Manufacturing Engineer

Please note: This posting is for individuals who have graduated with their engineering or other technically relevant degree in the last calendar year or will be graduating through Spring 2024. The position will require temporary relocation to Perrysburg, OH or Trinity, AL for training in our current manufacturing facilities. Permanent assignment in New Iberia, LA will begin in Spring 2025 when the New Iberia factory begins commissioning activities.  

Basic Job Functions:

The Manufacturing Engineer will install and qualify new process equipment as well as troubleshoot day-to-day manufacturing issues on the production line in a timely manner.  These include tool-down issues, yield, quality issues, and identifying actions to prevent repeat issues.  Identifying and/or implementing system improvements that contribute to the achievement of throughput, yield, and product performance goals.

Education/Experience:

Candidates must meet one of the following criteria to qualify:

• Associate’s Degree in an engineering or similar technical discipline combined with
  • 3 or more years of First Solar technical experience, or
  • 6 or more years of technical work experience in a Manufacturing setting.
• Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, or Ph.D. in an engineering or similar technical discipline with no experience required. Technical work experience in combination with a degree is preferred.
• The following certifications and experience can be used in lieu of the above degree requirements.  In each case the candidate must demonstrate skills and experience in peer training/mentorship and basic data analysis 
  • 3 or more years’ experience as a First Solar Maintenance Technician III, MET III, EPT III or Equipment Coordinator III or
  • Journeyman certification in a relevant technical discipline such as Machinist or Electrician combined with 5 or more years industry experience at Journeyman level or
  • 10 or more years’ experience as a highly skilled technician/specialist in a relevant discipline.  Industry-recognized certification strongly preferred.

Required Skills/Competencies:

Manufacturing Engineer Required Skills:

• Understands and can apply Statistical Data Analysis.
• Good problem-solving skills.
• Understands metrology and measurement best practices.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to write manufacturing documentation.

Manufacturing Engineer Desired Skills:

• Understands and can apply DOE.
• Understands and can apply Statistical Process Control (SPC).
• Understands and can apply structured problem-solving (such as DMAIC).
• Ability to work with minimal supervision. 
• General Electrical / Electronics.
• General Mechanical.
• Previous experience in one or more of the following process areas:  Vacuum Deposition/ Thermal/ Laser/ Wetline/ Automation/ Adhesive/ Welding/ Material Handling/ Robotics/ Vision Systems/ PLC Programming among others.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Responsible for solving day-to-day production, equipment, and process problems.
• Install and qualify new equipment.
• Maintain Gauges.
• Design and execute planned process experiments, collect and analyze data and report experimental results.
• Perform data collection 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.
• Develop and provide training to engineering technicians, and production associates.
• Identify and implement yield and product performance improvement.
• Develop and maintain drawings, process specifications, and develop and enforce standard operating procedures.
• Develop and maintain process control plans.
• Adhere to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Job description subject to change at any time.

Reporting Relationships:

• This position could have direct reports.

Travel:

• Domestic and international travel as required.
• If hired to a new plant prior to plant start, associate will be required to spend extended time (60-80%) in another plant in either Ohio or Alabama for training until their assigned plan starts equipment installation.

Estimated Salary Range:

• $63,900.00 - $91,000.00, Annually

US Physical Requirements:

Hybrid 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).