Associate Development Engineer

First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.

Basic Job Functions:

• Perform material and device research to enhance thin film solar cell performance and stability and to reduce manufacturing cost.
• Primary/secondary ownership of projects or functional areas within the group.
• Plan, execute and characterize Development Engineering experiments in the laboratory and manufacturing environment.
• Apply statistics and engineering methods to optimize workflow and effectiveness.
• May develop new test equipment and test structures, and write computer software for data analysis and/or data acquisition systems

Education/Experience:

• High School Diploma or equivalent and 10 years of relevant technical experience or 1 year of experience as a Development Engineer Technician II at First Solar.
• Associate degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 5 years of relevant technical experience or 1 year of experience as a Development Engineer Technician II at First Solar.
• Bachelor’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 1 year of relevant technical experience or 1 year of experience as a Development Engineer Technician II at First Solar.
• Master’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline without prior technical work experience.

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Advanced knowledge in several skills that are relevant to the group.
• Skills and hands-on experience in execution of experiments in laboratory or manufacturing environment.
• Analytical skills to interpret data and derive conclusions
• Ability to make an execute detailed plans to achieve objectives with strong sense of ownership.
• Effective communication skills.
• Exposure to general Reliability Analysis methods.
• Experience manipulating large data sets.
• Formal training or classes in statistical analysis methods.
• Ability to communicate clearly with individuals and groups.
• Exposure to semiconductors, PV device physics, and thin film PV technology.
• Exposure to the function, characteristics, measurement, and application of PV modules.
• JMP, Minitab, or similar statistical software experience.
• SQL and database experience.
• Programming experience.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Plan and conduct module and component ALT, HALT, HASS and other characterization tests.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams for characterization and failure mode identification.
• Develop automated routines for data reduction, analysis, and reporting.
• Initiate and collaborate on test equipment improvement projects
• Identify opportunities for improvement in solar cell efficiency, material selection and process/equipment design through engineering, scientific or empirical methods.
• Apply established methods for material analysis, statistical analysis of data or execution/planning of experiments.
• May contribute to determine and evaluate material specification for improved performance. May contribute to determine and evaluate tool/equipment specifications.
• Effective team member that can support cross functional project and take ownership of sub-deliverables.
• Works under minimal supervision. May assist in orienting, mentoring, and training lower level employees.
• Complies with Company's Environmental, Quality, Safety or any other policies that have been enforced.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Job description subject to change at any time.

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports to Development Engineer or Development Manager

Travel:

• No travel is required

Estimated Salary Range:

• $58,000 – 70,000

US Physical Requirements:

• Will sit, stand, or walk short distances for up to 12 hours per day.
• Will climb stairs on a frequent basis.
• Will lift up to 58 pounds on an occasional basis, according to work instruction.
• Will lift up to 37 pounds on a frequent basis.
• Will push or pull up to 27 pounds of force on an occasional basis.
• Will push or pull up to 10 pounds of force on a frequent basis.
• Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects repetitively on a frequent basis.
• 20/40 vision in each eye (with or without correction) and the ability to distinguish between red, yellow, and green is required.
• May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis.
• May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis.
• Must be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures.
Ability to wear personal protective equipment is required (including, but not limited to; steel toed shoes, cut resistant gloves, jackets, aprons &/or arm guards, safety glasses, hearing protection).

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 band 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.