Engineer- Manufacturing Principal

Description

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

Basic

Job Functions:

Lead process or equipment improvement under the oversight of respective Area Manager or Sr. Managers to meet Manufacturing P90 metrics. Manage and lead group of engineers and/ or technicians either directly or through the course of a project/assignment. Work with stake-holders like Development Engineering, Global Supply Chain or Quality & Reliability to resolve technical problems and develop robust manufacturing processes. Initiate and lead complex equipment or process changes following CMS stage-gate process and work with Global Alignment Team counterparts to successfully replicate the changes.

Education/

Experience:

• >8 years process engineering and/or R&D experience in a manufacturing environment; will usually have a broad engineering and technology background.
• Fluent with statistical analysis methods and tools and structured problem solving;
  Adept at analyzing big data-sets using tools like JMP or Minitab
• Experience in Photovoltaics Manufacturing Flow or Technology Development experience in the broad fields of Thin Film Vacuum Deposition, Glass Therm-Mechanical Processing, Module Packaging and Structural Development, Semiconductor Processes, Electrical Device Integration
• Good familiarity with Materials Analysis methods like optical and x-ray spectroscopy, microscopy and electrical characterization to be able to leverage the same in troubleshooting
• Demonstrated ability to lead small technical teams including goal-setting and performance management
• Bachelors/Masters/PhD Degree in Engineering Discipline or Physical Science Field or equivalent.

Required Skills/

Competencies:

• Demonstration of leadership skills in small teams in a localized environment. This typically involves experience directly supervising a small team of engineers and technicians
• Knowledge of Manufacturing Processes
• Knowledge of Manufacturing Engineering Techniques and Practices.
• Knowledge of ISO 9000 standards and SPC tools.
• Robust Engineering, Six Sigma
• Able to lead creation of and improvements to PFMEA.
• Proven quality Skills.
• Proven Technical Problem-solving skills.
• Possess excellent data analysis and collection skills.
• Knowledge of MS Office suite and statistical software
• Written and oral communication skills with ability to create presentations suitable for sharing with executive and C-level staff.
• Demonstrated expertise in driving projects through Change Management systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in engineering test/experimental design, execution, and interpretation of results.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Responsible to develop, continually improve, and document robust solar module manufacturing processes to achieve the highest product performance in a cost-efficient manner.
• Perform in-depth investigations into process issues.
• Evaluate new proposed equipment according to process standards.
• Reviews process experiment proposals and subsequent results.
• Defines and implements corrective/preventive actions and continuous improvement activities as assigned.
• Adheres to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards.
• Lead mainly local task forces and project teams.
• Able to influence up to director level globally
• Work cross functionally and drive decisions mainly at the local level.
• Directly and indirectly manage a technical staff up to and including senior engineer level

Reporting Relationships:

• This position will not have direct reports.

Travel:

• 0 – 10%
• If hired during plant start up, you will be expected to travel to other First Solar locations for training.

Estimated Salary Range:

• $112,300 - $160,000, Annually

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 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,…