Development Engineer IV

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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Reports to Director, California Technology Center, or (Sr) Manager of Process Development.
• May have direct reports.

Up to 10% domestic or international.

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

• 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…