Engineer- Manufacturing III USA (1st Shift)

About the role

Provide technical leadership within the team and work with Development Engineering to develop robust, manufacturable processes. Implement new processes to meet schedule, leading troubleshooting efforts as needed to meet project requirements. Define requirements, evaluate, install and qualify new process equipment. Troubleshoot day-to-day manufacturing issues on the production line in a timely manner. Identify and implement continuous improvements that contribute to the achievement of throughput, yield and product performance goals.

Responsibilities

• Develop, continually improve, and document robust solar module manufacturing processes to achieve the highest product performance in a cost-efficient manner
• Lead teams through continuous improvement activities and structured problem solving
• Sustain entire process area
• Inject manufacturing requirements into new process development by working 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
• Provide mentorship and project oversight to assist in the development of junior engineers
• Resolve day-to-day production, equipment, and process problems
• Identify training needs and develop and provide training to other engineers, engineering technicians, and production associates
• Develop process control plans and preventive maintenance plans
• Collect data relating to daily equipment performance and associated product performance
• Interface with internal associates and supplier representatives as required to complete assigned projects
• Maintain effective communication with production associates and manufacturing engineers
• Set up new gauges and perform gauge maintenance
• Work with minimal supervision
• Adhere to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards
• Domestic and international travel as required

Education/Experience

• Associate’s degree in a technical discipline with:
  • 2 years as First Solar Manufacturing Engineer II, or
  • 5 years engineering experience in a manufacturing setting, or
  • 4 years engineering and 6 years technical experience in a manufacturing setting
• Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline with:
  • 2 years as First Solar Manufacturing Engineer II, or
  • 5 years engineering experience in a manufacturing setting, or
  • 4 years engineering and 3 years technical experience in a manufacturing setting
• MS degree in a technical discipline with:
  • 2 years as First Solar Manufacturing Engineer II, or
  • 4 years engineering experience in a manufacturing setting
• PhD degree in a technical discipline with:
  • 2 years as First Solar Manufacturing Engineer II, or
  • 3 years of experience in a manufacturing setting

Required Skills/Competencies

• Technical leadership
• Proficiency applying Robust Engineering
• Excellent structured problem-solving method (such as DMAIC)
• Outstanding knowledge of manufacturing processes
• Skill generating and maintaining FMEAs
• Proficiency applying DOE
• Skill applying SPC to control and improve processes
• Skill with statistical data analysis
• Skill with metrology and measurement best practices
• Develop and provide technical training
• Ability to work with minimal supervision
• Excellent oral and written communications skills
• Proficient maintaining and troubleshooting general electronics
• Proficient maintaining and troubleshooting general mechanical systems
• Knowledge of deposition principles and vacuum fundamentals (preferred)

Pay

Estimated salary range: $84,200 – $120,000 annually (US)

Schedule

Domestic and international travel as required.

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 27 pounds on an occasional basis
• Use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects on a frequent basis
• 20/40 vision in each eye, with or without correction
• 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 (including but not limited to steel-toed shoes, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, protective jacket or apron, and arm guards)
• May be required to wear a respirator on the production floor; ability to wear a respirator is a condition of employment and continued employment (requires little or no facial hair)