Manager- Process Development (Laser Continuous Improvement) USA

First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.

Basic Job Functions:

• Drive the development and continuous improvement of existing and innovative laser scribing technologies on small and module scale.
• Provide technology leadership to ensure on time and on target delivery of device performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost goals. 
• Lead all aspects of module testing operations on the plant floor; prioritizing resources to optimize safety, quality, and throughput.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Physical Science Disciplines or the equivalent. 
• Masters or Ph.D. is preferred.
• 4+ years of experience as a manager in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
• More than 8 years of experiences in technology development in photovoltaic, semiconductor, or related industries.
• Experience in continuous improvement of a technology product required.
• Experience with scale up of new technology product, desired.

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Proven leadership and communication skills
• Proven experiment planning and prioritization skills
• Ability to assess experimental risk, scopes, and timelines and to plan accordingly.
• Deep understanding of solid-state device physics, thin-film polycrystalline experience.
• Fundamental understanding of material and device characterization.
• Advanced understanding of manufacturing equipment, engineering techniques and practices.
• Competency in statistical process optimization, data analysis
• Proven skills in problem solving and Root Cause Analysis.
• Solid understanding of processes control strategy development, implementation, and optimization.
• Ability to coordinate activities between various technology, engineering, and operations groups.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and motivate others to accomplish objectives and gain desired results.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as experience with cross-functional coordination required.
• Technical competency with proven ability to work with and advise engineers on technical matters.
• Proven ability to train and develop associates

Essential Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the planning, organizing, leading and coordination of all continuous process improvement activities to meet product roadmap.
• Encourages process improvement using the proper format ensuring process and product safety, product quality, lowering costs while increasing throughput.
• Supervises and motivates a team of associates creating a culture of personal responsibility and continuous improvement.
• Interface with process engineering and equipment engineering as well as operations.
• Responsible for the development of the department budget and cost projects and monitors and adheres to the same.
• Ensure adherence to program goals and schedules.
• Integrate FA, material and device characteristics and process data to determine the mechanisms and root causes of failures and resulting film and device properties.
• Participate in cross functional team reviews.
• Interact with stakeholders to meet manufacturing, quality, and reliability requirements.
• Ensure adherence to all Safety Procedures and Housekeeping standards.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Job description subject to change at any time.

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports to Development Director or Development Head
• Will have direct reports

Estimated Salary Range:

• $127,700 - $175,000/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 27 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 each eye, 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)
• All associates working on the production floor may be required to wear a respirator at any given time and thus, the ability to wear a respirator is a condition of employm