Engineer- Manufacturing II - Manufacturing Solutions Development

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

About the Role

Provide technical leadership within the Semiconductor Process team across all manufacturing sites. Work cross-functionally with Development Engineering to develop robust, manufacturable processes, identifying manufacturing risks and solutions to mitigate. Develop manufacturing solutions and implement new processes in a production environment to meet schedule. Train sustaining team members, document changes, and lead troubleshooting efforts to meet project requirements.

Responsibilities

• Develop, continually improve, and document robust solar module manufacturing processes to achieve the highest product performance in a cost-efficient manner.
• Work with Development and Manufacturing Engineering teams across all manufacturing sites; act as a global Subject Matter Expert.
• Work across multiple equipment sets, including deposition, thermal, wet film deposition, chemical systems, laser systems, and metrology.
• Inject manufacturing requirements into new process development by collaborating with the development team.
• Design and execute planned process experiments, collect and analyze data, and report experimental results.
• Lead task forces and communicate status updates to stakeholders.
• Evaluate, install, and qualify new equipment.
• Champion continuous improvement activities using Six Sigma and other statistical problem-solving methods.
• Develop Process Control Plans, FMEAs, Work Instructions, and Troubleshooting guides.
• Responsible for data collection relating to daily equipment performance and associated product performance.
• Interface with internal associates and supplier representatives to complete assigned projects.
• Act as a trainer for new processes and continuous improvements.
• Adhere to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards.
• Domestic and international travel as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Associate degree in a technical discipline with 2 years of experience as First Solar Manufacturing Engineer I or 3 years of engineering experience in a manufacturing setting, or
• 2 years of engineering experience and 6 years of technical experience in a manufacturing setting, or
• Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline with 2 years of experience as First Solar Manufacturing Engineer I or 3 years of engineering experience in a manufacturing setting, or
• 2 years of engineering experience and 3 years of technical experience in a manufacturing setting, or
• MS Degree in a technical discipline with 2–4 years of engineering experience in a manufacturing setting, or
• PhD Degree in a technical discipline with 0–3 years of engineering experience in a manufacturing setting.

Skills

• Provide technical leadership in cross-functional settings.
• Demonstrated proficiency with applying Robust Engineering.
• Outstanding knowledge in either thin film deposition (PVD, ALD, CVD, etc.) and vacuum fundamentals, or thermal processing (diffusion, annealing, mineral refining, etc.), or glass processing.
• Outstanding knowledge in either wet film deposition (Slot-Die, Roll-Coat, Spray-Coat, Printing) and chemical delivery, or laser processing.
• Excellent Structured Problem-Solving Method (such as DMAIC).
• Outstanding knowledge in PV technologies; prior experience in CdTe a plus.
• Outstanding knowledge of manufacturing control methodologies (FMEAs, SPC, etc.).
• Demonstrated proficiency in applying DOE.
• Outstanding skill in determining and applying control methodologies and troubleshooting process improvements.
• Outstanding skill with Statistical Data Analysis.
• Outstanding skill in Metrology and measurement best practices.
• Develop and provide technical training.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office Suite programs.

Pay

Estimated salary range: $78,000 – $112,000 USD.

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 heights 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; the ability to wear a respirator is a condition of employment (requires little or no facial hair).

Office Physical Requirements

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