Development Engineer III - Material Deposition

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

Basic Job Functions:

• Thin film deposition and material research to improve conversion efficiency of thin film solar cells

Education/Experience:

• Associate’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 20 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer II at First Solar.
• Bachelor’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 10 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer II at First Solar.
• Master’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 8 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer II at First Solar.
• Ph.D. in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 5 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer II at First Solar.

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Strong analytical and problem solving skills, the proven ability to succeed in developing practical solutions that will lead to technology innovations and development
• Familiar with statistical data analysis and design of experiment methodologies
• Good communication skills. Can produce clear data and report, as well as oral presentations.
• Self-driven, energetic, and creative with good interpersonal skills, including working with cross-functional teams

Essential Responsibilities:

• Identify opportunities for improvement in solar cell efficiency, material selection and process/equipment design through engineering, scientific or empirical methods.
• Assume a key ownership role in our ALD/CVD deposition operations and other vacuum deposition systems (including magnetron sputtering) within the organization
• Be responsible for the development of innovative materials and processes that can enhance the surface/interface and bulk properties required for high efficiency PV devices
• Control key material properties (such as doping, defects in bulk/interface, band bending) with material synthesis steps.
• Design, execute, and analyze experiments performed hands-on or with help from others
• Develop and maintain process and equipment related to material research
• Prepare and presents reports and analyses as requested
• Effective communicator with internal and external partners and customers. Effective team member that can support cross-functional projects and take ownership of sub-deliverables.
• May train, mentor and manage junior associates.
• Complies with Company's Environmental, Quality, Safety or any other policies that have been enforced.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Job description subject to change at any time.

Reporting Relationships:

• This position will report to Senior Manager Process Development, or Senior Member of Technical Staff

Travel:

• 10 -15% travel required

Estimated Salary Range:

• $100,000- $161,000 Per year

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 employment and continued employment (requires little or no facial hair)

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 band 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.