Manager - Maintenance Plant (m/w/d)
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 work location for this position is to be determined and will be communicated at the time of offer. Candidates must be willing to relocate to any First Solar location. Relocation assistance may be provided where applicable.
First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.
Basic Job Functions
Responsible for overseeing maintenance operations. Oversee and direct maintenance activities for the plant to meet established plant objectives. Act as an Advisor and Coach concerning maintenance related issues to facilitate teamwork and continuous improvement to management and workforce worldwide.
Education/Experience
- Preferred Bachelor's or 2 years Technical degree in a field related to engineering, mechanical or electrical.
- 10 years Maintenance experience.
- 8-10 years of leadership experience
Required Skills/Competencies
- Knowledge of Electrical, Mechanical, Vacuum Systems and Laser operations.
- Excellent computer skills.
- Working knowledge of LOTO and 70E electrical safety
- Proven organizational and supervisory skills.
- Knowledge of required building codes.
- Proven knowledge of Manufacturing processes and equipment.
- Excellent communications skills.
- Possesses problem solving skills.
- Work knowledge and experience with maintenance and spare part scheduling systems (CMMS). Knowledge of MAXIMO a plus.
Essential Responsibilities
- Responsible for maintaining facility performance standards. This includes maximizing equipment reliability/productivity and utilizing process tools and knowledge of system capability to set and achieve performance standards.
- Take the lead with satellite facilities to improve maintenance systems and ensure all facilities are aligned globally with respect to maintenance system and procedures. This would require travel to satellite facilities worldwide with 25%-50% of time international travel.
- Focus on equipment reliability to maximize production line productivity. This individual must also implement process enhancements to improve packaging and changeover efficiency.
- Develop plans for the implementation of new technology including the implementation of capital plans.
- Utilizes visual factory concepts to maximize asset utilization and plant performance in general.
- Spend an appropriate amount of time on the plant floor developing both supervisory personnel and front-line employees. This individual ensures that all members of his/her team are fully capable of troubleshooting and repairing equipment.
- Tracks standard manufacturing and warehouse measures, prioritizes opportunities and develops trimester objectives. This would be for both local and satellite facilities.
- Ensures that production and support equipment are available. Also, he/she has responsibility for manpower planning, elimination of waste, quality and safety compliance.
- P&L responsibility over relevant cost centers to include repair and maintenance, maintenance labor, utilities, and capital improvement plans.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Job description subject to change at any time.
Reporting Relationships
This position will have direct reports.
Travel
10% - 20% If hired during plant start up, you will be expected to travel to other First Solar locations for training.
Estimated Salary Range
$97,500 - $139,000, Annually
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 a frequent basis.
- Will lift up to 58 pounds on an occasional basis, according to work instruction.
- 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 basis.
- 20/40 vision in each eye (with or without correction) and the ability to distinguish between red, yellow, and green is required.
- May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis.
- May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis.
- Must be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures.
- Ability to wear personal protective equipment is required (including, but not limited to; steel toed shoes, cut resistant gloves, jackets, aprons &/or arm guards, safety glasses, hearing protection).
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 and 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.
Get Job Alerts
Get alerts for Solar Energy jobs in United States
About the role
October 30, 2025
Full Time
Company
January 2, 2026
Flexible
USD 98k–139k yearly
- United States
10 years of maintenance experience, 8-10 years of leadership experience
UTC-05:00 — UTC-08:00
Apply now
Job expired?Please let First Solar know you found this job on Rejobs. This will help us grow and get more people to work on renewable energy!
Discover how you’re connected
View connectionsSee your contacts at First Solar on LinkedIn to leverage your network in applying for this position.