Development Engineer ; Reliability Physics

Position: Development Engineer I (Reliability Physics)
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 solar cell performance and stability and to reduce manufacturing cost.

* Primary/secondary ownership of projects or functional areas within the group.

* Plan, execute and characterize development engineering experiments in the laboratory and manufacturing environment designed to identify potential reliability concerns with experimental prototype devices as well as current module technology.

* 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.

* May develop new test equipment and test structures and write computer software for data analysis and/or data acquisition systems.

Education/

Experience:

* 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.

Required Skills/

Competencies:

* 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 or classes 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. Can produce clear data, presentations, and reports, as well as oral presentations.

* Exposure to semiconductors, PV device physics, and thin film PV technology is preferred.

* Exposure to the function, characteristics, measurement, and application of PV modules is a plus.

* Intermediate knowledge of JMP, Minitab, or similar statistical software suites and experience working with databases.

* Good communication skills across organizations.

* Good interpersonal skills, including working with cross-functional teams. Other behaviors include integrative thinking, results oriented, self-awareness, mentoring others, and willingness to make changes.

Essential Responsibilities:

* 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 product failure analysis, statistical analysis of data or execution/planning of experiments. Develop a work plan that can address problems with well understood solution paths.

* Effective communicator and coordinator within the organization. Effective team member that can support cross-functional projects and take ownership of sub-deliverables.

* May direct the work of hourly associates.

* 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.

* 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.

* May contribute to determine and evaluate material specification for improved performance. May contribute to determine and evaluate tool/equipment specifications.

* Works under minimal supervision. May assist in orienting, mentoring, and training colleagues.

Reporting Relationships:

* Reports to Reliability Engineering Manager

Travel:

* No travel is required.

Estimated Annual Salary Range:

* $69,000 - $95,000 Estimated Annual Salary

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 up to 37 pounds on a frequent basis.

* Will push or pull up to 27 pounds of force 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.

* 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…