Senior Process Development Lab Lead

First Solar, Inc.; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

First Solar, Inc. in Santa Clara, CA is seeking a senior leader to manage Process Development laboratory operations and direct technicians responsible for experimental work and rapid technology learning cycles.

You will work with Process Development engineers, equipment engineering, metrology, EHS, and technicians to ensure safe, repeatable, and efficient execution while driving improvements in throughput and equipment availability.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in engineering and 15 years of relevant experience.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering and 5 years of relevant experience.
• Minimum 5 years in semiconductor, photovoltaic, thin-film, advanced manufacturing, or tech development labs.
• Experience leading technicians in fabrication, metrology, or development equipment.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily technology development activities aligning technician resources, capacity, and priorities with Process Development objectives.
• Continuously improve laboratory execution systems to accelerate learning while maintaining quality, safety, and data integrity.
• Partner with Process Development engineers to convert processes into detailed operating procedures for technicians.
• Own technician execution quality by monitoring adherence, reducing variation, and implementing corrective actions.
• Support introduction of new technologies and processes by developing training plans and operational controls.
• Drive equipment readiness and reliability; lead first-level troubleshooting and coordinate advanced problem-solving with engineering teams.
• Act as operational partner to provide feedback on observations, equipment limitations and throughput opportunities.
• Develop long-term laboratory capabilities by building technician expertise and training systems.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Critical Communication

Experimental Execution Excellence

Technology Development Support

Technical Leadership

Practical Common Sense

First-Line Troubleshooting and Drive U

Education

Associate's degree in engineering or technical discipline

Bachelor's degree in engineering or technical discipline

5+ years in semiconductor/ PV labs

Job description

First Solar, Inc. in Santa Clara, CA is seeking a senior leader to manage Process Development laboratory operations and direct technicians responsible for experimental work and rapid technology learning cycles.

You will work with Process Development engineers, equipment engineering, metrology, EHS, and technicians to ensure safe, repeatable, and efficient execution while driving improvements in throughput and equipment availability.