Jobs at First Solar

Conducts material and device research to improve perovskite thin-film solar cell performance, stability, and manufacturing cost. Designs experiments, fabricates and characterizes devices, optimizes coating and synthesis processes, and commissions, troubleshoots, and sustains development equipment. Leads projects, evaluates materials and equipment specifications, interprets experimental data, supports cross-functional collaborations, and mentors junior team members. The role may involve domestic and international travel of up to 10%.

Leads development of electro-optical characterization methods and custom equipment for perovskite solar cell research. Designs, builds, and programs characterization systems, develops software and data-analysis capabilities, improves equipment uptime, implements preventive maintenance, and supports safe laboratory operations. Collaborates with stakeholders and vendors, improves measurement methods and data infrastructure, and mentors or trains engineers and technical staff.

Leads development engineering research for perovskite and thin-film solar cells. Investigates device performance, variability, reliability, and failure modes; owns metrology and quality-control methods; develops process-performance correlations; optimizes materials, equipment, and manufacturing processes; analyzes large datasets; conducts reliability testing; and executes laboratory and manufacturing experiments. The role also supports cross-functional projects, mentors colleagues, and may manage junior staff.

Lead and champion perovskite research for manufacturing-relevant thin-film solar technologies. Define R&D roadmap, drive cross-functional initiatives from concept to demonstration, manage IP, communicate results, and promote safety while mentoring direct reports.

Design, implement, and validate electrical control systems and PLC/HMI programs; commission and troubleshoot equipment; integrate equipment with MES and SQL databases; develop software tools and data pipelines for visualization and ML adoption; maintain electrical schematics and coordinate vendors; support cross-functional projects and ensure safety compliance.

Hands-on R&D internship supporting solar panel experiments at First Solar's California Technology Center. Work with engineers and technicians on inkjet printing and spray coating of uniform thin films, collect and analyze experimental data, use MS Excel, collaborate with team, and present project results to leadership. Internship runs 3-5 months during the fall term.

Lead and supervise process development laboratory operations for solar cell and thin-film technology. Manage technicians, translate engineering objectives into repeatable procedures, improve workflow and equipment reliability, support technology transfer, and drive experimental quality, safety, and faster development cycles.

Lead material and device R&D to improve perovskite thin-film solar cell performance, stability, and manufacturability. Design and execute experiments, fabricate core layers, characterize devices, optimize processes using statistical/engineering methods, commission and maintain equipment, mentor junior staff, and collaborate across teams and external partners to meet program goals.

Work on sputtered thin film deposition and metrology for solar cell applications. Support sputtered buffer development, device fabrication, electrical and material characterization, and reliability studies. Collect and analyze experimental data, present results to leadership, and collaborate within a fast-paced R&D/manufacturing environment.