MES Controls Engineering Intern (Spring 2024)

Job Overview: 

Leading the world's sustainable energy future, First Solar interns work in facilities around the globe in research and development, manufacturing engineering, control system engineering, project management, information technology, product management, and business systems. 

When you work at First Solar, you will be challenged every day by real world experiences. You will be given the opportunity to find new solutions and develop new skills to further advance your skill set.  At First Solar we strive to foster a culture that encourages innovation through collaboration, supporting colleagues to take smart risks, learning from failures, and owning personal accountability for contributing to our mission. 

Attendance: Interns are required to report to work in person at a FSLR facility, typically for 40 Hours of work on first shift, Monday through Friday,

Expected Length of Internship: 

• Internship will be a minimum of two (2) months and cover an entire semester.
• We allow flexibility to enroll in classes while working as an intern, as long as it does not interfere with the schedule and essential functions of the position.

Experience: 

  Applicants are required to be in their junior or senior year of college.

  Preferred applicants will have experience in control systems engineering, working with manufacturing equipment and in an industrial environment.

Education:

• Must currently be enrolled in an accredited Associates, Bachelor's, or Master's program with a major in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Computer Science/Engineering, or related field. 
• First Solar encourages all interns to register with their university's internship program and apply for the position via the First Solar Website.

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Knowledge in Controls Engineering techniques and practices.
• Basic understanding/knowledge and ability to trouble-shoot electrical/electronic control systems.
• Preferred basic understanding/knowledge of manufacturing processes and safety requirements.
• Basic ability to use Auto Desk AutoCAD drafting software to create electrical schematic and panel layouts.
• Basic understanding of computer hardware and the Microsoft Office suite of software.
• Basic understanding/knowledge in PLC programming - Rockwell Automation Logix platform preferred.
• Preferred basic understanding/knowledge in programming Rockwell Automation Human Machine Interfaces (HMI) including PanelView Plus and PanelView Plus CE.
• Preferred basic understanding/knowledge in control networks such as Ethernet I/P, & ProfNet.
• Good verbal, visual, and written communications skills.
   

Basic Internship Scope (Project):

Primary Responsibilities:

• Adheres to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards.
• Assists with coordination of new equipment installation and implementation.
• Assists with maintaining and updating of manufacturing process tool electrical drawings globally, ensuring equipment changes are tracked, documented and the drawings are kept current.
• Assists with troubleshooting, support and problem solving on equipment with controls related issues.
• Responsible to interface with multiple departments within the organization and external suppliers to ensure compliance with corporate controls policies and standards.
• Responsible to assist senior engineers on large projects.
• Effectively communicates and generates documentation for controls systems related tasks.
• Responsible for designing, programming, and coordination of small-scale control systems and projects.
• Follows operational procedures of a routine nature.  Contributes to maintenance, installation and problem resolution.
• Gains experience in a profession engineering environment and gets exposure to real-world continuous improvement and troubleshooting tasks. 
• Gains exposure to PLC programing, HMI programming, vision systems, motion controls, PID controls, robotic programming and MES Integration.
• Upon the completion of this internship, the intern is required to present their accomplishments and project summary to the leadership team.

Estimated Salary Range: 

• $18 - $24

US Physical Requirements: 

Manufacturing Areas Physical Requirements:

• Will sit, stand, or walk short distances for up to 10 hours per day.
• Will climb stairs on an occasional basis.
• Will lift up to 37 pounds on a frequent basis.
• Will push or pull up to 27 pounds of force on an occasional 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.
• The 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).
• Daily transportation to one or multiple buildings within the Perrysburg campus.

Office Physical Requirements:

All positions in our office require interaction with people and technology while either standing or sitting.   In order to best service our customers, internal and external, all associates must be able to communicate face-to-face, over E-mail, 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 are a driving force in the success of our company.