Engineer- Development I (Reliability Physics)

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.
• Primary/secondary ownership of projects or functional areas within the group.
• Plan, execute and characterize development engineering experiments in the laboratory and manufacturing environment designed to identify potential reliability concerns with experimental prototype devices as well as current module technology.
• Conduct Accelerated Life Testing on both test structures and modules in the laboratory and in the field.
• Apply statistics and engineering methods to optimize workflow and effectiveness.
• May develop new test equipment and test structures and write computer software for data analysis and/or data acquisition systems.

Education/Experience:

• Associate's degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 10 years of relevant technical experience or 3 years of experience as an Associate Engineer at First Solar.
• Bachelor's Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 3 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as an Associate Engineer at First Solar.
• Master's Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 1 year of relevant technical experience or 1 year of experience as an Associate Engineer at First Solar.

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Skills and hands-on experience in execution of experiments in laboratory or manufacturing environment.
• Analytical skills to interpret data and derive conclusions with formal training or classes in statistical analysis methods.
• Ability to make and execute detailed plans to achieve objectives with a strong sense of ownership.
• Exposure to general reliability analysis methods.
• Experience manipulating large data sets.
• Ability to communicate clearly with individuals and groups. Can produce clear data, presentations, and reports, as well as oral presentations.
• Exposure to semiconductors, PV device physics, and thin film PV technology is preferred.
• Exposure to the function, characteristics, measurement, and application of PV modules is a plus.
• Intermediate knowledge of JMP, Minitab, or similar statistical software suites and experience working with databases.
• Good communication skills across organizations.
• Good interpersonal skills, including working with cross-functional teams. Other behaviors include integrative thinking, results oriented, self-awareness, mentoring others, and willingness to make changes.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Identify opportunities for improvement in solar cell efficiency, material selection and process/equipment design through engineering, scientific or empirical methods.
• Apply state of the art techniques for product failure analysis, statistical analysis of data or execution/planning of experiments. Develop a work plan that can address problems with well understood solution paths.
• Effective communicator and coordinator within the organization. Effective team member that can support cross-functional projects and take ownership of sub-deliverables.
• May direct the work of hourly associates.
• Complies with Company's Environmental, Quality, Safety or any other policies that have been enforced.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Job description subject to change at any time.
• Plan and conduct module and component ALT, HALT, HASS and other characterization tests.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams for characterization and failure mode identification.
• Develop automated routines for data reduction, analysis, and reporting.
• Initiate and collaborate on test equipment improvement projects.
• May contribute to determine and evaluate material specification for improved performance. May contribute to determine and evaluate tool/equipment specifications.
• Works under minimal supervision. May assist in orienting, mentoring, and training colleagues.

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports to Reliability Engineering Manager

Travel:

• No travel is required.

Estimated Annual Salary Range:

• $64,000 - $85,000 Estimated Annual Salary

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 up to 37 pounds on a frequent basis.
• Will push or pull up to 27 pounds of force 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)

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.