Engineer- Manufacturing I USA

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

Basic Job Functions:

Install and qualify new process equipment.  Troubleshoot day-to-day manufacturing issues on the production line in a timely manner.  These include; tool down issues, yield, quality issues and identify actions to prevent repeat issues.  Identify and/or implement system improvements that contribute to the achievement of throughput, yield and product performance goals. 

Education/Experience:

Candidates must meet one of the following criteria to qualify:

• Associate’s Degree in an engineering or similar technical discipline combined with
  • 3 or more years of First Solar technical experience, or
  • 6 or more years of technical work experience in a Manufacturing setting.
• Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, or Ph.D. in an engineering or similar technical discipline with no experience required. Technical work experience in combination with a degree is preferred.
• The following certifications and experience can be used in lieu of the above degree requirements.  In each case the candidate must demonstrate skills and experience in peer training/mentorship and basic data analysis 
  • 3 or more years’ experience as a First Solar Maintenance Technician III, MET III, EPT III or Equipment Coordinator III or
  • Journeyman certification in a relevant technical discipline such as Machinist or Electrician combined with 5 or more years industry experience at Journeyman level or
  • 10 or more years’ experience as a highly skilled technician/specialist in a relevant discipline.  Industry-recognized certification strongly preferred.

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Understands and can apply Statistical Data Analysis
• Good problem solving skills
• Understands metrology and measurement best practices
• Good oral and written communications skills.
• Ability to write manufacturing documentation
• Understands and can apply DOE
• Understands and can apply Statistical Process Control (SPC)
• Understands and can apply structured problem solving (such as DMAIC)
• Ability to work with minimal supervision. 
• General Electrical / Electronics
• General Mechanical

Essential Responsibilities:

• Responsible for solving day-to-day production, equipment, and process problems
• Install and Qualify new equipment
• Maintain Gauges
• Design and execute planned process experiments, collect and analyze data and report experimental results.
• Perform data collection relating to daily equipment performance and associated product performance.
• Interface with internal associates and supplier representatives as required to complete assigned projects
• Maintain effective communication with production associates and manufacturing engineers
• Develop and provide training to engineering technicians, and production associates
• Identify and implement yield and product performance improvements
• Develop and maintain drawings, process specifications, develop and enforce standard operating procedures
• Develop and maintain process control plans

• Adhere to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards

• Domestic and International travel as required

• Prior experience in the areas of thin-film deposition processes (Magnetron Sputtering, CVD, evaporation) OR thermal processing in semiconductor or glass industry (continuous or batch ovens) is highly desirable. 

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports to Manager, Manufacturing Engineering – Deposition

Travel:

• 0-5%

Estimated Salary Range:

• $68,800-$98,000

US Physical Requirements:

Manufacturing & Maintenance Physical Requirements:

• Will sit, stand or walk short distances for up to 12 hours per day
• Will climb stairs on an occasional basis
• Will exert up to 50 pounds of force to lift, push or pull on a seldom basis
• Will lift, push or pull up to 27 pounds on a frequent basis
• Will lift up to 51 pounds on an occasional basis, according to work instructions.
• Will lift up to 37 pounds on a frequent basis
• Will push or pull up to 27 pounds of force on an occasional basis.
• Will push or pull up to 10 pounds of force on a frequent basis.
• Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects repetitively on a frequent bas