Test Technician I (m/w/d)

Become a Test Technician I with First Solar in Trinity, Alabama. Conduct reliability tests and support engineers in product monitoring. Enjoy a competitive hourly wage and the opportunity to work in a dynamic lab environment. Join First Solar as a Test Technician I in Trinity, Alabama, where you'll perform reliability tests and measurements to ensure product performance. Support Reliability Engineers with various tasks and communicate findings effectively. This role offers a competitive hourly wage and the chance to work in a collaborative lab environment focused on renewable energy solutions.

First Solar Trinity, Alabama, United States On-site Full Time USD 17–25 per hour UTC-06:00

First Solar

Company Overview

Name

First Solar, Inc.

Headquarters

Tempe, AZ, United States

Founded

1999

Size

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

Website · Careers · LinkedIn

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

Complete the day-to-day reliability operations and test in Reliability Lab in a safe manner to ensure that the product meets performance and warranty commitments without failure under ambient outdoor exposure extremes. Support Reliability Engineers with multi-task assignments related to second-source supplier qualifications, product reliability monitoring, product/process qualification programs and test/equipment development.

Education/Experience

Bachelor's degree in technical discipline (Electrical preferred) OR
Associates Degree or equivalent in a technical discipline (Electrical preferred) OR
High School Diploma with a minimum of 3 years' working experience in a manufacturing or lab environment.
High School Diploma with a minimum of 1 year of experience working in First Solar lab environment as a contractor.
Calibration/testing/measurement experience is an added advantage.

Required Skills/Competencies

Basic ability using tools and operating equipment required.
Ability to learn the basic operation of simulators required.
Ability to operate a forklift required.
Must have good glass handling skills.
Must possess good communication skills.
Must have the ability to follow directions and use work instructions.
Must be motivated to work independently.
Must be able to demonstrate problem solving abilities when a test or equipment faults.
Must be able to analyze data enough to determine if testing was run properly.
Must be able to analyze data to determine if results fit inside a control plan.
Must be able to follow control plan OCAP steps if module seems to be out of spec.
Must be able to select and run the correct recipes for testing across multiple tools.
Must be able to locate a module in a test plan and determine the measurements needs and next test for that module.
Must always be organized and keep a clean and orderly work area.
Basic experience using electrical test and measurement equipment desired.
Proven communications skills and attention to detail.
Intermediate computer skills (Word, Excel, Outlook, SQL is a plus).
Good team player.
Experience in using tools and operating equipment is an added advantage (micrometers, multimeters, power supplies and data loggers).
Ensure waste materials are discarded in their designated containers.
Ensure hazardous waste containers stay closed except when adding or removing waste.
Ensure satellite accumulation containers stay in their designated locations.

Essential Responsibilities

Responsible to perform baseline and posttest measurement for all standard Reliability tests.
Responsible for safely loading and operating all standard Reliability Stress Test equipment.
Responsible for processing warranty returns.
Perform data entry for Reliability testing.
Responsible for ensuring that all the tests and measurements are complete by the schedule.
Responsible for communicating immediately any abnormal findings on the product or testing equipment.
Willing to work long hours and weekends to support any testing or measurement.
Adheres to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards.
Responsible for assisting in any other task or job assigned by supervisor.
Responsible for training new technicians in module testing and measurements, handling, loading and unloading from test equipment.
Consistently demonstrates efficient and effective methods to deliver quality test results.
Identify durability/stability defects and issues and communicate to appropriate personnel (Level 1 failure analysis and troubleshooting).
Responsible for identifying when a test ran incorrectly and suggesting a root cause or an action plan.
Other duties as assigned.
Job description subject to change at any time.

Reporting Relationships

Reports to the Supervisor, Lab Operations.

Travel

0-5% travel required.

Estimated Salary Range

$17.84-$25.00 hourly

US Physical Requirements

Will sit, stand, or walk short distances for up to 12 hours per day.
Will climb stairs or steps 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 50 pounds of force on an occasional basis.
Will push or pull up to 37 pounds of force on a frequent basis.
Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects on a frequent basis.
20/40 vision in each eye separately and both eyes (with or without correction), the ability to distinguish between red, yellow, and green and peripheral vision >70 degrees 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 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 or goggles, hearing protection & respirators) as a condition of employment and continued employment (requires little or no facial hair). 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 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.