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

Basic Job Functions:

Thin film deposition and materials research to improve conversion efficiency of thin film solar cells. Plan, execute and characterize laboratory experiments. Communicate results across organization.  Accountable for experimental conclusions and recommendations. 

Education/Experience:

Bachelor’s Degree in an engineering discipline (Chemical, preferred) or similar technical discipline (Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Surface Science, preferred) and 20 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer III at First Solar. Master’s Degree in an engineering discipline (Chemical, preferred) or similar technical discipline (Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Surface Science, preferred) and 15 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer III at First Solar. Ph.D. in an engineering discipline (Chemical, preferred) or similar technical discipline (Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Surface Science, preferred) and 10 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer III at First Solar.

Required Skills/Competencies:

Technical expert in thin film material science, vacuum technology and multiple thin film deposition techniques including sputtering, ALD, and evaporation. Expertise in thin film materials characterization and analysis (VASE, XRD, XPS, UV-Vis, etc.). Analytical and problem-solving skills.  Data analysis and technical reporting. Sense of project ownership with hands-on and can-do attitude. Strong communication skills across organizations with demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams.

Essential Responsibilities:

Responsible for materials innovation and deposition processes. Key ownership role in our depositions systems. Develop and maintain process and equipment related to materials research. Design, execute, analyze, and report experiments with necessary follow up. Identifies key process characteristics based on understanding of the material science and process technology. Improve state of the art techniques for material analysis, statistical analysis of data, or execution planning of experiments. Develop a work plan that have unclear solution paths. Effective communicator with internal and external partners and customers. Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional efforts as needed. Will train, mentor and manage junior and peers on specific subject matters. Specialist within the group. 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. Will have direct reports.

Travel:

10% Travel

Estimated Salary Range:

$94,700 - $145,000 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).

 

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.