Development Engineering Technician I (Engineering)

Our high growth and leadership position in the renewable energy business offers outstanding opportunities to individuals seeking an exciting work environment in one of the most important industries for the 21st century. First Solar is a leader in the development and manufacturing of thin film solar modules used in grid-connected solar power plants, as well as a provider of complete solar generation solutions for U.S. utilities. Our culture is one where teamwork, continuous improvement, achievement of results, and environmental responsibility are core values. We are seeking new associates who are motivated to contribute their talents to making cost-effective solar energy an important part of the world's energy mix.

Primary Job Functions:

Basic Job Functions:

• Perform precision work and execute process steps including deposition, chemical processing, process integration, glass cutting, test and metrology of thin films solar cells.
• Operate and maintain lab equipment including evaporation, sputtering, annealing ovens, CVD reactors, and other tools involving vacuum, thermal, and mechanical components
• Support R&D activities including but not limited to: process ownership, operation, test data compilation and analysis, maintenance and upgrade of thin film PV equipment.

Education & Experience:      

• High school diploma or equivalent and 6 years of experience in a technician role
• Associate degree in materials science, engineering, or similar technical discipline and 2 years of experience in a technician role
• Bachelor degree in materials science, engineering, or similar technical discipline, without prior technical work experience

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Ability to run and maintain vacuum equipment and thermal processing equipment, including heating ovens, evaporators, sputtering, and plasma processing equipment.
• Proven track record in operating processing equipment is required in vacuum processing, thermal processing, laser processing, or characterization with vacuum equipment.
• Working knowledge of vacuum system and components
• Equipment control experience via software coding is a strong plus.
• Excellent problem-solving skills; ability to proactively identify potential solutions; Strong attention to details. 
• Capable of working independently and in a cross-functional team. 
• Flexible and task-oriented work schedule focused on getting tasks completed in time
• Ability to multitask with good agility for handling high volume of work requests in a fast-paced, time sensitive environment for meeting deadlines 
• Proven ability to work safely and carefully with a wide variety of vacuum and chemical processes.
• Ability to communicate effectively on a regular basis with all levels of associates.
• Ability to read, write and interpret technical procedures and to learn the operation, calibration, and preventative maintenance of lab and testing equipment and systems.
• Intermediate knowledge of MS Office, primarily Excel

Essential Responsibilities:

• Operate, troubleshoot, and maintain vacuum process equipment.
• Ensure compliance with standard operating procedures and all safety regulations 

• Designs and executes planned process experiments.  Collects and analyzes data and reports experimental results.  Will be required to interpret test results, write experimental reports, maintain experimental records, and troubleshoot machine problems or erratic test results.
• Responsible to ensure that all the tests are complete as per the schedule
• Set up and conduct chemical experiments, tests, and analyses using various techniques. 
• Support sample preparation for development tests including cutting glass.
• Conduct measurements when needed (IV, CV, QE, PL, XRF, UV-Vis, 4 point-probe, hall effect, etc.) 
• Handle large sample sets repetitively for randomized processing and testing
• Duties and tasks are frequently non-routine.  Candidate will work under minimal supervision, need to resolve most questions and problems, and escalate only the most complex issues. 
• Support production line activities and measurements as called upon
• Responsible to assist in any other task or job assigned by supervisor
• Has ownership within the functional group of a particular operational process or equipment.  Oversees maintenance and trains others in this process. 
• Responsible for interfacing with internal associates and supplier representatives, as required to complete assigned projects. 
• Responsible to communicate immediately any abnormal finding on the product or testing equipment

Reporting Relationships:

• This position will report to the Senior Member of Technical Staff

Travel:

• 5 -10% travel required

US 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 very occasional basis
• Will lift, push or pull up to 27 pounds on a frequent basis
• Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects repetitively 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.