First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.
Basic Job Functions:
Provides Program Management for complex cross-functional programs within the Research and Development arena. Independently develops CCPM project plans, interfaces with Technology, Product Management, Manufacturing, Operations, Quality and Reliability, Supply Chain, Finance, Environmental Health and Safety, and other departments as required.
Education/Experience:
- BS Degree in Engineering or related technical field, required
- BS degree Electrical, Mechanical or Chemical Engineering, preferred
- MS Degree in Engineering Discipline, preferred
- MBA will be considered, but must have technology experience
- 5 – 7 years’ experience in Program Management
- 5 years’ experience in Research and Development environment preferred. Ideally in the area of New Product / Process (development through roll out to high volume manufacturing) and change management of existing technologies and products
- 5 – 7 years’ experience using MS Project or equivalent project management tools
- PMP or PgMP certification, preferred
- 3 years TOC/CCPM Program Management experience, preferred
- Demonstrated project management skills in a technology development environment
- Intermediate understanding of Quality and Reliability requirements to bring new products or processes to manufacturing
- Intermediate to Advanced negotiation skills to obtain cooperation and commitment to project deliverables
- Intermediate to Advanced skills in all aspects of project planning and execution
- Intermediate proficiency in project management software – MS Project, Concerto an advantage
- Capable of providing program management of 3 to 5 projects simultaneously
- Communicates clearly, oral and written, across the organization
- Strong assertive characteristics to push projects through to completion
- Partners with stakeholders to coordinate resources, activities, and priorities for rapid project completion
- Excellent inter-personal skills and ability to assertively motivate project participants
- Independently builds project plans around existing technology project portfolio
- Takes ownership for overall project schedule; Drives projects to completion on-time and on-budget
- Builds interfaces between organizations to ensure successful hand-offs
- Negotiate project goals and develop mitigation plans
- Manage program review meetings, track action items, and motivate program stakeholders
- Maintain software infrastructure to keep project plans and action items up to date
Required Skills/Competencies:
Essential Responsibilities:
- Other duties as assigned.
- Job description subject to change at any time.
Reporting Relationships:
- This position will report to the Director, Program Management
- This position will not have direct reports.
Travel:
5% - 10%
Estimated Annual Salary Range:
$91,000 - $130,000 Estimated Annual Salary
US Physical Requirements:
All positions in our office require interaction with people and technology while either standing or sitting. To best service our customers, internal and external, all associates must be able to communicate face-to-face and on the phone with or without reasonable accommodation. First Solar is committed to compliance with its obligations under all applicable state and federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. In keeping with this commitment, it attempts to reasonably accommodate applicants and employees in accordance with the requirements of the disability discrimination laws. It also invites individuals with disabilities to participate in a good faith, interactive process to identify reasonable accommodations that can be made without imposing an undue hardship.
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 in engineering or a related technical field
- 5–7 years of program management experience
- 5–7 years of experience using MS Project or equivalent project management tools
- Demonstrated project management skills in a technology development environment
- Intermediate understanding of quality and reliability requirements for bringing products or processes to manufacturing
- Intermediate to advanced negotiation skills
- Intermediate to advanced project planning and execution skills
- Ability to manage 3–5 projects simultaneously
- Clear oral and written communication skills
- Strong assertiveness and ability to motivate project participants
- Electrical, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering bachelor’s degree
- Master’s degree in an engineering discipline
- MBA with technology experience
- 5 years of experience in an R&D environment
- Experience with new product or process development through high-volume manufacturing rollout
- Experience with change management for existing technologies and products
- PMP or PgMP certification
- 3 years of Theory of Constraints or Critical Chain Project Management experience
- Experience with Concerto project management software
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.









