Manufacturing Engineering Technician Intern (Spring 2027)

Socket.dev; Walbridge (OH); On-site; USD 20,664,000 - 34,440,000; Full time

Job summary

First Solar offers a Manufacturing Engineering Technician Internship on the production floor, working with high-volume solar panel manufacturing equipment and a cross-functional team to monitor, analyze, and troubleshoot daily. The intern will help solve equipment and process challenges to improve safety, quality, or productivity outcomes.

Education required includes a High School Diploma or GED, with ongoing pursuit of an associate degree in a technical discipline.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED is required.
• Pursuing an associate degree in a technical field is preferred.
• Safety-conscious mindset appropriate for a manufacturing environment.
• Strong written and verbal English communication.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and use MS Office tools.

Responsibilities

• Assist manufacturing engineers and technicians with process challenges.
• Identify and implement product performance improvements.
• Monitor production data and perform basic statistical analysis.
• Respond to production equipment alarms and document issues.
• Execute planned experiments and report results.
• Provide on-the-job training to production staff.
• Develop or update process work instructions and control plans.
• Maintain communication with production teams and suppliers as needed.

Skills

Safety mindset

English communication

Team collaboration

Microsoft Office

Troubleshooting

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associate degree in a technical discipline (in progress)

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

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 Technician Internship is an opportunity for an individual interested in manufacturing and looking to gain valuable hands‑on experience on the production floor working with high volume solar panel manufacturing equipment and process. In this role, the intern will be working closely with a cross functional manufacturing team to monitor, analyze, and troubleshoot on a daily basis, work on a team to problem solve and implement changes to improve safety, quality, or productivity goals. Technician Interns work in the manufacturing plan on a crew (days 6a‑6p) or (nights 6p‑6a) with a rotating two week schedule (Mon., Tue., Fri., Sat., Sun., Wed., Thu).

Education/Experience: High School Diploma or GED required. Pursuing at least an associate 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 engineers and technicians in the process of the following:
• 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.
• Respond to production equipment alarms.
• Execute planned process experiments, collect and analyze data and report experimental results.
• Provide on-the-job training to production associates.
• 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 production associates and manufacturing engineers.
• Interface with internal associates and supplier representatives, as required, to complete assigned projects.
• 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 a Manufacturing Engineer or Technician. 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.

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.