Process Team Leader

Qcells North America; Dalton (GA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Qcells North America is seeking a Process Team Leader in Dalton, GA to guide the Process Engineering and Technician teams toward line optimization, high-yield quality, and targeted production goals.

The role requires deep solar module manufacturing expertise, leadership across shifts, and a drive for continuous improvement using Six Sigma and Lean methodologies in a 24/7 environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Chemical, Materials, Mechanical, Industrial, or related field).
• Minimum 10 years of manufacturing experience, with solar module/semiconductor/display focus.
• 2–3 years in a Team Leader, Manager, or Lead Engineer role.
• Deep understanding of solar module manufacturing processes and defect mechanisms.
• Bilingual in Korean and English; strong leadership and communication skills.
• Experience with Six Sigma, Lean, and data-driven problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Lead, direct, and empower Process Engineering and Technician teams across all shifts.
• Establish handover protocols, ensure 24/7 line coverage, and evaluate performance KPIs.
• Coach engineers and technicians; drive throughput, yield, and CTM targets.
• Oversee process QA, recipes, inspections, and RCA for line issues.
• Ensure ISO 9001/14001 compliance and drive continuous cost reduction projects.
• Collaborate with Production, Equipment, Quality, and EHS for changes and automation.
• Develop and maintain PFMEAs, Control Plans, SOPs, and work instructions.

Skills

Leadership

People Management

Data-driven decision making

Problem solving

Communication

Bilingual Korean & English

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

Power BI

MES/SAP/EMI data

EL testing

Job description

Summary

The Process Team Leader is responsible for leading, directing, and empowering the Process Engineering and Technician teams to achieve manufacturing line optimization, high-yield quality excellence, and operational target goals. This role requires strategic leadership, deep technical expertise in solar module manufacturing (Cell-to-Module optimization, Lamination, Tabber/Stringer, EL inspection), and continuous improvement methodologies (Six Sigma, Lean) to drive process stability, defect/cell loss reduction, cross-functional collaboration, and team member development in a 24/7 manufacturing environment.

Description

PROCESS TEAM LEADER

Reports to: COO

Location: Dalton, GA

Classification: Salary (Exempt)

Grade: G4

The Process Team Leader is responsible for leading, directing, and empowering the Process Engineering and Technician teams to achieve manufacturing line optimization, high-yield quality excellence, and operational target goals. This role requires strategic leadership, deep technical expertise in solar module manufacturing (Cell-to-Module optimization, Lamination, Tabber/Stringer, EL inspection), and continuous improvement methodologies (Six Sigma, Lean) to drive process stability, defect/cell loss reduction, cross-functional collaboration, and team member development in a 24/7 manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & People Management
• Lead, manage, and motivate the Process Engineering team and Process Technicians across all shifts.
• Establish shift handover protocols and manage line engineering coverage for continuous 24/7 operations.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations, provide constructive feedback, set clear KPIs, and manage individual development plans for team members.
• Plan and execute overall team tasks, resource allocation, and shift/day operational priorities.
• Mentor engineers and technicians to advance technical skill sets, problem-solving capabilities, and career progression.
• Process & Quality Assurance Management
• Establish, monitor, and maintain quality assurance standards, process recipes, and inspection/testing protocols to meet or exceed plant yield and CTM (Cell-to-Module) target goals.
• Oversee immediate root-cause analysis (RCA) and emergency countermeasure implementation for critical line issues, cell breakage, and defect spikes (e.g., micro-cracks, lamination bubbles).
• Ensure strict adherence to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards across all manufacturing processes.
• Continuous Improvement & Cost Reduction
• Initiate, manage, and drive plant-wide process improvement projects focused on enhancing operational effectiveness (OE), job effectiveness (JE), minimizing cell loss/scrap, and lowering operational costs.
• Act as a key change agent to systematically implement process changes, recipe tuning, and flexible automation through cross-functional collaboration with Production, Equipment, Quality, and EHS teams.
• Develop, standardize, and maintain engineering documentation: PFMEAs, Control Plans, Work Instructions, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Data Analysis & Performance Reporting
• Utilize data-driven decision-making tools (e.g., Six Sigma, Power BI, MES/SAP/EMI data) to track line stability, CTM gains, yield trends, and loss pareto analyses.
• Establish regular departmental reporting metrics to keep executive management informed on plant improvement progress and strategic initiatives.
• Safety & Environment
• Partner closely with the EHS team to enforce workplace safety regulations, lead safety improvement projects, and minimize incident risks across all lines.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Chemical, Materials, Mechanical, Industrial, or related field).
• Experience: Minimum of 10 years of manufacturing industry experience, with a strong focus on solar module, semiconductor, or display manufacturing processes.
• Minimum 2~3 years of experience in a Team Leader, Manager, or Lead Engineer role.
• Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of solar module manufacturing processes (Tabber/Stringer, Laminator, J-Box, EL/Flash Testing), equipment capabilities, and defect mechanisms.
• Bilingual in Korean and English
• Leadership & Soft Skills:
• Proven leadership and people management capabilities with excellent interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Ability to articulate complex technical issues clearly to both executive management and shop-floor technicians.
• Strong analytical problem-solving mindset and data-driven decision-making approach.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional certifications in Six Sigma (Green/Black Belt), Lean Manufacturing, or Power BI/Data Analytics tools.
• Strong experience with quality management systems (ISO 9001, ISO 14001).
• Cross-functional work experience across Quality, Equipment/Maintenance, or R&D departments.

Physical Requirements

• Able to stand and walk through the production area throughout the workday
• Able to lift to 50 pounds without restriction
• Reaching, pushing, pulling, or lifting as required within limits set by Q Cells
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer

Hanwha Q CELLS provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.