Manager- Engineering Manufacturing USA

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

Basic Job Functions:

The Material Handling Automation – Sustaining Manager is responsible for leading a multi-disciplinary team of engineers and technicians across multiple manufacturing buildings to ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of automated material handling and production support systems. This position owns the daily performance of material handling and automation equipment, driving key operational metrics including throughput, cycle time, yield, equipment uptime, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). The manager provides strategic and technical leadership for sustaining operations, capacity expansion, equipment reliability, and continuous improvement initiatives while fostering a culture of operational excellence, innovation, safety, and individual & team development. Through collaboration with Manufacturing, Quality, Reliability, Maintenance, IT, Controls, and Global Engineering teams, this role develops and executes automation strategies that enhance productivity, reduce operational costs, improve product quality, and support long-term manufacturing objectives. Will manage, train, and mentor engineers and technicians on department KPI’s, sustaining metrics, career development, and specific subject matters.

Education/Experience:
• Eight or more years’ experience in engineering in a manufacturing environment with demonstrated ability to manage others successfully and to be able to motivate them to accomplish objectives and gain desired results.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering disciplines or the equivalent.
• Master’s degree or PhD in specialty area is highly desired.

Required Skills/Competencies:
• Leadership and Managerial Competency: Ability to lead, understand, empathize with, motivate, inspire, set and follow-up on goals, and resolve conflicts between direct reports. Proven Organizational and Managerial skills.
• Mechanical and/or Electrical Engineering skills to lead a technical project from concept through design into production and sustaining.
• Advanced knowledge of mechanical design and machine automation including Electrical, Mechanical, Robotic, and Automation Equipment such as: Conveyors, Robots, AGV-AMR’s, Accumulators, Bar Code Readers, & Vision/Sensors.
• Large scale PV or semiconductor manufacturing experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of LOTO and 70E electrical safety.
• Proven knowledge of Manufacturing processes and equipment trouble shooting.
• Project management skills related to schedule, budget, and equipment supplier interface.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills to ensure effective participation with interdepartmental teams.
• Proven knowledge of Robust Engineering Principals, Six Sigma, VAVA process and Best Practices.
• Proven Technical Problem-solving skills using DMAIC, 5 Whys, & Fishbone Diagrams.
• Able to lead creation of and improvements to Equipment FMEA/PFMEA, Control Plans, WI’s & Equipment Cycle Time. Technical expert and innovator in one area of photovoltaic processes and/or equipment development.
• Deep understanding of process/equipment interactions with the ability to resolve issues and develop new solutions.
• Proven knowledge of MS Office suite, Power Bi, statistical software, & high level presentations.
• Strong sense of project ownership with hands-on skills and can-do attitude.
• Strong sense of urgency to drive results within the team and individual department tasks
• Strong communication skills across organizations with demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams delivering measured results.
• Demonstrates a continuous improvement mindset by (identifying and/or contributing to improvements in specific processes, systems, or workflows).
• Exhibits a learning mindset by (seeking opportunities to expand knowledge, develop skills, and stay current in relevant areas).
• Leverages technology, including AI/LLMs and automation tools, to (enhance efficiency, decision-making, analysis, or operational outcomes as applicable to the role).
• Shows curiosity and adaptability by (responding to change, adopting new tools/processes, or supporting innovation initiatives).

Essential Responsibilities:
• Effective communicator with internal and external partners and customers. Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional efforts to solve complex problems
• Championing a Safety-First culture by leading through example, fostering personal accountability, and ensuring all engineers, technicians, and contractors consistently prioritize safety in every decision, activity, and improvement initiative.
• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Material Handling Engineers and Technicians for the Manufacturing Plants to ensure 24x7 services availability.
• Manage team consisting of Engineers as direct reports and Technicians as direct or indirect reports ensuring resource requirements are staffed to appropriate levels.
• Provide annual and quarterly goal planning, manage work assignments and load balancing, manage performance assessments, and pay & bonus planning.
• Build and manage department AOP Budgets.
• Participate in a leadership role for interviewing, hiring new team members, including interns and candidates for the Material Handling and Automation teams and assisting other departments.
• Build partnership with key business stakeholders in Manufacturing Engineering, Quality & Reliability, IT, Manufacturing Operations, MES Software, MES Controls, and Global Material Handling replication team to support and drive operational improvement under global continuous improvement initiatives and contributes to improved KPIs for the Global Manufacturing operations.
• Assist in the installation, commissioning, & ramp-up of Capital Equipment installations or upgrades.
• Work with Operational & Global teams for Process, Tool, & Routing improvements of new and existing equipment.

Reporting Relationships:
• Will have direct reports (ME Lead, MEs, & METs)

Travel:
• Domestic and International travel as required
• 10% - 20%

Estimated Salary Range:
• $131,200.00-$187,000.00

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 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.