Process Integration Engineer

ES Foundry; South Carolina; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

ES Foundry is seeking a Process Integration (PI) Engineer to optimize solar cell efficiency and yield in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. You will maintain and optimize inline testers (IV, EL, AOI) and lead data-driven failure analysis to improve production performance.

The role requires strong analytical skills, experience with JMP/Tableau, and coding ability in Python or similar. Collaboration across process steps and DOE-driven experiments will be essential to drive sustained yield

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline and manufacturing experience.
• Experience in solar cell manufacturing preferred.
• Strong analytical and data-driven approach with practical problem-solving skills.
• Coding in Python, R or similar for automating data processing is a plus.
• Proficiency with JMP or Tableau to extract actionable insights from datasets.

Responsibilities

• Own inline inspection systems (IV/EL/AOI) and oversee testing equipment performance.
• Calibrate and maintain solar cell testers to ensure accurate data collection.
• Troubleshoot tester issues using data-driven and physics-based methods.
• Validate electrical parameters and benchmark against offline metrology tools.
• Improve defect detection algorithms using EL, AOI and metrology data.
• Perform detailed failure analysis with PL, QE, IR imaging and microscopy to identify defects.
• Correlate inline tester results with upstream/downstream processes for root cause analysis.
• Develop yield monitoring strategies integrating data from testers, metrology, and MES.
• Create automated data pipelines and scripts (Python/JSL) to streamline analysis.

Skills

Python scripting

Data analysis

DOE

Statistical methods

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical discipline

Engineering degree or equivalent diploma

Tools

JMP

Tableau

Python

Job description

The Process Integration (PI) Engineer is responsible for Solar cell Efficiency and Yield in fast-paced manufacturing environment. PI Engineer focus on the maintenance, and optimization of solar cell testing tools, including current–voltage (IV) measurement, Electroluminescence (EL) and Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) systems. The role also involves conducting failure analysis using offline metrology tools, advanced data analysis, and implementing yield improvement strategies to support manufacturing excellence.

Responsibilities:

• Inline Inspection System Ownership (IV / EL / AOI)
• Oversee the operation, calibration, and maintenance of solar cell testers, including inline testing systems such as IV, EL and AOI.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to tester performance to ensure accurate data collection and minimal downtime using data-driven and physics-based approaches.
• Ensure accuracy, calibration, and stability of IV, EL, and AOI systems, including validation of key electrical parameters (Voc, Isc, FF) and benchmarking against offline metrology tools.
• Drive improvements in defect detection algorithms and classification methods using EL, AOI, and offline metrology data.
• Conduct detailed failure analysis of solar cells using offline metrology tools, such as photoluminescence (PL), quantum efficiency (QE), infrared imaging, and advanced microscopy, to identify root causes of defects and quantify loss mechanisms impacting efficiency and yield.
• Support root cause analysis of process-related defects by combining inline tester results with offline failure analysis findings and correlating to upstream and downstream process steps.
• Identify dominant yield loss pareto and prioritize improvement actions based on impact to efficiency and throughput.
• Translate defect analysis findings into actionable process improvements by solving issues through data analysis, experimentation (e.g., DOE), and collaboration with subject matter experts across relevant process steps.
• Data Analysis & Monitoring
• Develop and implement yield monitoring strategies, integrating data from inline testers, metrology tools, and MES systems to track performance and identify gaps and enable continuous improvement.
• Perform advanced data analysis using tools like JMP and Tableau to detect patterns and trends, providing actionable recommendations to improve production yield and product quality.
• Develop automated data pipelines and scripts (coding experience in Python, JSL or similar languages is a plus) to streamline data processing and analysis.
• Ensure data traceability across inline systems, offline metrology, and MES to support accurate defect tracking and root cause analysis.
• Safety & General Responsibilities
• Execute all required duties while practicing safe work methods and adhering to all plant safety rules.
• Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned by management.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in technical discipline, Engineering experience in a manufacturing setting.
• Experience in solar cell manufacturing is preferred.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and analytical approach.
• Proven technical acumen.
• Engineering degree or equivalent technical college diploma.
• The ability to effectively interface with all management levels and other client business units.
• Coding experience in Python, R, or other scripting languages is a plus for automating data processing and analysis workflows.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools like JMP, Tableau, or equivalent platforms, with the ability to extract insights from complex datasets.