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First Solar

Engineer - Manufacturing (m/w/d)

Become a Manufacturing Engineer with First Solar in New Iberia, Louisiana. This role involves installing and qualifying new equipment, troubleshooting production issues, and implementing system improvements. Enjoy a competitive salary range of $67,400-$96,000 annually and the opportunity for domestic and international travel.
First Solar
First Solar
New Iberia, Louisiana, United States   On-site   Full Time   USD 67k–96k yearly  UTC-05:00

First Solar

Company Overview

First Solar, Inc.

Tempe, AZ, United States

1999

Approximately 7,000 employees globally (source: linkedin.com).

What They Do

First Solar specializes exclusively in thin-film photovoltaic solar technology, utilizing cadmium telluride (CdTe) semiconductors to manufacture large-format glass-glass modules. Their flagship products, the Series 6 Plus and Series 7 modules, are designed to produce electricity with a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to conventional crystalline silicon panels. This innovative approach allows First Solar to use only 2% of the semiconductor material per watt, completing production in just 4.5 hours per module under one roof, ensuring full traceability throughout the manufacturing process (source: investing.com). The company also engages in project development, operations and maintenance services, and offers complete PV solar power systems for third-party buyers, featuring innovative under-mount frames for quick installation and an in-house global recycling program that achieves a remarkable 90% recovery rate of semiconductor and glass materials (source: pvo-int.com). Their target markets include utility-scale developers, independent power producers, and commercial firms across various regions, including the United States, Europe, India, and the Middle East (source: investigate.afsc.org). As the largest solar manufacturer in the Western Hemisphere, First Solar is recognized as a Tier 1 producer, emphasizing energy security through domestic production and significant investments in research and development (source: hubspotusercontent-na1.net).

Projects & Track Record

First Solar has an impressive track record, having powered over 5,500 MW of large-scale solar plants across major European markets since 2005. Notable projects include supplying 104,000 panels to the Kalia solar farm in the occupied West Bank and 40,000 panels to Israel's largest solar farm located in the Ramat Hovav Industrial Zone (source: pvo-int.com). The company is currently expanding its manufacturing capabilities with a new 3.5 GW facility in Ohio that became operational in early 2023, and a $1 billion factory in Alabama set to begin operations in 2025. Additionally, First Solar is launching a plant in Tamil Nadu, India, expected to start production in late 2023, further enhancing its global capacity and supporting the anticipated growth in solar energy demand (source: hubspotusercontent-na1.net). The company’s strategic partnerships with utility-scale operators and system owners worldwide have solidified its position as a leader in the solar manufacturing sector (source: investing.com).

Recent Developments

In the past two years, First Solar has made significant strides in expanding its manufacturing footprint. In August 2022, the company announced a $1 billion investment for a new 3.5 GW manufacturing facility in Alabama, which is set to commence operations in 2025. This expansion is part of a broader strategy to increase U.S. solar output to over 10 GW DC by 2025, creating approximately 15,000 indirect jobs and contributing an estimated $3.2 billion in economic value (source: hubspotusercontent-na1.net). The company has also begun construction on its first factory in India, located in Tamil Nadu, which is expected to start operations by late 2023. First Solar continues to maintain its status as the only U.S.-headquartered company among the top 10 global solar manufacturers, with a strong emphasis on research and development, having invested over $1.5 billion since 2010 (source: pvo-int.com).

Working There

First Solar offers a diverse range of roles across various departments, including engineering, product management, sales and marketing, operations, and manufacturing. The company’s headquarters in Tempe, AZ, serves as the hub for executive leadership and key teams, while its manufacturing facilities in Ohio and the upcoming Alabama site focus on production-scale growth (source: salestools.io). The corporate culture at First Solar emphasizes innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning, supported by open-plan offices, flexible seating arrangements, and wellness facilities. The company prioritizes employee well-being and professional growth, creating an environment that attracts top talent (source: salestools.io). Comprehensive benefits are offered to employees, although specific details regarding packages are not extensively documented in available sources (source: salestools.io).

Contact


Last updated on 2025-12-26 | Report an issue

Job Description

The Manufacturing Engineer will install and qualify new process equipment as well as troubleshoot day-to-day manufacturing issues on the production line in a timely manner. These include tool-down issues, yield, quality issues, and identifying actions to prevent repeat issues. Identifying and/or implementing 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

  • Manufacturing Engineer Required Skills:
    • Understands and can apply Statistical Data Analysis.
    • Good problem-solving skills.
    • Understands metrology and measurement best practices.
    • Good oral and written communication skills.
    • Ability to write manufacturing documentation.
  • Manufacturing Engineer Desired Skills:
    • 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.
    • Previous experience in one or more of the following process areas: Vacuum Deposition/ Thermal/ Laser/ Wetline/ Automation/ Adhesive/ Welding/ Material Handling/ Robotics/ Vision Systems/ PLC Programming among others.

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 improvement.
  • Develop and maintain drawings, process specifications, and develop and enforce standard operating procedures.
  • Develop and maintain process control plans.
  • Adhere to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards.
  • Other duties as assigned.
  • Job description subject to change at any time.

Reporting Relationships

  • This position could have direct reports.

Travel

  • Domestic and international travel as required.

Estimated Salary Range

  • $67,400-$96,000 Annually.

US Physical Requirements

Hybrid 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.

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About the role

October 3, 2025

Full Time

Company

December 30, 2025

On-site

USD 67k–96k yearly

First Solar

firstsolar.com

  •  New Iberia, Louisiana, United States

3-10 years depending on qualifications

UTC-05:00

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