First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.
Basic Job Functions:
Responsible for introducing new manufacturing systems and enhancing the existing manufacturing system (Safety, Quality, Controls, and Cost) for the shift operation to ensure standardization across all Perrysburg, OH plants.
Education/Experience:
- At least 2 years of First Solar manufacturing leadership experience (such as Technical Supervisor, Manufacturing Specialist, Operations Engineer) preferred.
- Minimum 3 years of relevant manufacturing experience required.
- Good record in driving continuous improvement projects in operation excellence.
- Six Sigma Green Belt Certification Preferred
- Bachelors/Masters/PhD Degree in Engineering Discipline or Physical Science Field or equivalent.
- Degree in Manufacturing System preferred.
Required Skills/Competencies:
- Behavioral:
- Possesses strong leadership skills.
- Demonstrates excellent communications skills.
- Possesses excellent organizational and project management skills.
- Demonstrates strong analytical and strategic thinking.
- Possesses proven interpersonal skills.
- Team oriented.
- Technical:
- Well-versed in the manufacturing process flow.
- Knowledgeable of the PDCA cycle (Plan-Do-Check-Act)
- Proficient use of all Microsoft Office suite programs.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Develops new or improves existing manufacturing systems for sustainability for the manufacturing Coating, Sub-module, Finishing, and Boxing operations.
- Designs, delivers, and maintains manufacturing system and process to meet ISO 9000 requirement for the Perrysburg Site.
- Works closely with the Shift Managers, Supervisors, and relevant supporting departments to improve the manufacturing systems and process.
- Performs close loop checks on the existing Manufacturing systems (safety, quality, productivity, NPI, and controls) assessing effectiveness and practicality.
- Plans and recommends suitable manufacturing systems to be introduced to the manufacturing facility.
- Ensures that all existing manufacturing systems are standardized across all 4 shifts and enhanced to all plants within First Solar Facilities.
- Records data and analyzes information pertaining to manufacturing systems for improvements or proliferation.
- Undertakes the proliferation of established manufacturing systems in terms of safety, quality, productivity, and controls for the existing shifts.
- Identifies opportunities to improve the existing manufacturing systems and to make the necessary recommendations to the manufacturing department for changes.
- Ensures that all manufacturing systems implemented are documented properly and archived for future reference or usage.
- Performs research of relevant industry manufacturing systems to recommend suitable systems for implementation.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Job description subject to change at any time.
Reporting Relationships:
- This position reports to the Manager - Operations Integration.
- This position may have direct reports.
Travel:
- Up to 10% of global travel is expected.
Estimated Salary Range:
- $68,800-98,000
US Physical Requirements:
Manufacturing & Maintenance Physical Requirements:
- Will sit, stand, or walk short distances for up to 12 hours per day.
- Will climb stairs 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 27 pounds of force on an occasional basis.
- Will push or pull up to 10 pounds of force on a frequent basis.
- Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects repetitively on a frequent basis.
- 20/40 vision in each eye (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 be able to 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, hearing protection).
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
- Minimum 3 years of relevant manufacturing experience
- Bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD degree in engineering, physical science, or equivalent
- Strong leadership, communication, organizational, project management, analytical, strategic thinking, interpersonal, and teamwork skills
- Knowledge of manufacturing process flow
- Knowledge of the PDCA cycle
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
- Demonstrated experience driving continuous improvement projects in operational excellence
- At least 2 years of First Solar manufacturing leadership experience
- Six Sigma Green Belt certification
- Degree in Manufacturing Systems
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.









