First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.
Basic Job Functions:
- The operations engineer will serve as the operational process, system and cost expert for the reliability team. The operation engineer will also serve as a project manager for expansions.
Education/Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree with 3-10 years manufacturing experience, or
- 10+ years of manufacturing experience.
Required Skills/Competencies:
- Strong analytical ability.
- Problem solving.
- Communication skills.
- Training skills.
- Operational aptitude.
Essential Responsibilities:
- TOC Champion
- Drive lab configurations and manning requirements.
- Perform cycle time analyses.
- Team with Rel Eng to prioritize and drive projects based on key metric impact.
- Flow Maximization.
- Advisor on throughput decisions.
- Cost Analysis
- Perform cost analyses for decision making.
- Decision Matrixes.
- Justifications for capital equipment.
- Analyze and advise cost benefit opportunities.
- Operational System Expert
- Critical Chain.
- Maximo.
- SAS.
- Reliability Metrics.
- Process documentation
- Technical writing for proper process documentation.
- Continuous Improvement
- Project participant/leader for operational improvement projects.
- Datamining
- Establish/Maintain operational data.
- Extract/transform data to support flow decisions.
- Report findings.
- Lab Operations
- Will assist with testing operations as required.
- Ability to drive a forklift when required.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Job description subject to change at any time.
Reporting Relationships:
- This position reports to the Operations/Engineering Manager.
- This position may have direct reports.
Travel:
5% - 10%
Estimated Salary Range:
- $62,500-$89,000 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 each eye separately and both eyes (with or without correction), the ability to distinguish between red, yellow, and green and peripheral vision >70 degrees 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 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 with 3–10 years of manufacturing experience
- 10+ years of manufacturing experience as an alternative to a bachelor's degree
- Strong analytical ability
- Problem-solving skills
- Communication skills
- Training skills
- Operational aptitude
- Ability to drive a forklift when required
- Ability to comply with physical requirements and wear required personal protective equipment
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.








