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First Solar

Engineer - Manufacturing II (m/w/d)

Join First Solar as an Engineer - Manufacturing II in Perrysburg, US. This role involves installing and qualifying new process equipment, troubleshooting manufacturing issues, and implementing system improvements. Enjoy a competitive salary and opportunities for domestic and international travel.
First Solar
First Solar
Perrysburg, United States   On-site   Full Time   USD 79k–112k 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

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

Basic Job Functions

Install and qualify new process equipment. Troubleshoot day-to-day manufacturing issues on the production line in a timely manner. These include; tool down issues, yield, quality issues and identify actions to prevent repeat issues. Identify and/or implement system improvements that contribute to the achievement of throughput, yield and product performance goals.

Education and Experience

  • Associate degree in a technical discipline with 2 years experience as First Solar Manufacturing Engineer I or 3 years Engineering experience in a manufacturing setting, or 2 years Engineering experience and 6 years technical experience in a manufacturing setting or
  • Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline with 2 years experience as First Solar Manufacturing Engineer I or 3 years Engineering experience in a manufacturing setting or 2 years Engineering experience and 3 years Technical experience in a manufacturing setting or
  • MS Degree in a technical discipline with 2-4 years Engineering experience in a manufacturing setting or
  • PhD Degree in a technical discipline with 0-3 years Engineering experience in a manufacturing setting

Required Skills

  • Demonstrated Proficiency in Statistical Data Analysis
  • Excellent problem solving skills
  • Demonstrated Proficiency Metrology and measurement best practices
  • Demonstrated Proficiency in writing complete manufacturing documentation
  • Understands and can apply Design of Experiments
  • Structured Problem Solving Method (such as DMAIC)
  • Demonstrated knowledge of manufacturing processes
  • Demonstrated proficiency in generating and maintaining FMEAs
  • Demonstrated capability to train operators, technicians, and new engineers
  • Ability to work autonomously to achieve goals
  • Excellent oral and written communications skills
  • Continuous improvement of conveyance and robotic systems to maintain a steady flow of production.
  • Knowledge of PLC automation and robot programming is a plus.

Desired Skills

  • Knowledge of General Electronics
  • Knowledge in General Mechanical Systems
  • Knowledge in Robotic and Conveyor Systems
  • Demonstrated proficiency with applying Robust Engineering principles to develop and implementing processes.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

  • Develop, continuously improve, and document robust solar module manufacturing processes to achieve the highest product performance in a cost-efficient manner
  • Inject manufacturing requirements to new process development by working with development team
  • Design and execute experiments to establish manufacturing process window
  • Responsible for solving day-to-day production, equipment, and process problems
  • Evaluate, Install and Qualify new equipment
  • Design and execute planned process experiments, collect and analyze data and report experimental results
  • Responsible for data collection relating to daily equipment performance and associated product performance
  • Responsible to interface with internal associates and supplier representatives as required to complete assigned projects
  • Maintain effective communication with production associates and manufacturing engineers
  • Set up new gauges and perform Gauge maintenance
  • Develop and provide training to other engineers, engineering technicians, and production associates
  • Champion continuous improvement activities using six-sigma and other statistical problem-solving methods
  • Provide mentorship to Jr. engineers and Technicians
  • Develop Process Control Plans and Preventive Maintenance Plans
  • Works with minimal supervision
  • Adhere to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards
  • Domestic and International travel as required
  • Develop and maintain drawings, process specifications, develop and enforce standard operating procedures
  • Perform data collection relating to daily equipment performance and associated product performance

Reporting Relationships

  • This position could have direct reports

Travel

  • Domestic and international travel as required

Estimated Salary Range

$78,600-$112,000/annually

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 37 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 both eyes together, 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, and a condition of employment and continued employment (requires little or no facial hair) for those requiring respirator use.

Office Physical Requirements:

All positions in our office require interaction with people and technology while either standing or sitting. In order to best service our customers, internal and external, all associates must be able to communicate face-to-face and on the phone with or without reasonable accommodation. First Solar is committed to compliance with its obligations under all applicable state and federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. In keeping with this commitment, it attempts to reasonably accommodate applicants and employees in accordance with the requirements of the disability discrimination laws. It also invites individuals with disabilities to participate in a good faith, interactive process to identify reasonable accommodations that can be made without imposing an undue hardship.

Please note: 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, pre-employment drug screen, and any other test that may be required for the role.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

First Solar Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) 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

November 18, 2025

Full Time

Company

December 30, 2025

On-site

USD 79k–112k yearly

First Solar

firstsolar.com

  •  Perrysburg, United States

2-4 years in engineering or manufacturing

UTC-05:00

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