First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.
Basic Job Functions:
Lead tool selection, installation, qualification, and continuous improvement activities for PVD deposition processes including thermal evaporation and plasma-based deposition processes, under the oversight of respective Area Manager or Sr. Managers to meet targets. Define equipment and process requirements, develop scorecards and screen vendor proposals, install and qualify new process equipment. Initiate and lead complex equipment or process changes following CMS stage-gate process and work with Global Alignment Team counterparts to successfully replicate the changes. Manage and lead a group of engineers and/or technicians either directly or through the course of a project/assignment. Work on cross functional teams with stakeholders like Development Engineering, Global Supply Chain or Quality & Reliability to resolve technical problems, identify and mitigate manufacturing risks, and develop robust manufacturing processes. 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:
- MS Degree in a technical discipline with 2 years as First Solar Manufacturing Engineer II or 4 years engineering experience in a manufacturing setting or
- PhD Degree in a technical discipline with 2 years as First Solar Manufacturing Engineer II or 3 years of experience in a manufacturing setting.
- Prefer candidate with extensive experience with thermal evaporation of films (at low temperatures) as well as experience with design and operation of linear/ point source evaporators. Candidate will usually have a broad engineering and technology background.
- Fluent with statistical analysis methods and tools and structured problem solving; Adept at analyzing big datasets using tools like JMP or Minitab.
- Experience in Photovoltaics Manufacturing Flow or Technology Development experience in the broad fields of Thin Film Vacuum Deposition, Glass Therm-Mechanical Processing, Module Packaging and Structural Development, Semiconductor Processes, Electrical Device Integration.
- Familiarity with using CFD/FEM to model evaporators would be beneficial.
- Good familiarity with Materials Analysis methods like optical and x-ray spectroscopy, microscopy and electrical characterization to be able to leverage the same in troubleshooting.
- Demonstrated ability to lead small technical teams including goal setting and performance management.
Required Skills/Competencies:
- Provide technical leadership.
- Demonstrated proficiency with applying Robust Engineering.
- Excellent Structured Problem-Solving Method (such as DMAIC).
- Outstanding knowledge of manufacturing processes.
- Outstanding skill in generating and maintaining FMEAs.
- Demonstrated proficiency using DOE, applying SPC to control and improve processes, and outstanding skills with Statistical Data Analysis.
- Outstanding knowledge of DFSS principles.
- Outstanding skill in Metrology and measurement best practices.
- Must develop direct reports and provide technical training.
- Ability to work with minimal supervision.
- Excellent oral and written communications skills.
- Proficient in maintaining and troubleshooting General Electronics.
- Proficient in maintaining and troubleshooting General Mechanical Systems.
- Preferred to have knowledge of deposition principles and vacuum fundamentals.
- Able to lead the creation of and improvements to PFMEA.
- Demonstrated expertise in driving projects through Change Management systems.
- Demonstrated expertise in engineering test/experimental design, execution, and interpretation of results.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Develop process KPI/KPO list and detailed tool specifications for evaporation and plasma-based deposition processes.
- Use scorecard approach to screen vendors for new prototypes, first and second of a kind high volume tools.
- Responsible to develop, continually improve, and document robust solar module manufacturing processes to achieve the highest product performance in a cost-efficient manner.
- Adheres to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards.
- Provide mentorship and project oversight to assist in the development of junior engineers.
- Resolve day-to-day production, equipment, and process problems.
- Identify training needs and develop and provide training to other engineers, engineering technicians, and production associates.
- Develop Process Control Plans and Preventive Maintenance Plans.
- Responsible for data collection relating to daily equipment performance and associated product performance.
- Responsible to interface with internal associates and supplier representatives as required to complete assigned projects.
- Lead Teams through Continuous Improvement Activities and structured problem solving.
- 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.
- Works with minimal supervision.
- 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:
- This position will not have direct reports.
Travel:
Estimated Salary Range:
- $82,100-$117,000 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 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.
