Development Engineer III - Materials Development

Job Description

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.
• Responsible for projects or functions that are highly complex, require significant innovation and critical to department objectives.
• Plan, execute and characterize development engineering experiments in the laboratory and manufacturing environment with strategic foresight. Drives actions with strategic foresight.
• Applies statistical and engineering methods to optimize organizational effectiveness. Improves methods for use by others.
  
  

Education/Experience:

• Ph.D. in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline (Polymer Science preferred) and 5 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer II at First Solar.
• Master’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline (Polymer Science preferred) and 8 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer II at First Solar.
• Bachelor’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline (Polymer Science preferred) and 10 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer II at First Solar.
• Associate’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline (Polymer Science preferred) and 20 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer II at First Solar.
  
  

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Technical expert and innovator with strong theoretical and practical knowledge in polymer chemistry, materials properties, processing techniques and structure-property relationships.
• Expert and hands-on experience in execution of experiments in laboratory or manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in materials characterization techniques including but not limited to spectroscopy, thermal analysis, mechanical analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis, rheology, microscopy, and compositional analysis.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail and ability to interpret complex data.
• Ability to make and execute detailed plans, prioritize tasks, and manage multiple projects simultaneously to achieve objectives with strong sense of ownership.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to effectively present technical information to diverse audiences.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and adapt to changing project requirements.
  
  

Essential Responsibilities:

• Apply expertise in polymer and materials sciences to develop technical solutions.
• Stay informed about the latest advancements in polymer science and related fields. Identify opportunities for innovation, cost reduction, and product enhancement through process optimization and/or material selection.
• Improve state of the art techniques for material analysis, statistical analysis of data, or execution planning of experiments. Develop a work plan that adopts clear solution paths.
• Responsible for determining and evaluating material specification for improved performance. May be responsible to determine and evaluate tool/equipment specifications.
• Drive technical conversations with internal and external partners, suppliers, and customers. Effective team member that supports cross-functional projects and takes ownership of sub-deliverables.
• May train, mentor and manage junior and peers on specific subject matters.
• Complies 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:

• 10% - 20%
  
  

Estimated Salary Range:

• $80,000 - $125,000 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).
  
  

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.