Development Engineer I

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

Basic Job Functions:

• Use tool and process understanding to convert DOE plans into execution plans for technicians throughout the factory
• Test first of kind submodule routing and robotic workflows
• Analyze planned vs actual execution and report out in postmortem meetings
• Plan, execute and characterize development engineering experiments in the laboratory and manufacturing environment.
• Apply statistics and engineering methods to optimize workflow and effectiveness.

Education/Experience:

High School Diploma or equivalent and 20 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as an Associate Engineer or Development Engineer Technician III at First Solar.

Associate’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 10 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as an Associate Engineer or Development Engineer Technician III at First Solar.

Bachelor’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 3 years of relevant technical experience or 1 year of experience as an Associate Engineer or Development Engineer Technician III at First Solar.

Master’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 1 year of relevant technical experience or 1 year of experience as an Associate Engineer at First Solar.

Comprehensive understanding of functional business units core area (e.g., sputter or materials science), with expert knowledge in at least one area.

Skills and hands‑on experience in execution of experiments in laboratory or manufacturing environment.

Analytical skills to interpret data and derive conclusions.

Ability to make an execute detailed plans to achieve objectives with strong sense of ownership.

Good communication skills across organizations.

• Identify opportunities for improvement in solar cell efficiency, material selection and process/equipment design through engineering, scientific or empirical methods.
• Apply state of the art techniques for material analysis, statistical analysis of data or execution/planning of experiments. Develop a work plan that can address problems with well understood solution paths.
• May be responsible to determine and evaluate material specification for improved performance. May be responsible to determine and evaluate tool/equipment specifications.
• Effective communicator and coordinator within the organization. Effective team member that can support cross‑functional project and take ownership of sub‑deliverables.
• May direct work of hourly associates and coach them.
• Complies with Company's Environmental, Quality, Safety or any other policies that have been enforced.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Job description subject to change at any time.

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports to Development Engineer or Development Manager.
• May have direct reports.

Travel:

• 0% - 5% (On occasion/as needed for training, etc.)

Estimated Salary Range:

• $68,800- $98,000 annually

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 both eyes (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 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) and a condition of employment and continued employment (may require 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.

Job Info

• Job Identification 1025369
• Job Category Advanced Research
• Posting Date 08/03/2026, 06:02 PM
• Locations 27876 Oregon Road, Perrysburg, OH, 43551, US
• Job Schedule Full time
• Work Schedule M-F 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM(United States of America)