Manager- Engineering Manufacturing

Material Handling Automation – Sustaining Manager

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

Basic Job Functions:

The Material Handling Automation – Sustaining Manager is responsible for leading a multi-disciplinary team of engineers and technicians across multiple manufacturing buildings to ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of automated material handling and production support systems. This position owns the daily performance of material handling and automation equipment, driving key operational metrics including throughput, cycle time, yield, equipment uptime, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).

The manager provides strategic and technical leadership for sustaining operations, capacity expansion, equipment reliability, and continuous improvement initiatives while fostering a culture of operational excellence, innovation, safety, and individual & team development. Through collaboration with Manufacturing, Quality, Reliability, Maintenance, IT, Controls, and Global Engineering teams, this role develops and executes automation strategies that enhance productivity, reduce operational costs, improve product quality, and support long-term manufacturing objectives.

Will manage, train, and mentor engineers and technicians on department KPI's, sustaining metrics, career development, and specific subject matters.

Education/Experience:
• Eight or more years' experience in engineering in a manufacturing environment with demonstrated ability to manage others successfully and to be able to motivate them to accomplish objectives and gain desired results.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering disciplines or the equivalent.
• Master's degree or PhD in specialty area is highly desired.

Required Skills/Competencies:
• Leadership and Managerial

Competency:

Ability to lead, understand, empathize with, motivate, inspire, set and follow-up on goals, and resolve conflicts between direct reports. Proven Organizational and Managerial skills.
• Mechanical and/or Electrical Engineering skills to lead a technical project from concept through design into production and sustaining.
• Advanced knowledge of mechanical design and machine automation including Electrical, Mechanical, Robotic, and Automation Equipment such as:
Conveyors, Robots, AGV-AMR's, Accumulators, Bar Code Readers, & Vision/Sensors.
• Large scale PV or semiconductor manufacturing experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of LOTO and 70E electrical safety.
• Proven knowledge of Manufacturing processes and equipment trouble shooting.
• Project management skills related to schedule, budget, and equipment supplier interface.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills to ensure effective participation with interdepartmental teams.
• Proven knowledge of Robust Engineering Principals, Six Sigma, VAVA process and Best Practices.
• Proven Technical Problem-solving skills using DMAIC, 5 Whys, & Fishbone Diagrams.
• Able to lead creation of and improvements to Equipment FMEA/PFMEA, Control Plans, WI's & Equipment Cycle Time. Technical expert and innovator in one area of photovoltaic processes and/or equipment development.
• Deep understanding of process/equipment interactions with the ability to resolve issues and develop new solutions.
• Proven knowledge of MS Office suite, Power Bi, statistical software, & high level presentations.
• Strong sense of project ownership with hands-on skills and can-do attitude.
• Strong sense of urgency to drive results within the team and individual department tasks
• Strong communication skills across organizations with demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams delivering measured results.
• Demonstrates a continuous improvement mindset by (identifying and/or contributing to improvements in specific processes, systems, or workflows).
• Exhibits a learning mindset by (seeking opportunities to expand knowledge, develop skills, and stay current in relevant areas).
• Leverages technology, including AI/LLMs and automation tools, to (enhance efficiency, decision-making, analysis, or operational outcomes as applicable to the role).
• Shows curiosity and adaptability by…