Competent in Microsoft tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Able to troubleshoot and solve problems.

Responsibilities

• Assist manufacturing technicians, engineers and leadership.
• Solve day-to-day production equipment and process challenges.
• Identify and implement product performance improvements.
• Monitor and collect production process data and perform statistical analysis to assess performance.
• Execute planned process experiments, collect and analyze data and report experimental results.
• Create and conduct training in classroom and on the production floor.
• Develop or update documentation such as process work instructions and control plans.
• Develop a complete understanding of area processes, equipment, and support systems.
• Maintain effective communication with cross functional team members
• Interface with internal associates, supplier representatives, and education institutions as required
• Adhere to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards.

Skills

Safety mindset

English communication

Team collaboration

Microsoft Office

Troubleshooting

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Pursuing Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

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

Basic Job Functions:

Our Manufacturing Engineering Internship is an opportunity for an individual interested in manufacturing and looking to gain valuable experience with high volume solar panel manufacturing equipment and processes. In this role, the intern will be working closely with a cross functional team to monitor, analyze daily production performance, solve problems, and/or work on projects to improve safety, quality, & productivity goals.

Engineering Interns typically work a Monday through Friday, 8a-5p, in the manufacturing plant.

Education/Experience:

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Pursuing at least a bachelor's degree in a technical discipline.

First Solar encourages all interns to register their internship with their College or University.

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Safety mindset for working in a manufacturing factory.
• Good written and oral communication skills in English.
• Comfortable interacting as part of a team.
• Competent in Microsoft tools (word, excel, powerpoint).
• Able to trouble shoot and solve problems.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Assist manufacturing technicians, engineers and leadership:
• Solve day-to-day production equipment and process challenges.
• Identify and implement product performance improvements.
• Monitor and collect production process data and perform statistical analysis to assess performance.
• Execute planned process experiments, collect and analyze data and report experimental results.
• Create and conduct training in classroom and on the production floor.
• Develop or update documentation such as process work instructions and control plans.
• Develop a complete understanding of area processes, equipment, and support systems.
• Maintain effective communication with cross functional team members
• Interface with internal associates, supplier representatives, and education institutions as required
• Adhere to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards.
• Adhere to all environmental health standards including handling of waste and hazardous materials.

Reporting Relationships:

Reports to an Engineer or Manager

This position will not have direct reports.

Travel:

This is an on-site position (not remote)

Travel between the Perrysburg plants is required.

No long distance travel is required.

Estimated Salary Range:

$22-$25/hr.

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 58 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.
• 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.