Job Description
Illuminate USA, located in the heart of Central Ohio, is transforming solar panel manufacturing from our cutting-edge facility in Pataskala. As a new standalone joint venture established by two global leaders in renewable energy, we’ve rapidly grown to over 1,600 associates and are now fully operational in our 1.1 million-square-foot factory. Our vision is to establish one of the largest solar panel manufacturing operations in the Western Hemisphere.
This is an exciting time to join Illuminate USA as we continue to grow and innovate. We’re not just building solar panels, we’re building a team of dedicated, passionate associates eager to make a real impact. If you’re looking to be part of a collaborative, people-focused, and forward-thinking workplace, we want to hear from you!
We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and continuous opportunities for career growth. Come join us on this journey to create a brighter, more sustainable future in the Columbus area.
Summary:
We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Senior Program Engineer to join our team at our new facility in Columbus, Ohio. In this role, you will lead and manage the organization's change management process, ensuring smooth and effective implementation of change initiatives. Responsibilities include overseeing change requests, facilitating cross-functional meetings, conducting risk assessments, and supporting communication and training efforts to drive alignment and adoption across teams.
Responsibilities:
Develop, maintain and update the Change Management system, ensuring all change requests are accurately logged, tracked and managed.
Schedule and facilitate Change Advisory Board (CAB) meetings, documenting decisions and ensuring action items are followed up.
Assist in the development and execution of communication plans related to changes, ensuring stakeholders are informed and aligned.
Conduct risk assessments on proposed changes, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and strategies.
Collaborate closely with cross-functional departments to ensure changes are implemented effectively and on time.
Assist with post-change analysis to evaluate the success of changes and ensure meeting the intended objectives.
Maintain accurate and comprehensive documentation for all changes, including change logs, approval records, and post-change reviews.
Provide reports and metrics to track the status of change requests and outcomes.
Continuously assess and optimize change management processes for efficiency and effectiveness.
Support the creation of training materials and conduct training sessions for associates regarding change management.
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field in the Semiconductor, Electronics, Solar or Automotive industry.
Minimum 8 years working experience and 4+ years of experience in change management or program management-related roles.
Familiarity with Change Management and Phased Gate Programs (e.g., Stage Gate, New Product Intro, Advanced Product Quality Planning, etc.).
Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and efficiently prioritize requests to meet deadlines.
Fluent in English and Chinese, excellent communication skills, both written and verbal (preferred)
Ability to collaborate effectively with global teams, including occasional meetings with Asian partners outside of regular working hours.
Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.)
Basic project management knowledge or certification is a plus.
At Illuminate USA, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.
We proudly embrace equal opportunity for all, ensuring that all qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Your unique background and experiences are valued here, as we believe they strengthen our team and drive our mission forward.
Illuminate is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related field, preferably within the semiconductor, electronics, solar, or automotive industry
- At least 8 years of work experience
- At least 4 years of experience in change management or program management-related roles
- Familiarity with change management and phased-gate programs, such as Stage Gate, New Product Introduction, or Advanced Product Quality Planning
- Strong organizational and time-management skills, including the ability to prioritize multiple requests and meet deadlines
- Ability to collaborate effectively with global teams and attend occasional meetings outside regular working hours
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
- Fluency in English and Chinese
- Basic project management knowledge or certification
Illuminate USA Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Illuminate USA and has not been reviewed or approved by Illuminate USA.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is considered competitive for the area, often described as above-average for local production roles and fair for the work performed. Opportunities for overtime further enhance earnings for those who want it.
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Healthcare Strength — Medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage are included, with eligibility beginning shortly after hire and indications of quick start in some cases. This breadth of core health coverage strengthens the total rewards baseline.
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Parental & Family Support — Company-paid maternity leave at no cost to associates is explicitly provided. This family-oriented benefit adds tangible support beyond base pay.
Illuminate USA Insights
What We Do
Illuminate USA is an American leader in advanced clean energy manufacturing, dedicated to delivering cutting-edge solar panel technology and sustainable energy solutions. With a focus on innovation, Illuminate USA empowers a dynamic workforce to drive progress in the renewable energy sector. Based in Pataskala, Ohio, Illuminate USA operates a 1.1 million-square-foot facility, employing more than 1,400 associates across eight production lines, six of which are currently operational, with two more to be added by the end of 2024. At full capacity, the facility will produce more than 9.2 million advanced solar panels annually, equaling five gigawatts of electricity production — enough to power one million American homes. Illuminate USA is committed to onshoring the solar supply chain and investing in and upskilling the Ohio workforce by providing opportunities for engineers, technicians, production associates, and more. Together, we are making strides in American-generated, clean energy and lighting the way for a sustainable future.
