Engineer - Manufacturing System II (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
First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.
Basic Job Functions
Responsible for introducing new manufacturing systems and enhancing the existing manufacturing system (Safety, Quality, Controls, and Cost) for the shift operation to ensure standardization across all Perrysburg, OH plants.
Education/Experience
- At least 2 years of First Solar manufacturing leadership experience (such as Technical Supervisor, Manufacturing Specialist, Operations Engineer) preferred.
- Minimum 3 years of relevant manufacturing experience required.
- Good record in driving continuous improvement projects in operation excellence.
- Six Sigma Green Belt Certification Preferred
- Bachelors/Masters/PhD Degree in Engineering Discipline or Physical Science Field or equivalent.
- Degree in Manufacturing System preferred.
Required Skills/Competencies
- Behavioral:
- Possesses strong leadership skills.
- Demonstrates excellent communications skills.
- Possesses excellent organizational and project management skills.
- Demonstrates strong analytical and strategic thinking.
- Possesses proven interpersonal skills.
- Team oriented.
- Technical:
- Well-versed in the manufacturing process flow.
- Knowledgeable of the PDCA cycle (Plan-Do-Check-Act)
- Proficient use of all Microsoft Office suite programs.
Essential Responsibilities
- Develops new or improves existing manufacturing systems for sustainability for the manufacturing Coating, Sub-module, Finishing, and Boxing operations.
- Designs, delivers, and maintains manufacturing system and process to meet ISO 9000 requirement for the Perrysburg Site.
- Works closely with the Shift Managers, Supervisors, and relevant supporting departments to improve the manufacturing systems and process.
- Performs close loop checks on the existing Manufacturing systems (safety, quality, productivity, NPI, and controls) assessing effectiveness and practicality.
- Plans and recommends suitable manufacturing systems to be introduced to the manufacturing facility.
- Ensures that all existing manufacturing systems are standardized across all 4 shifts and enhanced to all plants within First Solar Facilities.
- Records data and analyzes information pertaining to manufacturing systems for improvements or proliferation.
- Undertakes the proliferation of established manufacturing systems in terms of safety, quality, productivity, and controls for the existing shifts.
- Identifies opportunities to improve the existing manufacturing systems and to make the necessary recommendations to the manufacturing department for changes.
- Ensures that all manufacturing systems implemented are documented properly and archived for future reference or usage.
- Performs research of relevant industry manufacturing systems to recommend suitable systems for implementation.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Job description subject to change at any time.
Reporting Relationships
- This position reports to the Manager - Operations Integration.
- This position may have direct reports.
Travel
- Up to 10% of global travel is expected.
Estimated Salary Range
- $67,400-96,000 annual
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.
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About the role
December 3, 2025
Full Time
Company
December 26, 2025
On-site
USD 67k–96k yearly
- Perrysburg, United States
Minimum 3 years of relevant manufacturing experience required; 2 years of leadership experience preferred.
UTC-05:00
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