Software Engineer Intern (1st Shift)

First Solar, Inc.; Perrysburg (OH); On-site; USD 30,307 - 34,440; Part time

Job summary

First Solar, Inc. is offering a Summer Internship in software/MES focused on building and improving manufacturing software. The intern will pair with developers to handle tier 3 support, attend daily production and software team meetings, and work on standout projects defined by business needs.

The role emphasizes learning, collaboration, and delivering concrete results in a manufacturing environment, with opportunities to explore AI tooling, CI/CD, and dashboarding.

Qualifications

• 2 years of major CS/MIS coursework and enrollment in a degree program.
• Completed OO programming and relational DB coursework.
• Interest in data or software engineering and build/deploy automation.
• Experience writing Python and/or C# is a plus.
• Familiarity with SQL, BI/reporting tools, and front-end JS is beneficial.
• Awareness of CI/CD pipelines and MES software concepts.

Responsibilities

• Internship lasts approximately 3 months (May–September) with flexible class schedule.
• Work with MES Software team to support tier 3 issues and production meetings.
• Define requirements with other departments and contribute to a project.
• Create dashboards, automate tests, and help in tooling modernization.
• Present accomplishments and project summary to leadership at internship end.

Education

2 years of major coursework in Computer Science or MIS

Enrolled in Bachelor/Master/PhD program with graduation requirement

OO programming and Relational Database Management

SQL and reporting tools

Object Oriented Programming

Python and/or C#

CI/CD pipelines

Front end JavaScript skills

PowerShell scripting

Generative AI tools in Enterprise apps

Experience in MES/Manufacturing context

Tools

Ignition

xUnit

Job description

Basic Job Functions

1. 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.

Education / Experience

• Intern candidate should have completed 2 years of their major coursework, focused in Computer Science or Management Information Systems.
• Must currently be enrolled in a Bachelors, Master's or PhD program who is fulfilling a graduation requirement for their degree.
• First Solar encourages all interns to register their internship with their University.
• Ideal to have completed significant coursework in Object Oriented Programming and Relational Database Management.

Helpful Experience

• Complete coursework in Data Structures and Algorithms.
• Previous support of technical applications.
• Previous experience developing software.

Desired Skills / Competencies

• Ability to write SQL and knowledge of reporting tools.
• Ability to write and knowledge of Object Oriented Programming.
• Front end JavaScript skills is a plus.
• Experience using Generative AI Tools and systems, with an interest in learning how to leverage GenAI technology in Enterprise applications.
• Experience writing code in Python and/or C#, with an interest in Data or Software Engineering.
• Interest in build and deployment automation to modern platforms such as Apache Spark, Apache Airflow, and/or Kubernetes a plus.
• Supported applications in college, as an intern, or in a customer service environment.
• Proven ability and knowledge of computer technology.
• Excellent communication and organization skills.
• Scripting technologies such as PowerShell.
• Proven interpersonal skills.
• Understands Manufacturing processes is a plus.
• Adhere to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards.
• Develop software solutions following best practices.
• Configure and maintain CI/CD pipelines.
• Create unit tests using frameworks such as xUnit.
• Assist with troubleshooting and support of software issues. This is to allow the intern to understand the full experience of the MES Software team. They will get to pair with other developers to handle tier 3 support, as well as attend daily production and Software team operational meetings.
• Interface with other departments to define requirements.
• The intern will also be responsible for a particular project, to be defined and finalized upon selection of candidate and current business needs. Potential example projects include:
  • Optimize definition, collection, reporting, and alerting of Manufacturing System metrics and KPIs.
  • Work with operations personnel to define needed Manufacturing information, research the sourcing of this information, establish its collection, create and display in a dashboard.
  • Create and implement Infrastructure and/or Behavior testing to improve the quality of Manufacturing Systems software.
  • Design and build front end components to support custom Design of Experiment software for R&D team.
  • Develop and fine-tune natural language model interfacing with GPT or other AI to assist in employee onboarding and tool troubleshooting.
  • Work with operations personnel on the development and/or enhancement of an MES Live Monitoring System.
  • Convert legacy applications to modern tool chain using Ignition.
  • Assist with system development of Remote Operations Center.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Upon the completion of this internship, the intern is required to present their accomplishments and project summary to the leadership team.

Essential Responsibilities

• Summer Internship (3 months, approximately, depending on student availability; May - September).
• 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.

Reporting Relationships

• This position will not have direct reports.

Travel

• No travel is required.

Estimated Salary Range

• Estimated Salary Range $22/HR - $25/HR

US Physical Requirements

Office Physical Requirements: All positions in our office require interaction with people and technology while either standing or sitting. To best service our customers, internal and external, all associates must be able to communicate face-to-face and on the phone with or without reasonable accommodation. First Solar is committed to compliance with its obligations under all applicable state and federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. In keeping with this commitment, it attempts to reasonably accommodate applicants and employees in accordance with the requirements of the disability discrimination laws. It also invites individuals with disabilities to participate in a good faith, interactive process to identify reasonable accommodations that can be made without imposing an undue hardship.

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.