First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.
Basic Job Functions:
Engineers software, configures high-level software packages, and provides escalated support for First Solar’s Manufacturing Systems and data architectures.
Education/Experience:
Qualified candidates must meet one of the following criteria:
- Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, with three years of related work experience or two years of First Solar IT Experience.
- Associate’s degree in Information Technology, with four years of related work experience or three years of First Solar IT Experience.
- Six years equivalent external work experience or four years of First Solar IT experience.
- 2+ years on software development teams using Microsoft .NET technologies.
- 2+ years developing in Microsoft C#
- 2+ years writing SQL queries (SQL Server preferred)
- 6+ months of experience interfacing with manufacturing control systems, shop floor interface/automation systems, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), or OPC data transfer is a plus.
Required Skills/Competencies:
- Troubleshooting and programming software solutions based on multi-tiered architecture using C#, XAML, ASP.NET, JavaScript, T-SQL, and MSMQ.
- Designing data structures and using/configuring/querying SQL Server databases.
- Experience with Service Fabric is preferred.
- Experience with SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) is preferred.
- Experience with Angular, AngularJS, and/or React is preferred.
- Experience with Azure DevOps, Git, YAML, and deploying via Pipelines is preferred.
- Experience with Digital Transformation, Industry 4.0 is a plus.
- Proven experience with software development life cycle, Agile teams, change management process, and version control packages.
- Object oriented languages.
- Proven ability and knowledge of computer technology.
- Excellent communication and organization skills.
- Logical troubleshooting mindset.
- Proven interpersonal and collaboration skills.
- Global experience providing tier three support in a manufacturing environment is a plus.
Essential Responsibilities:
Primary Responsibilities:
- Develops new software systems and modifies existing ones for First Solar’s manufacturing, reliability, and R&D processes.
- Integrates shop floor systems with custom-developed and off-the-shelf solutions.
- Is responsible for hypercare and expert-level support on global applications for manufacturing, database, and related systems.
- Assists administrators (server admins, network admins, DB admins) in troubleshooting enterprise-level problems.
- Documents recurring issues and present possible solutions.
- Interfaces with other departments and supplier representatives.
- Exercises effective communications levels and fosters team building.
- Adheres to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Job description subject to change at any time.
Key Competencies:
- Undertakes analytical activities and delivers analysis outputs, in accordance with customer needs and conforming to agreed standards.
- Grows knowledge of specific technical specialisms, provides detailed advice regarding their application, and executes specialized tasks. The specialism can be any area of information or communication technology, technique, method, product, or application area.
- Within given research goals, builds on and refines appropriate outline ideas for research, i.e. evaluation, development, demonstration and implementation. Uses available resources to gain an up-to-date knowledge of any relevant IT field.
- Maintains awareness of opportunities provided by new technology to address challenges or to enable new ways of working. Within own sphere of influence, works to further organizational goals, using emerging technologies and products. Contributes to briefings and presentations about their relevance and potential value to the organization.
- Applies data analysis and data modeling techniques to establish, modify or maintain a data structure and its associated components (entity descriptions, relationship descriptions, attribute definitions).
- Undertakes development of simple applications using simple templates and tools. Assists as part of a team on design of components of larger systems. Produces detailed designs including for example: physical data flows, file layouts, common routines and utilities, program specifications or prototypes, and backup, recovery, and restart procedures.
- Translates and implements simple development project requirements into physical database structures. Assesses proposed changes to object and data structures and implements these changes in physical databases. Assists in database management system support activities for operational database systems.
- Designs, codes, tests, correct, and documents simple programs, and assists in the implementation of software which forms part of a properly engineered information or communications system.
- Applies tools and methods to identify the user experience, user’s characteristics and tasks, and the technical, organizational, and physical environment in which the product or system will operate.
- Accepts software modules from software developers, and produces software builds for loading onto the target environment. Configures the hardware environment, produces integration test specifications, and conducts tests, recording details of any failures and carrying out fault diagnosis.
- Uses the tools and techniques for specific areas of release and deployment activities. Administers the recording of activities, logging of results and documents technical activity undertaken. May carry out early life support activities such as providing support advice to initial users.
- Assists in the investigation and resolution of issues relating to applications. Assists with specified maintenance procedures.
- Investigates problems in systems and services. Assists with the implementation of agreed remedies and preventative measures.
- Uses appropriate methods and tools in the development, maintenance, control, and distribution of quality and environmental standards.
Reporting Relationships:
- Reports to the Manufacturing Systems Lead or Manager
- This position will not have direct reports.
Travel:
Estimated Salary Range:
US Physical Requirements:
Office Physical Requirements:
All positions in our office require interaction with people and technology while either standing or sitting. 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 is a driving force in the success of our company.
