Development Engineer III

Responsibilities

• Perform material and device research to enhance thin film solar cell performance and stability and to reduce manufacturing cost.
• Design experiments, hands‑on fabricate core layers, characterize devices/material properties, apply statistical and engineering methods to optimize material and stack performance.
• Lead specifying, commissioning, qualifying, retrofitting (where needed), troubleshooting and sustaining key process/test equipment related to projects; ensure timely supply of raw material/consumables/spares; develop standard operating procedures; provide cross‑training to peers.
• Responsible for projects or functions that enable department goals and deliverables.
• Plan, execute and characterize development engineering experiments in the laboratory.
• Apply statistical and engineering methods to optimize organizational effectiveness; improve methods for use by others.
• Perform material and device research to enhance perovskite film quality at various band‑gap values, solar cell performance and stability, reduce/eliminate key factors driving coating/device instability during perovskite fabrication, post‑PK steps and accelerated stress tests.
• Design and optimize synthetic routes for fabricating high‑quality perovskite materials using scalable synthesis techniques.
• Prototype solar cell devices and conduct electrical and photophysical characterizations.
• Mentor and advise team members on related projects; collaborate with internal and external collaborators (may involve domestic and international travel).
• Meet internal program goals and personal performance goals.
• Train, mentor and manage junior associates.
• Determine and evaluate material specifications for improved performance.
• Determine and evaluate tool/equipment specifications.
• Communicate effectively with internal and external partners and customers; support cross‑functional projects and take ownership of sub‑deliverables.
• Comply with Company's Environmental, Quality, Safety and other enforced policies.
• Travel: Up to 10% domestic/international.
• Reports to Manager of Device Research; may have direct reports.
• Physical requirements: sit, stand or walk short distances for entire shift; occasional stair climbing; occasional lift/push/pull up to 37 lbs; frequent grasping, lifting, handling, carrying or feeling objects; 20/40 vision (with or without correction); comply with safety standards; frequent reaching above shoulder and below waist; occasional stooping, kneeling or bending; ability to wear required PPE (steel‑toed shoes, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, protective jacket/apron, arm guards; little or no facial hair for respirator use).

Qualifications

• 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.
• Degree in chemical engineering, chemistry, or material science strongly preferred.
• Prior experience working with scalable spray, inkjet print, slot die, blade coat of function coating strongly preferred, especially regarding ink formulation to enhance coating quality.
• Prior experience working on wet coating of perovskite coating strongly preferred.

Skills

• Expert knowledge in at least one of: solution‑based perovskite fabrication, scalable wet coating process (spray coating, slot die, blade coat, inkjet print).
• In‑depth knowledge in ink formulation to influence surface energy and material compatibility, to drive coating quality optimization and device performance.
• Working knowledge in selective thin‑film processes (ALD, PVD, CVD, evaporation, dry/wet etch, laser scribing, lamination) and device integration.
• Familiarity with solar cells and relevant physics devices.
• Experience with reliability and accelerated testing.
• Skills and hands‑on experience in execution of experiments in a laboratory environment.
• Analytical skills to interpret data and derive conclusions.
• Ability to make and execute detailed plans to achieve objectives with strong sense of ownership.
• Demonstrated capability to practice critical thinking and common sense, and to effectively troubleshoot process and equipment challenges.
• Good communication skills across organizations.

Pay

Estimated Salary Range: 109,460 USD per year - 165,000 USD per year