Phd Solar Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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

Basic Job Functions:

Provide technical leadership within 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. Training sustaining team members, documenting changes, and leading troubleshooting efforts to meet project requirements. Define equipment and process requirements, refine vendor proposals, and install and qualify new process equipment. Use Problem Solving tools to identify, test, evaluate, and implement continuous improvements that contribute to the achievement of throughput, yield, and product performance goals. 

Education/Experience:

• Associate degree in a technical discipline with 2 years of experience as First Solar Manufacturing Engineer I or 3 years Engineering experience in a manufacturing setting, or 2 years Engineering experience and 6 years 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 Engineering experience in a manufacturing setting or 2 years Engineering experience and 3 years Technical experience in a manufacturing setting or 
• MS Degree in a technical discipline with 2-4 years Engineering experience in a manufacturing setting or
• PhD Degree in a technical discipline with 0-3 years Engineering experience in a manufacturing setting.

Required Skills/Competencies:

• 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 processes 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 communications skills.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office Suite programs.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Responsible to 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. Be able to act as a global Subject Matter Expert.
• Ability to work across multiple equipment sets, including deposition, thermal and metrology.
• Ability to work across multiple equipment sets, including wet film deposition, chemical systems, laser systems and metrology.
• Inject manufacturing requirements to new process development by working with development team.
• Design and execute planned process experiments, collect and analyze data, and report experimental results.
• Leads task forces and communicates 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 as required 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.
• Job description subject to change at any time.

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports to Manager, Manufacturing Engineering-Manufacturing Solutions Development.

Travel:

• 0% - 5% (On occasion/as needed for training, etc.)

Estimated Salary Range:

• $78,000 - $112,000

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 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 and thus, the ability to wear a respirator is a condition of employment and continued 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. In order 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. First Solar is committed to compliance with its obligations under all applicable state and federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. In keeping with this commitment, it attempts to reasonably accommodate applicants and employees in accordance with the requirements of the disability discrimination laws. It also invites individuals with disabilities to participate in a good faith, interactive process to identify reasonable accommodations that can be made without imposing an undue hardship.

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 are a driving force in the success of our company.