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First Solar

60 First Solar Research And Development Engineer Jobs Hiring Near You

First Solar

Development Engineer I

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$89K - $127K/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 I

Santa Clara, CA

$89K - $127K/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

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:

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 ... Reports to Development Engineer or Development Manager. * May have direct reports. Travel: * 0 ...

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 ... research workflows and future machine learning and AI adoptions. * Streamline database systems ...

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 ... research workflows and future machine learning and AI adoptions. * Streamline database systems ...

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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.
93% of people say they get paid breaks.
Based on data from 42 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between June 2025 and June 2026.

Does First Solar pay people when they’re sick?

No. Most people don’t get paid when they’re sick.
82% 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 July 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.
59% of people say they have to use vacation days when they’re out sick.
Based on data from 34 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 July 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 July 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.
79% of people report it’s easy to get time off.
Based on data from 34 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between July 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 July 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 July 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 July 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 July 2025 and July 2026.

Do people at First Solar enjoy their jobs?

Only some people enjoy their job.
46% of people report they don’t enjoy their job.
Based on data from 46 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.
58% 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 July 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 July 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, 54% of people report not being given support to advance their career here.
Based on data from 39 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between July 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 July 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.
65% 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 July 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 July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution.
Development Engineer IV - Perovskite Physics USA

Development Engineer IV - Perovskite Physics USA

First Solar

Perrysburg, OH • On-site

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago

First Solar rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 73 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

424th of 528 rated manufacturers

Job description


First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.
Basic Job Functions:
  • Serve as a senior technical contributor within First Solar's Perovskite Physics group.
  • Support development and scale-up of First Solar's next-generation perovskite technology through physics-based mechanism understanding, advanced metrology development, and root-cause analysis.
  • Operate at the intersection of materials science, device physics, and pilot manufacturing engineering, acting as a technical leader in defining measurement strategies, correlating metrology data to performance and reliability, and resolving complex process-structure-property relationships.
  • Responsible for developing and deploying manufacturing-relevant characterization and diagnostics for perovskite pilot line, enabling improved process control, faster learning cycles, and robust yield and performance outcomes.
  • The position requires strong independent problem-solving capability, deep technical expertise, and close collaboration with cross-functional process, equipment, and integration teams.

Education/Experience:
  • Bachelor's Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 20 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer III at First Solar.
  • Master's Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 15 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer III at First Solar.
  • Ph.D. in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 10 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer III at First Solar.

Required Skills/Competencies:
  • Advanced understanding of optoelectronic device physics and correlation of physical measurements to IV, QE, reliability, and low-level device metrics.
  • Strong understanding of perovskite materials physics, including crystallization behavior, defect states, interfaces, and degradation mechanisms.
  • Demonstrated expertise in advanced materials and device characterization and data-driven root-cause analysis.
  • Advanced skills in data analysis, experimental design, and statistical interpretation.
  • Physics-driven problem solver with strong mechanistic intuition.
  • Comfortable with ambiguity and early-stage technologies with an ability to reduce ambiguity through structured, physics-based problem solving.
  • Strong experimental rigor and data discipline.
  • High ownership mindset; capable of independently driving complex technical programs with company-level impact.
  • Independently defines technical approaches within program objectives.
  • Strong cross-functional communicator.
  • Commitment to safety, quality, and operational excellence.

Preferred Skills/Competencies:
  • Hands-on experience with inline or high-throughput metrology in a manufacturing or pilot-line setting.
  • Experience supporting technology transfer from R&D to manufacturing.
  • Record of publications, patents, or externally recognized technical contributions in perovskite photovoltaics.

Essential Responsibilities:
  • Develop and validate mechanistic understanding linking perovskite deposition, crystallization, interfaces, and post-processing to device-level electrical and environmental performance.
  • Perform deep root cause investigations of yield loss, efficiency variability, and reliability excursions using metrology data, physics-based models, and cross-functional inputs.
  • Lead failure analysis and excursion response efforts, including hypothesis generation, experimental design, data interpretation, and corrective action definition.
  • Design, develop, and deploy advanced inline, at-line, and offline metrology methods to monitor perovskite film formation, interfaces, microstructure, defects, and uniformity and their correlations with device performance and stability.
  • Lead qualification of novel optical, spectroscopic, electrical, and structural characterization techniques suitable for pilot-line operation (e.g., hyperspectral imaging, PL/EL spectral analysis and mapping, Raman, including in-situ diagnostics).
  • Define metrology requirements and specifications to enable process window characterization, early defect detection, and statistical process control.
  • Partner with process development, equipment, and integration teams to translate lab- and pilot-scale characterization techniques into manufacturing-relevant, scalable measurement solutions.
  • Support DOE development, parametric studies, and technology readiness assessments tied to pilot production goals.
  • Serve as a subject-matter expert in perovskite photovoltaic device physics, metrology, and physics-based diagnostics for internal stakeholders.
  • Mentor junior engineers and scientists in experimental rigor, data analysis, and problem-solving methodologies.
  • Author and review technical reports, internal white papers, and invention disclosures; contribute to IP generation where applicable.
  • Collaborate with external partners, national labs, and equipment vendors.
  • Comply with Company's Environmental, Quality, Safety or any other policies that have been enforced. Contributes to continuous improvement of said policies.
  • Other duties as assigned.
  • Job description subject to change at any time.

Reporting Relationships:
  • Reports to Development Manager.
  • May have direct reports.

Travel:
  • Less than 10% travel.

Estimated Salary Range:
  • $99,600-$142,000 Annually.

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 37 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 both eyes together, 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, and a condition of employment and continued employment (requires little or no facial hair) for those requiring respirator use.

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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