Solar Engineer- Development I (Reliability Physics) | Perrysburg, OH (On-site)

First Solar - Perrysburg, OH

Full-time

Perrysburg, OH

Utilities

About the position

First Solar is seeking a Solar Engineer in Development I (Reliability Physics) to join our team in Perrysburg, OH. This role is pivotal in enhancing the performance and stability of thin film solar cells while also focusing on reducing manufacturing costs. The successful candidate will take primary and secondary ownership of various projects or functional areas within the group, ensuring that development engineering experiments are meticulously planned, executed, and characterized in both laboratory and manufacturing environments. These experiments are designed to identify potential reliability concerns with experimental prototype devices as well as current module technology. The engineer will conduct Accelerated Life Testing (ALT) on both test structures and modules, both in the laboratory and in the field. Utilizing statistical and engineering methods, the engineer will optimize workflow and effectiveness, potentially developing new test equipment and writing computer software for data analysis and data acquisition systems. This position requires a strong analytical mindset, hands-on experience in executing experiments, and the ability to interpret data effectively. In addition to technical skills, the role demands excellent communication abilities, as the engineer will need to produce clear data presentations and reports, and collaborate with cross-functional teams. The engineer will also be responsible for identifying opportunities for improvement in solar cell efficiency, material selection, and process/equipment design through various engineering and scientific methods. The position may involve directing the work of hourly associates and requires compliance with the company's environmental, quality, and safety policies. This job description is subject to change at any time, reflecting the dynamic nature of the role and the organization.

Responsibilities

• Perform material and device research to enhance thin film solar cell performance and stability and to reduce manufacturing cost.
• Plan, execute and characterize development engineering experiments in the laboratory and manufacturing environment.
• Conduct Accelerated Life Testing on both test structures and modules in the laboratory and in the field.
• Apply statistics and engineering methods to optimize workflow and effectiveness.
• Develop new test equipment and test structures and write computer software for data analysis and/or data acquisition systems.
• Identify opportunities for improvement in solar cell efficiency, material selection and process/equipment design.
• Apply state of the art techniques for product failure analysis and statistical analysis of data.
• Develop a work plan that can address problems with well understood solution paths.
• Communicate effectively and coordinate within the organization, supporting cross-functional projects and taking ownership of sub-deliverables.
• Plan and conduct module and component ALT, HALT, HASS and other characterization tests.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams for characterization and failure mode identification.
• Develop automated routines for data reduction, analysis, and reporting.
• Initiate and collaborate on test equipment improvement projects.
• Contribute to determine and evaluate material specification for improved performance.
• Assist in orienting, mentoring, and training colleagues.

Requirements

• Associate's degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 10 years of relevant technical experience or 3 years of experience as an Associate Engineer at First Solar.
• Bachelor's Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 3 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as an Associate Engineer 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.
• Skills and hands-on experience in execution of experiments in laboratory or manufacturing environment.
• Analytical skills to interpret data and derive conclusions with formal training in statistical analysis methods.
• Ability to make and execute detailed plans to achieve objectives with a strong sense of ownership.
• Exposure to general reliability analysis methods.
• Experience manipulating large data sets.
• Ability to communicate clearly with individuals and groups, producing clear data, presentations, and reports.

Nice-to-haves

• Exposure to semiconductors, PV device physics, and thin film PV technology.
• Exposure to the function, characteristics, measurement, and application of PV modules.
• Intermediate knowledge of JMP, Minitab, or similar statistical software suites.