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.
• Plan, execute, and characterize development engineering experiments in a laboratory environment.
• Screen new lasers, set up test bench, drive experiment (design and execution), data analysis and clear conclusions to drive cell/module performance enhancement.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in an engineering discipline (Electrical preferred) or similar technical discipline (Materials Science, Experimental Physics preferred) and 5 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer I at First Solar.
• Master's Degree in an engineering discipline (Electrical preferred) or similar technical discipline (Materials Science, Experimental Physics preferred) and 3 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer I at First Solar.
• Ph.D. in an engineering discipline (Electrical preferred) or similar technical discipline (Materials Science, Experimental Physics preferred), without prior technical work experience.
• Relevant solar and/or laser research experience desired.

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Hands-on experience with DPSS lasers, setting beam paths, motion controllers and optics required.
• Fundamental understanding of laser material interaction required.
• Knowledge in coding required.
• Prior experience maintaining a lab, leading a team, comfortable working long hours in the lab, equipment troubleshooting, equipment repair required.
• Expertise in LabVIEW and microcontroller programming or equivalent desired.
• Familiar with hetero-junction semiconductor device physics fundamentals and device characterization.
• Familiarity with high-speed manufacturing processes and demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects a plus.
• Excellent communication skills and someone comfortable working in a diverse group. Other behaviors include integrative thinking, driven, results oriented, self-awareness, mentoring others, and willing to make changes.
• Prior experience with Gauge R&R methods and statistical methods for maintaining a repeatable process is highly desirable.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Owning projects - as a part of which, defining/designing and executing experiments, and providing clear conclusions and recommendations.
• Regular literature survey and reporting to the team expected.
• Analyze and interpret data from material and optoelectronics measurements and device physics fundamentals to determine device and materials issues with solar cells, films, and surfaces.
• Identify opportunities for improvement in solar cell efficiency, material selection, and process and equipment design.
• Leading a small team of associates responsible for process development and bringing in tools and tool upgrades.
• Complies with Company's Environmental, Quality, Safety or any other policies that have been enforced.
• This is a full-time on-site position.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Job description subject to change at any time.

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports to Development Engineer or Development Manager
• Will have direct reports.

Travel:

• 10 - 15% travel required

Estimated Salary Range:

• $75,000 - $105,000/annually

US Physical Requirements:

• Will sit, stand, or walk short distances for up to the entire duration of a shift.
• Will climb stairs on an occasional basis.
• Will lift, push, or pull up to 27 pounds on an occasional basis.
• Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects on a frequent basis.
• 20/40 vision in each eye, with or without correction, is required.
• Must be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures.
• May reach above shoulder height and below the waist on a frequent basis.
• May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis.
• 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.