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First Solar
First Solar

60 First Solar Research And Development Engineer Jobs Hiring Near You

First Solar

Development Engineer IV

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

... First Solar). * Required Expertise: 10+ years of R&D experience in thin-film solar or a closely ... systems engineering. * Characterization Mastery: In-depth knowledge of thin-film material ...

First Solar

Development Engineer II

Perrysburg, OH · On-site

$80K - $115K/yr

First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset ... Perform material and device research to enhance thin film solar cell performance and stability and ...

First Solar

Development Engineer II

Santa Clara, CA

First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset ... Perform material and device research to enhance thin film solar cell performance and stability and ...

First Solar

Development Engineer II

Perrysburg, OH · On-site

$80K - $115K/yr

First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset ... Perform material and device research to enhance thin film solar cell performance and stability and ...

First Solar

Development Engineer IV

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

... First Solar). * Required Expertise: 10+ years of R&D experience in thin-film solar or a closely ... systems engineering. * Characterization Mastery: In-depth knowledge of thin-film material ...

First Solar

Development Engineer II

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset ... Perform material and device research to enhance thin film solar cell performance and stability and ...

First Solar

Development Engineer I

Perrysburg, OH · On-site

$68K - $98K/yr

First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset ... Plan, execute and characterize development engineering experiments in the laboratory and ...

First Solar

Development Engineer I

Perrysburg, OH

$68K - $98K/yr

First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset ... Plan, execute and characterize development engineering experiments in the laboratory and ...

First Solar

Associate Development Engineer

Perrysburg, OH · On-site

$62K - $89K/yr

First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset ... Perform material and device research to enhance thin film solar cell performance and stability and ...

First Solar

Development Engineer IV USA

Perrysburg, OH · On-site

$99K - $140K/yr

First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset ... Experience supporting technology transfer from R&D to manufacturing. Essential Responsibilities:

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First Solar Jobs Information

What is it like to work at First Solar?

First Solar is a company that values innovation, sustainability, and teamwork, fostering a collaborative and dynamic work environment. The company's structure is organized into various teams, including engineering, manufacturing, and project development, working together to design, build, and deploy solar energy systems. Working at First Solar may appeal to individuals who are passionate about renewable energy, eager to contribute to a mission-driven organization, and interested in a fast-paced and challenging work environment.

What makes First Solar an attractive place to work?

First Solar is a leading global provider of photovoltaic solar modules and solutions, recognized for its commitment to sustainability and innovation in the renewable energy sector. The company offers a dynamic work environment that fosters collaboration, creativity, and professional growth, with opportunities to work on cutting-edge projects and technologies. Joining First Solar provides a chance to contribute to the global transition to clean energy, develop new skills, and advance in a rapidly evolving industry with a strong focus on sustainability and social responsibility.

Do workers at First Solar get paid breaks?

Yes. Most people get paid breaks.
94% of people say they get paid breaks.
Based on data from 36 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2025 and July 2026.

Does First Solar pay people when they’re sick?

No. Most people don’t get paid when they’re sick.
85% of people say they wouldn’t get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.
Based on data from 39 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2025 and July 2026.

At First Solar, are sick days and vacation days separate paid time off?

Only some people have separate paid time off for sick days and vacation.
60% of people say they have to use vacation days when they’re out sick.
Based on data from 35 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2025 and July 2026.

Is the health insurance from First Solar affordable enough for their workers?

Most people say the health insurance costs are okay.
89% of people say the health insurance costs are okay
Based on data from 36 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2025 and July 2026.

Do people get paid time off at First Solar?

Most people get paid time off work.
76% of people say they get paid time off.
Based on data from 41 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2025 and July 2026.

Do workers at First Solar worry about hours?

Most people don’t worry about getting enough hours.
90% of people report they don’t worry about getting enough hours.
Based on data from 48 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and May 2026.

Do First Solar workers get to choose the shifts they work?

Some people don’t get to choose which shifts they work.
50% report that they don’t have enough control over which shifts they work.
Based on data from 42 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and May 2026.

How easy is it for First Solar workers to change shifts?

Some people find it hard to change shifts.
59% of people report that it’s hard to change shifts if they need to.
Based on data from 17 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and May 2026.

How easy is it to get time off at First Solar?

Most people find it easy to get time off.
76% of people report it’s easy to get time off.
Based on data from 34 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2025 and July 2026.

Do First Solar managers change schedules at the last minute?

Most managers don’t change people’s schedules at the last minute.
96% of people say their manager doesn’t change their shift schedule at the last minute.
Based on data from 46 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and May 2026.

Do jobs at First Solar spill into time workers aren’t paid for?

Rarely. The job doesn't usually spill into unpaid time.
11% of people report that their job takes up time that they don’t get paid for.
Based on data from 46 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and May 2026.

How easy is it to take sick days at First Solar?

Most people find it easy to take sick days.
75% of people report that it’s easy to take time off if they are sick.
Based on data from 36 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2025 and July 2026.

Is a First Solar job good for students?

Most students say this is a good place to work if you’re studying.
67% of students report this is a good place to work if you’re studying.
Based on data from 6 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2025 and March 2026.

Is working at First Solar good if you’re a parent or caregiver?

Most parents and caregivers say this is a good place to work.
68% of people who care for a child or other relative report this is a good place to work.
Based on data from 19 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and July 2026.

Do people at First Solar feel treated with respect by their managers?

Some people don’t feel treated with respect by their managers.
40% of people say they’re not treated with respect by their managers.
Based on data from 42 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2025 and July 2026.

Do people at First Solar get to take their breaks without interruption?

Only some people get breaks without interruption.
41% of people report that their breaks get interrupted.
Based on data from 39 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2025 and July 2026.

