Development Engineer IV

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

Basic Job Functions:

• Perform material and device research to enhance thin film perovskite solar cell performance and stability and to reduce manufacturing cost.
• Responsible for projects or functions that are highly complex require significant innovation and critical to department objectives.
• Plan, execute and characterize development engineering experiments in laboratory environment with strategic foresight. 
• Applies statistical and engineering methods to optimize organizational effectiveness. Core leader within the group in one or more areas.

 Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 20 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer III at First Solar.
• Master’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 15 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer III at First Solar.
• Ph.D. in material science discipline or similar technical field and 10 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer III at First Solar.
• 10+ years of R&D experience in thin-film solar or closely related field required; 5+ years of experience with perovskites in an industrial R&D environment strongly preferred
• Chemistry or polymer/material science background strongly preferred

 Required Skills/Competencies:

• Technical expert and innovator in at least one area of perovskite photovoltaic development.
• Deep understanding of material/process/device interactions with the ability to develop new solutions.
• In depth knowledge in several fields from the list of photovoltaic device theory, materials science, process engineering, characterization techniques and other fields relevant to advance perovskite technology.
• Strong communication skills across organizations, excellent written and oral presentation skills
• Demonstrated strength in critical thinking, attention to details
• Strong sense of project ownership with hands-on and can-do attitude, good team player, accountable, agile.
• Willing to work odd hours or long hours when pressed by deadlines or under urgent situations

Essential Responsibilities:

• Identify opportunities for improvement in perovskite solar cell (efficiency and durability) through material design/selection, process development, device characterization, failure analysis through engineering, scientific or empirical methods.
• Improve state of the art techniques for material analysis, statistical analysis of data, or execution planning of experiments. Develop a work plan that has unclear 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 with internal and external partners and customers. Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional efforts as well as drive external collaborators
• May train, mentor and manage junior and peers on specific subject matters. Specialist within the group.
• Comply with Company's Environmental, Quality, Safety or any other policies that have been enforced. Contributes to continuous improvement of said policies.
• Other duties as assigned

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports to Director, California Technology Center, or (Sr) Manager of Process Development

• May have direct reports.

Travel:

Up to 10% domestic or international.

Estimated Salary Range:

129,480 USD per year- 184,600 USD per year

US 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 27 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 each eye, 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.
• The 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).
• 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.