First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.
Basic Job Functions:
Provide technical and professional leadership to the maintenance team and manage the engineering aspect of the maintenance process.
Use necessary engineering tools and programs to drive improvements and rate the effectiveness of repair works.
Maintain preventive maintenance (PM) records and other pertinent data that is deemed necessary to do a complete job.
Publish information that has been reviewed, in a report format, on a routine basis.
Work on cross functional teams to improve Throughput.
Streamline and improve PMs to continuously improve the availability of equipment.
Maintain the stock of relevant spare parts.
Education/Experience:
- Candidates must meet one of the following criteria to qualify:
- Associate’s Degree in an engineering or similar technical discipline combined with
- 3 or more years of First Solar technical experience, or
- 6 or more years of technical work experience in a Manufacturing setting.
- Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, or Ph.D. in an engineering or similar technical discipline with no experience required. Technical work experience in combination with a degree is preferred.
- The following certifications and experience can be used in lieu of the above degree requirements. In each case the candidate must demonstrate skills and experience in peer training/mentorship and basic data analysis
- 3 or more years’ experience as a First Solar Maintenance Technician III, MET III, EPT III or Equipment Coordinator III, or
- Journeyman certification in a relevant technical discipline such as Machinist or Electrician combined with 5 or more years industry experience at Journeyman level, or
- 10 or more years’ experience as a highly skilled technician/specialist in a relevant discipline. Industry-recognized certification strongly preferred.
Required Skills/Competencies:
- Strong analytical, communication and organizational skills.
- Proficient use of all Microsoft Office suite programs.
- Knowledge of Engineering Principals and Practices.
- Knowledge of Manufacturing processes.
- Good knowledge of Problem-Solving Tools such as 7 Steps and DMAIC (6Sigma).
- Knowledge of Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) software, preferably with IBM/MRO Maximo.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Arrange, participate and implement PM-Planning.
- Create and update equipment Preventive Maintenance Work Instructions, equipment specifications, equipment trouble shooting BKM and good manufacturing OPL.
- Continuously improve spare part availability.
- Provide training where applicable to Maintenance team.
- Responsible to monitor long term equipment down issues and assist or lead with resolution.
- Responsible for interfacing with other cross functional groups to identify, brainstorm, create and implement equipment improvement projects.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Job description subject to change at any time
Reporting Relationships:
This position could have direct reports.
Travel:
Domestic and international travel as required.
Estimated Salary Range:
$62,500-89,000
US Physical Requirements:
- Will sit, stand, or walk short distances for up to 12 hours per day.
- Will climb stairs or steps on a frequent basis.
- Will lift up to 58 pounds on an occasional basis, according to work instruction.
- Will lift up to 37 pounds on a frequent basis.
- Will push or pull up to 50 pounds of force on an occasional basis.
- Will push or pull up to 37 pounds of force on a frequent basis.
- Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects on a frequent basis.
- 20/40 vision in both eyes (with or without correction) and the ability to distinguish between red, yellow, and green is required.
- May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis.
- May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis.
- Must comply with all safety standards and procedures.
- Ability to wear personal protective equipment is required (including, but not limited to: steel-toed shoes, cut-resistant gloves, jackets, aprons &/or arm guards, safety glasses or goggles, hearing protection & respirators) as 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 band 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
- Associate's degree in engineering or a similar technical discipline plus 3 or more years of First Solar technical experience, or 6 or more years of technical work experience in a manufacturing setting
- Bachelor's, master's, or Ph.D. degree in engineering or a similar technical discipline; no experience required
- Alternatively, 3 or more years as a First Solar Maintenance Technician III, MET III, EPT III, or Equipment Coordinator III
- Alternatively, journeyman certification in a relevant technical discipline plus 5 or more years of industry experience at journeyman level
- Alternatively, 10 or more years of experience as a highly skilled technician or specialist in a relevant discipline
- Peer training or mentorship experience and basic data analysis skills for certification-based alternatives
- Strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite programs
- Knowledge of engineering principles and practices
- Knowledge of manufacturing processes
- Knowledge of problem-solving tools such as 7 Steps and DMAIC (Six Sigma)
- Knowledge of CMMS software, preferably IBM Maximo
- Industry-recognized certification
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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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage is available from day one and is described as comprehensive, including medical, dental, and vision. Wellness resources, fitness centers, and employee assistance further bolster the package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Structured 2-2-3 schedules for many production roles yield substantial days off alongside paid leave. This arrangement provides meaningful time away from work.
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Strong & Reliable Incentives — Continuous plant operations create frequent overtime opportunities, including enhanced holiday pay, which can significantly boost earnings. Yearly bonuses are also part of total compensation.
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.









