Engineer- Controls III USA (1st Shift)

About the role

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

Responsibilities

• Provide global support for manufacturing facilities and coordinate new equipment installation and implementation.
• Write and maintain programs that use the plant equipment data within the SQL database.
• Maintain and update of manufacturing process tool electrical drawings globally, ensuring the tracking of equipment changes is documented and drawings are kept current.
• Design and theory behind all manufacturing control systems, ensuring new process tools adhere to corporate controls standards and best practices.
• Troubleshoot and problem-solve equipment controls related issues and recommend controls policy/standard changes, if possible, to prevent future issues with new manufacturing process tools.
• Assist, support, and mentor Controls Engineers globally.
• Maintain effective global communications levels which fosters knowledge transfer and team building.
• Interface with multiple departments within the organization and external suppliers to ensure corporate controls policies/standards are understood and being adhered to.
• Assist with FMCS electrical designs and main building power feed designs for new facilities globally.
• Design, code, test, and document large-scale programs; lead peer reviews and ensure quality standards.
• Develop safety assurance plans, conduct hazard analyses (HAZOPS, FMEA), and ensure compliance with IEC 61508 or equivalent.
• Plan and manage system and acceptance testing; define strategies, oversee execution, and ensure integrity.
• Monitor system performance, capacity, and availability; implement disaster recovery and maintain service continuity.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex system issues; analyze trends and implement preventative measures.
• Maintain support processes, create documentation, and ensure usability, accessibility, and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field; or equivalent years of work experience.
• Minimum 10 years of manufacturing equipment controls engineering experience.

Skills

• Excellent understanding/knowledge and experience in controls engineering techniques and practices which would be required for global facilities including North America, Asian, and European countries.
• Excellent understanding/knowledge and ability to trouble-shoot electrical/electronic control systems.
• Excellent understanding/knowledge of global manufacturing processes and safety requirements.
• Proven experience using Auto Desk AutoCad drafting software to create electrical schematic and panel layouts.
• Excellent understanding/knowledge programming of Rockwell Automation Logix platform PLC’s, including ladder and function block diagram.
• Excellent understanding/knowledge programming Rockwell Automation Human Machine Interfaces (HMI) including PanelView Plus, PanelView Plus CE, and Reviews SE.
• Excellent understanding/knowledge designing, programming, and commissioning at least two control network including ControlNet, DeviceNet, Profibus and/or Ethernet.
• Excellent understanding/knowledge of robotic systems including programming, safety requirements, and design/implementation practices.
• Excellent understanding/knowledge of motion controls including stepper motors, servo motors, and AC/DC Drives.
• Excellent understanding/knowledge of Cognex vision camera configuration and programming experience.
• Excellent understanding of computer hardware/applications and the Microsoft Office family.
• Experience and knowledge of working in server environment.
• Proven Microsoft SQL Server Database configuration experience.
• Experience in at least one multi-tiered architecture using C#, VB.NET, HTML, XML and SQL.
• Understanding/knowledge of Corporate Ethernet architectures and systems.
• Excellent communications skills both oral and written.
• Excellent problem solving skills.
• Strong understanding/knowledge of writing project specifications and working with vendors.
• Demonstrated expertise and soft-skills at providing coaching and mentoring to develop and grow a team of junior controls engineers.
• Project management expertise demonstrated by successful track record managing multiple simultaneous projects involving 3-9+ person cross-functional teams to deliver technically complex solutions.

Benefits

Not specified.

Pay

$99,600 - $142,000, Annually US

Schedule

Hybrid

Physical Requirements

• Sit, stand or walk short distances for up to the entire duration of a shift.
• Climb stairs on an occasional basis.
• Lift, push or pull up to 37 pounds on an occasional basis.
• Reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis.
• 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, and a condition of employment and continued employment (requires little or no facial hair) for those requiring respirator use).

Office Physical Requirements

• All positions in our office require interaction with people and technology while either standing or sitting.
• To best service our customers, internal and external, all associates must be able to communicate face-to-face and on the phone with or without reasonable accommodation.