Is it stressful to work at First Solar?

Most people feel stressed out here.
73% of people say they often feel stressed out at work.
Based on data from 40 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2025 and July 2026.

Do people at First Solar enjoy their jobs?

Only some people enjoy their job.
47% of people report they don’t enjoy their job.
Based on data from 47 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and July 2026.

Do people at First Solar recommend working with their team?

Only some people recommend working with their team.
60% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.
Based on data from 43 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2025 and July 2026.

Do people get enough training when they start at First Solar?

Some people didn’t get enough training when they started.
50% of people report they didn’t get enough training when they started working here.
Based on data from 38 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2025 and July 2026.

Do people get support to advance at First Solar?

Only some people are given support to advance their career here.
In the last year, 56% of people report not being given support to advance their career here.
Based on data from 39 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2025 and July 2026.

Do people think First Solar’s headquarters understands what’s happening where they work?

Most people think headquarters doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.
87% of people think that this employer’s headquarters or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work.
Based on data from 39 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2025 and July 2026.

Do workers feel well informed about how First Solar is doing?

Only some people feel well informed about how the company is doing.
63% of people feel that they aren’t kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.
Based on data from 40 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2025 and July 2026.
What other companies are hiring for Research And Development Engineer jobs?
What are the most popular jobs at First Solar?
What are the most popular categories at First Solar?
Infographic showing various Research And Development Engineer job openings at First Solar in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Hybrid job distribution.

Development Engineer IV

First Solar

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago

First Solar rating

6.6

Company rating: 6.6 out of 10

Based on 74 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

455th of 537 rated manufacturers

Job description


First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.
Basic Job Functions:
Perform material and device research to enhance thin film solar cell performance and stability and to reduce manufacturing cost. This individual will serve as the primary Subject Matter Expert (SME) within the California Technology Center (CTC) for advanced sputtering deposition operations, vacuum technology, and thin-film materials development. Responsible for projects or functions that are highly complex, require significant innovation, and are critical to department objectives. Plan, execute, and characterize development engineering experiments in a laboratory environment with strategic foresight, operating in close alignment with Technical Fellows and senior technology leadership.
Essential Responsibilities:
  • Sputtering Technology Ownership: Assume a key ownership role in our sputtering deposition operations, vacuum systems, and next-generation PVD tool modifications within the organization.
  • Material & Process Innovation: Lead the development of innovative thin-film materials and sputtering processes to enhance the surface/interface and bulk properties required for high-efficiency, stable photovoltaic (PV) devices.
  • Solid-State Material Control: Control key material properties (phase, crystallinity, morphology, bulk/interface defect density, and band bending) via advanced material synthesis and deposition tuning.
  • Strategic Experimentation: Develop work plans that have unclear solution paths. Plan, execute, and analyze strategic development engineering experiments utilizing statistical methods and Design of Experiments (DOE).
  • Characterization & Failure Analysis: Identify opportunities for solar cell efficiency and durability improvements through advanced thin-film material analysis, device characterization, and failure analysis.
  • Specifications Management: Determine and evaluate material, target, and tool/equipment specifications for improved performance and organizational effectiveness.
  • Cross-Functional Leadership: Act as a core leader and specialist within the group. Demonstrate a strong ability to lead cross-functional efforts, drive external collaborators, and act as an effective communicator with internal and external partners.
  • Mentorship & Peer Collaboration: Collaborate with Technical Fellows and senior engineering peers to review technical risk and bridge foundational research with scalable engineering. Train, mentor, and manage junior engineers and peers on specific sputtering and vacuum technologies.
  • Compliance: Comply with Company's Environmental, Quality, Safety, or any other policies that have been enforced, and contribute to the continuous improvement of said policies.

Education/Experience:
  • Ph.D. in Materials Science, Surface Science, Chemical Engineering, Applied Physics, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline and 10 years of relevant technical experience (or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer III at First Solar).
  • Master's Degree in the same disciplines and 15 years of relevant technical experience (or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer III at First Solar).
  • Bachelor's Degree in an engineering or technical discipline and 20 years of relevant technical experience (or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer III at First Solar).
  • Required Expertise: 10+ years of R&D experience in thin-film solar or a closely related field, with a deep, authoritative knowledge of vacuum technology, sputtering deposition mechanics, plasma physics, and their direct impact on the nucleation and growth of thin films.
  • Preferred Experience: Experience with thin-film perovskite solar cells or perovskite integration in an industrial R&D environment is highly preferred but not required.

Required Skills/Competencies:
  • Sputtering & Vacuum Expert: Technical expert and innovator in physical vapor deposition (PVD), target selection, magnetron/plasma dynamics, and vacuum systems engineering.
  • Characterization Mastery: In-depth knowledge of thin-film material characterization techniques with the proven ability to interpret complex data from tools such as Ellipsometry, XRD, XPS, RAMAN, UV-Vis, AFM/STM, TEM, and SEM.
  • Problem Solving: Deep understanding of material/process/device interactions with strong analytical skills to develop practical solutions and innovations where solution paths are unclear.
  • Communication & Influence: Excellent written and oral presentation skills; demonstrated strength across organizations to produce clear data, reports, and strategic executive summaries.
  • Mindset: Strong sense of project ownership with a hands-on, agile, and "can-do" attitude. Accountable team player who is willing to work odd or long hours when pressed by critical deadlines or urgent situations.

Reporting Relationships:
  • Reports to Director, California Technology Center, or (Sr) Manager of Process Development
  • May have direct reports.
  • Up to 10% domestic or international.

Travel: TBD
Estimated Salary Range: $129,480 per year- $180,000 USD per year
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.
  • The 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).

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 is a driving force in the success of our company.

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