Engineer- Manufacturing I USA

Posted 5 Hours Ago
Be an Early Applicant
2 Locations
In-Office or Remote
69K-98K Annually
Entry level
Energy • Solar • Renewable Energy
The Role
Installs and qualifies manufacturing equipment, troubleshoots production, equipment, yield, and quality issues, and implements process improvements. Designs experiments, analyzes performance data, maintains gauges and process controls, develops documentation and SOPs, supports equipment suppliers, and trains technicians and production associates. The role also maintains drawings and specifications, enforces safety standards, and may supervise employees. Travel of 10%–20%, including possible international travel, is required.
Summary Generated by Built In

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

Basic Job Functions:

Install and qualify new processing equipment.  Troubleshoot day-to-day manufacturing issues on the production line in a timely manner.  These include tool down issues, yield, quality issues and identify actions to prevent repeat issues.  Identify and/or implement system improvements that contribute to the achievement of throughput, yield and product performance goals. 

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:

  • Understands and can apply Statistical Data Analysis
  • Good problem-solving skills.
  • Understands metrology and measurement best practices.
  • Good oral and written communications skills.
  • Ability to write manufacturing documentation.
  • Understands and can apply DOE.
  • Understands and can apply Statistical Process Control (SPC).
  • Understands and can apply structured problem solving (such as DMAIC).
  • Ability to work with minimal supervision. 
  • General Electrical / Electronics.
  • General Mechanical.

Essential Responsibilities:

  • Responsible for solving day-to-day production, equipment, and process problems.
  • Install and qualify new equipment.
  • Maintain Gauges
  • Design and execute planned process experiments, collect and analyze data and report experimental results.
  • Perform data collection relating to daily equipment performance and associated product performance.
  • Interface with internal associates and supplier representatives as required to complete assigned projects.
  • Maintain effective communication with production associates and manufacturing engineers.
  • Develop and provide training to engineering technicians, and production associates.
  • Identify and implement yield and product performance improvements.
  • Develop and maintain drawings, process specifications, develop and enforce standard operating procedures.
  • Develop and maintain process control plans.
  • Adhere to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards.
  • Domestic and International travel as required.

Reporting Relationships:

  • Reports to Manager, Manufacturing Engineering – Finishing
  • May have direct Reports

Travel:

  • 10% - 20% 
  • International travel may be required.
  • If hired during plant start up, you will be expected to travel to other First Solar locations for trainin

Estimated Salary Range:

  • $68,800 - $98,000, Annually

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) and a condition of employment and continued employment (may require 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.

Skills Required

  • Associate's degree in engineering or a similar technical discipline plus 3 or more years of First Solar technical experience
  • Associate's degree in engineering or a similar technical discipline plus 6 or more years of technical manufacturing experience
  • Bachelor's, master's, or Ph.D. degree in engineering or a similar technical discipline
  • Three or more years of experience as a First Solar Maintenance Technician III, MET III, EPT III, or Equipment Coordinator III
  • Journeyman certification in a relevant technical discipline plus 5 or more years of journeyman-level industry experience
  • Ten 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
  • Industry-recognized certification
  • Ability to apply statistical data analysis, DOE, SPC, and structured problem solving such as DMAIC
  • Understanding of metrology and measurement best practices
  • General electrical/electronics and mechanical knowledge
  • Ability to write manufacturing documentation and work with minimal supervision
  • Ability to comply with safety procedures, physical requirements, and personal protective equipment requirements

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.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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

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The Company
HQ: Tempe, AZ
3,661 Employees
Year Founded: 1991

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.

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