First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.
Basic Job Functions:
- Lead development of electro-optical characterization and custom equipment capabilities to support perovskite solar cell research.
- Apply deep technical expertise, hands-on equipment development, software programming, and data analysis to deliver robust characterization infrastructure
- Enable new measurement methods, improve up time, support safe laboratory operations, and mentor others on relevant subject matter.
Experience and Education:
- Bachelor Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline, with 5 years of technical work experience as an Engineer or 2 years as a Development Engineer I with First Solar.
- Master Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline, with 3 years of technical work experience as an Engineer or 2 years as a Development Engineer I with First Solar.
- PhD in an engineering discipline without experience.
- Prior experience on tester automation is a strong plus
Required Skills:
Technical expert in electro-optical characterization, thin-film metrology and equipment development.
- Hands-on experience in design, build, and programming of custom characterization equipment and embedded controls
- Skilled in tool software development and numerical data analysis
- Demonstrated expertise in creating safe work environment
- Excellent communication skills, proven organizational skills
Prior experience in perovskite photovoltaics or optoelectronics is a plus.
Expert and hands on experience in laboratory or manufacturing environment.
In depth knowledge in several fields from the list of photovoltaic device theory, characterization techniques and other fields relevant to First Solar's technology.
Demonstrated proficiency with SolidWorks or AutoCAD strongly preferred.
Strong sense of project ownership with hands-on and can-do attitude.
Strong communication skills across organizations.
Essential Functions & Responsibilities
- Develop new metrology to enable process monitoring and advanced characterization for perovskite solar cell research.
- Implement novel characterization setups utilizing internal and external vendors
- Communicate effectively across the organization to explain existing techniques and to learn the demand for new characterization capabilities
- Supervise continues improvement and development of characterization system’s software and hardware.
- Enable a system of preventive maintenance and cross-training that allows for minimal downtime of characterization infrastructure
- Work closely with key stakeholders to enable implementation and continuous improvement of methods, recipes and data infrastructure
- May train, mentor and manage junior and peers on specific subject matters.
- Comply 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.
Estimated Salary Range:
104,910 USD per year- 149,500 USD per year
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 37 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 both eyes together, 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, and a condition of employment and continued employment (requires little or no facial hair) for those requiring respirator use.
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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a similar technical discipline plus 5 years of technical engineering experience, or 2 years as a Development Engineer I at First Solar
- Master’s degree in engineering or a similar technical discipline plus 3 years of technical engineering experience, or 2 years as a Development Engineer I at First Solar
- PhD in engineering or a similar technical discipline
- Expertise in electro-optical characterization, thin-film metrology, and equipment development
- Hands-on experience designing, building, and programming custom characterization equipment and embedded controls
- Proficiency in tool software development and numerical data analysis
- Experience creating and maintaining a safe work environment
- Excellent communication and organizational skills
- Hands-on laboratory or manufacturing environment experience
- Knowledge of photovoltaic device theory, characterization techniques, and related technical fields
- Prior experience with tester automation
- Prior experience in perovskite photovoltaics or optoelectronics
- Proficiency with SolidWorks or AutoCAD
First Solar Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about First Solar and has not been reviewed or approved by First Solar.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with a company match is included as part of a comprehensive rewards package referenced across career materials and postings. Retirement benefits are positioned alongside core medical coverage and tuition assistance as standard offerings.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave is highlighted in recruiting and corporate materials, providing defined paid time away for new parents. The inclusion of paid parental leave strengthens the family support baseline for U.S. manufacturing roles.
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Strong & Reliable Incentives — Annual and attendance bonuses and overtime opportunities are featured at certain manufacturing sites. Predictable crew schedules with built-in overtime further reinforce earnings potential in those roles.
First Solar Insights
What We Do
First Solar is a leading American solar technology company and global provider of responsibly produced eco-efficient solar modules advancing the fight against climate change. Developed at R&D labs in California and Ohio, the company’s advanced thin film photovoltaic (PV) modules represent the next generation of solar technologies, providing a competitive, high-performance, lower-carbon alternative to conventional crystalline silicon PV panels. From raw material sourcing and manufacturing through end-of-life module recycling, First Solar’s approach to technology embodies sustainability and a responsibility towards people and the planet.







