Metrology Development Intern (Spring 2027)

First Solar, Inc.; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 47,000; Part time

Job summary

First Solar, Inc. is offering a 3-month internship beginning in Spring 2027 in Santa Clara, CA.

Interns participate in hands-on research across R&D areas such as electrochemistry, electrical measurement, and scientific scripting, with flexibility to enroll in classes if not interfering with duties. The internship emphasizes learning new techniques, instrumentation, and software tools, under guidance and with opportunities to present outcomes to the leadership team.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree at an accredited university.
• Preferred fields include Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or other related science and engineering disciplines.
• Candidates from different technical backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Relevant experience will depend on the project assignment.

Responsibilities

• Support one of the following R&D project areas: electrochemistry, electrical measurement, or scripting.
• Assist with experiment setup, data collection and analysis.
• Upon completion, present accomplishments and project summary to leadership.

Skills

Hands-on research

Analytical skills

Learn new techniques

Education

Bachelor's degree in progress

Chemistry or related science/engineering fields

Job description

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

Basic Job Scope:

• Leading the world's sustainable energy future, First Solar interns work around the globe/country in research and development, marketing, project development, information technology, engineering, energy services and much more. When you work at First Solar, you will be challenged every day and provided real world experience. You will be given the opportunity to find new solutions and develop new skills to further advance your skillset. At First Solar we strive to foster a culture that encourages innovation through collaboration, urging colleagues to take smart risks, learning from failures and course correcting, and owning personal accountability for contributing to our mission.

Expected Length of Internship:

• This internship will last for 3 months starting in Spring 2027.

• As an internship company, we allow flexibility to enroll in classes while working as an intern, as long as it doesn't interfere with the essential functions of the position.

Education/Experience:

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree at an accredited university.
• Preferred fields include Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or other related science and engineering disciplines.
• Candidates from different technical backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Relevant experience will depend on the project assignment.
• First Solar encourages all interns to register their internship with their university.

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Strong interest in hands-on research, experimental science, or engineering.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability and willingness to learn new experimental techniques, instrumentation, or software tools.

Basic Internship Scope (Project):

The intern will support one of the following R&D project areas, depending on their background, interests, and current team needs:

• Electrochemistry: support execution and development of electrochemical experiments, including experiment setup, data collection and interpretation.

• Electrical measurement: support electrical characterization and measurement, including experimental setup, data acquisition and analysis.

• Scientific scripting and programming: develop or improve scripts and tools for scientific data processing, analysis and visualization.

• Upon the completion of this internship, the intern is required to present their accomplishments and project summary to the leadership team.

Estimated Salary Range:

• 28.60 USD per hour -33.80 USD per hr.

US Physical Requirements:

Hybrid Physical Requirements:

• Will sit, stand or walk short distances for up to the entire duration of a shift.
• Will climb stairs on an occasional basis.
• Will lift, push or pull up to 37 pounds on an occasional basis.
• Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects on a frequent basis.
• 20/40 vision in both eyes together, 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, and a condition of employment and continued employment (requires little or no facial hair) for those requiring respirator use.)

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.