Engineer- Quality III USA

Basic Job Functions: 

Defines, implements, and monitors quality systems to ensure the quality of materials and products produced meet required specifications.   Manages product and process quality systems according to company policy and ISO Standards, facilitating internal and external customer satisfaction.  Analyzes metric, audit, inspection and manufacturing data to drive detection, containment, prevention and continuous improvement activities.  Leads cross-functional teams of peers to resolve of quality issues.  Strongly advocates for quality within the organization.

Education/Experience:

• Associate’s degree in a technical discipline and 5 years of relevant work experience in related quality systems processes, including ISO Quality Systems and/or use of Advance Quality Planning tools.   
• Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline with minimum 3 years of relevant work experience in related quality systems processes, including ISO Quality Systems and/or use of Advance Quality Planning tools.   
• Master’s or PhD degree in a technical discipline with minimum 2 years of relevant work experience in related quality systems processes, including ISO Quality Systems and/or use of Advance Quality Planning tools.   
• ASQ Certifications preferred (Certified Quality Engineer, Certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt, or similar) 
• Third Party Certification as ISO-9001 Auditor preferred

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Demonstrates collaborative leadership style.
• Proven Quality Management System knowledge and experience.
• Demonstrates strong passion for structured root cause investigation, identification, and permanent corrective action, implementation, and validation. 
• Demonstrates advanced proficiency and application of Advanced Quality Planning tools such as Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Control Plan, Process Mapping, Gage Studies. 
• Proven use of statistical methods (Six Sigma tools, SPC).
• Advanced experience with MS Office including Excel, Word, and Power Point.  Experience with SAP, JMP or SAS helpful, but not required.
• Successful experience in third party quality management system maintenance.  (ISO 9001).
• Earns and maintains a high level of peer respect to be a leader in critical improvement initiatives.
• Must be an advocate for quality and continual improvement within the organization.
• Evidence of effective customer interface.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Act independently and lead cross-functionally, with minimal management direction to execute the functions of the position. 
• Responsible to define, implement and monitor quality systems and product control specifications in accordance with company policy and ISO standards. 
• Apply advanced quality planning tools to drive the successful qualification of new products and processes.  Work with the product and process engineering teams to perform process interaction analysis utilizing the FMEA approach. 
• Drive identification of true root cause of non-conformances using analytical tools and processes and ensure proper permanent corrective actions are implemented, validated, and sustained.   
• Drive continuous improvement in processes and controls, focusing on the application of FMEA, process monitoring and SPC methods.
• Lead cross-functional teams to develop and execute action plans to achieve quality goals.
• Lead efforts to improve capability and capacity of manufacturing operations through new processes, tools and skills.
• Manage schedule of, and perform internal product and process audits; document and communicate results of audits.
• Develop and support new gauge methods for improvements to inspection methods and process controls. 
• Participates in the production readiness process of new process and equipment designs.
• Earn and maintain a high level of peer respect to be a leader in critical improvement initiatives.
• Must be an advocate for quality and continual improvement within the organization.
• May supervise quality technician activity.
• Adheres to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Job description subject to change at any time.

Reporting Relationships:

• This position reports to the Manager, Quality.
• This position may have direct reports.

Travel:

• 0% - 5% (On occasion/as needed for training, etc.)

Estimated Salary Range:

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.