First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset. 

Please NOTE: This role will be required to spend extended time (60-80%) training in another plant, Ohio or Alabama or overseas, until permanent assignment. 

Basic Job Functions:

Manages an engineering team (semiconductor or module) comprising engineers and senior technicians. The manager sustains processes and equipment metrics in collaboration with operations team to achieve product throughput, production yield, and product performance objectives. Additionally, they are responsible for process and equipment improvement projects to meet said objectives. Fosters a working culture that exemplifies great collaboration, agility to respond to changing needs and strong accountability to own and drive results.

Education/Experience:

Eight or more years’ experience in engineering in a manufacturing environment with demonstrated ability to manage others successfully and to be able to motivate them to accomplish objectives and gain desired results. Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering disciplines or the equivalent. Master’s degree or higher in specialty area highly desired.

Required Skills/Competencies:

Proven Organizational and Managerial Skills. Proven problem-solving skills using structured approaches like 8D, 5-Why, Ishikawa etc.  Proven understanding of Continuous Improvement/Quality Tools, Robust Engineering, SPC, 6- Sigma (Green Belt or above certified) and FMEA. Possess excellent data handling skills – adept at software tools like JMP (data mining, data visualization, and engineering statistical analysis comprising hypothesis testing, ANOVA and DOE) Experience in high-volume manufacturing of semiconductors or PV strongly preferred – relevant areas include thin-film vacuum deposition, annealing, laser processing, lamination and bussing, process integration and advanced automation. Adept at communicating up and down the organizational levels.

 

Essential Responsibilities:

Accountable for meeting equipment, process and product performance goals for their area in 24x7 operations factory (OEE, Bin Wattage) Responsible for managing all equipment and processing continuous improvement activity to meet desired production output, production yield and process capability. Responsible for manufacturing-related controlled documentation that results in consistent high product quality. Responsible for equipment-related preventative maintenance documentation that results in minimal unplanned equipment down time.  Coaches their team in following manufacturing systems for change management Develops department expenses and capital budgets. Monitors and adheres to the same. Actively participates in global alignment meetings with peer managers in other plants; oversight of their engineers doing the same in respective engineering forums. Responsible for interviewing, hiring and training of manufacturing engineering and operations personnel to meet assigned objectives. Responsible for generating associate development plans comprising competency improvement, and other soft skills. Responsible for effective communication levels and fosters team building.  Role-model for safe work practices and accountable for safe equipment operation; identifies safety concerns with process and equipment and works with global teams to implement improvement plans. Other duties as assigned.

Reporting Relationships:

This position will have direct reports; this position will have matrix relationship with global technical leaders.

Travel:

5% (domestic and/or international) in steady state 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:

$122,800 - $175,000, 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 28 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.