Development Engineer Iii - Data Quality

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

Basic Job Functions:

• Coordinates with QnR Department to facilitate quality and reliability testing of representative RDC samples through metrology monitoring, module selection and test status tracking.
• Install and qualify new metrology equipment & solar simulators. Troubleshoot day-to-day manufacturing issues on the pilot line in a timely manner. These include tool down issues, yield, quality issues and identify actions to prevent repeat issues as well as maintaining metrology tools calibration standards.
• Improve solar module performance by optimizing metrology/equipment using statistical and engineering techniques.
• Plan, execute and characterize Development Engineering experiments in the laboratory and manufacturing environment with strategic foresight. Drives actions with strategic foresight.
• Applies statistical and engineering methods to optimize organizational effectiveness. Improves methods for use by others.

Education/Experience:

• Associate’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 20 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer II at First Solar.
• Bachelor’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 10 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer II at First Solar.
• Master’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 8 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer II at First Solar.
• Ph.D. in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 5 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer II at First Solar.

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Technical expert and innovator in one area of photovoltaic processes and/or equipment development.
• Expert and hands on experience in laboratory or manufacturing environment.
• In depth knowledge in several fields from the list of photovoltaic device theory, materials science, process engineering, characterization techniques and other fields relevant to First Solar's technology.
• Strong sense of project ownership with hands-on and can-do attitude.
• Strong communication skills across organizations
• Experience in metrology tool, solar simulator and solar module quality & reliability testing is highly preferred

Essential Responsibilities:

• Identify opportunities for improvement in solar cell efficiency, material selection and process/equipment design through engineering, scientific or empirical methods.
• Ownership of Metrology toolsets / Solar Simulators in the Research and Development Center including sustaining, calibration, and improvement activities.
• Coordinate with QnR to track the status of RDC-related quality and reliability tests, facilitate data interpretation and act as a liaison between process development team and QnR.
• Improve state of the art techniques for material analysis, statistical analysis of data, or execution planning of experiments. Develop a work plan that have unclear solution paths.
• May be responsible to determine and evaluate material specification for improved performance. May be responsible to determine and evaluate tool/equipment specifications.
• Effective communicator with internal and external partners and customers. Effective team member that can support cross-functional projects and take ownership of sub-deliverables.
• May train, mentor and manage junior and peers on specific subject matters.
• Complies with Company's Environmental, Quality, Safety or any other policies that have been enforced. Contributes to continuous improvement of said policies.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Job description subject to change at any time.

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports to Development Manager.
• May have direct reports.

Travel:

• 0% - 5% (On occasion/as needed for training, etc.)

Estimated Salary Range:

• $80,000 - $120,000 Annually

US Physical Requirements:

• Will sit, stand, or walk short distances for up to the entire duration of a shift.
• 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.
• May reach above shoulder and below the waist heights 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, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, protective jacket or apron and arm guards).
• All associates working on the production floor may be required to wear a respirator at any given time and thus, the ability to wear a respirator is a condition of employment and continued employment (requires little or no facial hair).

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.