First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.
Basic Job Functions:
- Manages the Plant Manufacturing Submodule and Finishing Engineering Department. Leads process improvement projects required in the manufacturing areas of the plant. Implements team building efforts in order to reach established goals and objectives.
Education/Experience:
- Eight or more years’ experience in engineering in a manufacturing environment with demonstrated ability to manage others successfully and to be able to motivate them to accomplish objectives and gain desired results.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering disciplines or the equivalent.
- Master’s degree in specialty area highly desired.
Required Skills/Competencies:
- Proven Organizational and Managerial Skills.
- Proven understanding of continuous improvement/quality tools, Robust Engineering/Design of experiments, SPC 6 Sigma and FMEA.
- Proven problem-solving skills.
- Possess excellent data handling skills.
- Excellent understanding of computer applications.
- Excellent understanding of Engineering Techniques and Practices.
- Photovoltaic experience a must.
- Good communications skills.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Responsible to manage the development, continuous improvement and documentation of Robust Solar Module manufacturing processes in a cost efficient manner.
- Responsible to oversee the handling of module data regarding module reliability, conversion efficiency and manufacturing yield.
- Responsible to interface with manufacturing to reduce material and labor content while meeting production schedules.
- Assists in the development of the department and project budgets (including cost projections) and ensures adherence to the same.
- Presents project and program status reports.
- Interfaces with other Company and Customer Representatives as required.
- Ensures adherence to all safety and environmental procedures and housekeeping standards.
- Responsible for effective communication levels and fosters team building.
- Mentors and coaches’ engineers.
- Ensure waste materials are discarded in their designated containers.
- Ensure hazardous waste containers stay closed except when adding or removing waste
- Other duties as assigned.
- Job description subject to change at any time.
Reporting Relationships:
- This position reports to the Director- Manufacturing Engineering.
- This position works directly with plant peer Manufacturing Managers.
- This position has 812 direct reports and approximately 50 2nd level reports.
Travel:
0% - 5% (On occasion/as needed for training, etc.)
Estimated Salary Range:
- $131,200-$187,000 Annually.
US Physical Requirements:
- Will sit, stand or walk short distances for up to the entire duration of a shift.
- Will climb stairs on an occasional basis.
- Will lift, push or pull up to 37 pounds on an occasional basis.
- Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects on a frequent basis.
- 20/40 vision in both eyes together, with or without correction, is required.
- Must be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures.
- May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis.
- May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis.
- Ability to wear personal protective equipment is required (including but not limited to; steel-toed shoes, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, protective jacket or apron and arm guards, and a condition of employment and continued employment (requires little or no facial hair) for those requiring respirator use.
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
- Eight or more years' engineering experience in a manufacturing environment with management experience
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent
- Master's degree in specialty area
- Photovoltaic experience
- Understanding of continuous improvement/quality tools (SPC, Six Sigma)
- Experience with FMEA and Design of Experiments (Robust Engineering)
- Proven organizational and managerial skills
- Strong problem-solving and data handling skills
- Excellent understanding of computer applications and engineering techniques/practices
- Good communications skills
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.


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