Senior Development Engineer, PV Thermal & Process

First Solar Inc.; Perrysburg (OH); On-site; USD 84,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

First Solar Inc. in Perrysburg, OH is seeking a development engineer focused on thermal analysis, CFD/CAE, and process optimization to enhance thin-film solar cell performance and reduce costs.

This role emphasizes hands-on experimentation in lab and manufacturing environments, with serial innovation and ownership of complex projects critical to department goals. The position requires advanced degrees with substantial relevant experience, strong programming and data-analysis skills, and the

Qualifications

• Education/experience requirements include multiple degree levels with significant years of relevant experience or internal First Solar experience.
• Strong background in transport phenomena, chemical reaction engineering, and materials engineering is preferred.
• Experience with statistical software and numeric analyses in industrial projects is required or highly desirable.
• Hands-on laboratory or manufacturing environment experience with effective cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Identify opportunities to improve solar cell efficiency, material selection, and process/equipment design focusing on thermal systems.
• Advance computer-aided analysis techniques and statistical methods for data analysis and experiment planning.
• Define and evaluate thermal tool specifications and related material requirements for performance gains.
• Communicate effectively with internal and external partners and support cross-functional projects.
• May mentor and train junior staff on subject matter expertise.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, quality, safety policies and contribute to process improvements.
• Other duties as assigned and adapt to changing job description.

Skills

Programming experience

AI-assisted coding

Statistical analysis

Thermal analysis

Gas flow analysis

Lab/manufacturing experience

Project ownership

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Master's degree in engineering or related field

Ph.D. in engineering or related field

Associate’s degree in engineering or related field

Tools

CFD software

CAD software

Meshing tools

Post-processing software

JMP

Job description

First Solar Inc. in Perrysburg, OH is seeking a development engineer focused on thermal analysis, CFD/CAE, and process optimization to enhance thin-film solar cell performance and reduce costs.

This role emphasizes hands-on experimentation in lab and manufacturing environments, with serial innovation and ownership of complex projects critical to department goals. The position requires advanced degrees with substantial relevant experience, strong programming and data-analysis skills, and the