Principal Engineer I, Process

At Canadian Solar, our vision is to make lives better by bringing electricity powered by the sun to millions of people worldwide. As a leading manufacturer of solar panels, inverters, and energy storage solutions, we've been an industry front-runner since our founding in 2001. Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in all parts of our organization as we navigate the complexities of a booming industry.

Throughout Canadian Solar's subsidiaries, e-Storage, Recurrent Energy, MSS and CSI Solar Co., we invest in our employees' growth. Our training programs and promotional opportunities ensure we all can continue to learn. We understand the importance of work-life balance and provide various flexible work options to support our employees' well-being. Join our team to "Make the Difference" by creating a lasting positive impact on the world and the communities where we operate.

Job Description

The Principal Engineer reports to the Process Engineering Manager. The ideal candidate will lead and manage the process and product development projects to improve production line KPI such as efficiency, yield, cost and reliability. This role is vital for ensuring continuous improvement of CSI’s solar cell technology to be competitive in the market. The Principal Engineer will manage Process Development and/or Integration engineers and technicians and will work closely with cross-functional team to implement and industrialize new processes and products in pilot production line. This position is also expected to liaise with headquarter in China for key issues and project discussions.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead, research, design, direct the development and implementation of current and future cell process technology strategy for efficiency and stability improvement, cost reduction and productivity improvement
• Establish successful implementation of the improved process of the first pilot production including technology and/or product transfer, qualification of new processes, materials and equipment to meet production and quality requirements. Ensure that new processes are in accordance to the company’s engineering change systems and methods.
• Coordinate and work with internal cross functional team, overseas affiliates (China HQ) and suppliers to communicate project planning, technical details and timelines. Ensure successful implementation of all projects.
• Integrate the entire cell processes, continuously identify issues and opportunities in the existing processes, benchmark best industry methods and practices to promote excellent and competitive product in the market.
• Lead, manage and train process development engineers
• Support other company KPIs such as safety, output, yield, quality, product delivery, company certifications, 5S and other related initiatives as provided by the management
• Complete trainings to improve technical and leadership skills. Maintains training materials, facilitate trainings and maintains training records of the engineers and technicians. Remain current in the industry technology trends.
• Other activities and tasks assigned by the manager.

Qualifications and Experience

• Preferred Master’s degree in engineering with major in chemical, material science, microelectronics, or any related field
• At least 5 years experiences in solar cell industry in R&D or process engineering function
• Bilingual Mandarin and English required.
• Proven track record of implementing new processes into pilot and/or mass production
• Excellent team player, leadership skills
• Good presentation, interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work with cross-functional teams and overseas affiliates in the different levels within organization to speed up development process. This requires ability to speak in Mandarin as the company’s headquarter is in China
• High exposure to fast pace manufacturing environment
• Ability to work with limited supervision and through extended hours when needed to meet business commitments
• High level of accuracy with special attention to detail
• Working knowledge of processes in solar manufacturing
• Proficient in process engineering, production and quality systems
• Able to support work duties in extended hours to realize 24/7 production requirement, support scheduled / unscheduled process and equipment recovery inside production line or any other situation deemed necessary by the supervisor