Development Engineer II

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

Basic

Job Functions:

• Lead design, implementation, and validation of electrical control systems and PLC/HMI programming
• Support end-to-end equipment commissioning, vendor checkout, and system startup
• Drive data collection, optimization, and visualization for control systems
• Develop software tools to improve workflows and enable AI/ML adoption
• Integrate equipment with MES, SQL databases, and enterprise systems
• Troubleshoot and resolve control system and equipment issues

Education/

Experience:

• Associate'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 I at First Solar.
• Bachelor's Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 5 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer I at First Solar.
• Master's Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 3 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer I at First Solar.
• Ph.D. in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline.
• Minimum 2 years of industrial work experiences in one or more of the following categories: equipment project engineering, equipment engineering, software engineering, control engineering, Automation engineering, AI/ML driven functional material development

Required Skills/

Competencies:

• Strong programming skills in Python, with experience using libraries such as Num Py, pandas, scikit-learn, Tensor Flow, or Py Torch
• Experience with controls engineering and industrial automation systems, including PLC/HMI programming and electrical/control system troubleshooting
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, with the ability to interpret and develop electrical schematics and panel layouts
• Solid understanding of electrical and electronic control systems, with hands-on troubleshooting experience
• Familiarity with robotics systems, motion control (servo motors, stepper motors, AC/DC drives), and vision systems (e.g., Cognex configuration and programming)
• Experience coordinating with international vendors, including equipment integration and technical communication
• Working knowledge of machine learning concepts and data preprocessing techniques for industrial applications
• Familiarity with MSSQL/SSMS and data visualization tools for data analysis and reporting
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office tools
• Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and attention to detail

Essential Responsibilities:

• Design and enhance control software for process, metrology, and analytical equipment, enabling more efficiency research workflows and future machine learning and AI adoptions.
• Streamline database systems through administration, automation, and performance tuning to ensure reliable and efficient data operations.
• Develop tailored software tools and applications to address evolving site-specific challenges and improve overall productivity.
• Responsible for designing, programming, and coordination of small to mid-scale control systems and projects, enabling remote control where desired; responsible to assist with coordination of new equipment installation and implementation; responsible for maintaining and updating of process tool electrical drawings, ensuring the tracking of equipment changes is documented and drawings are kept current; responsible for troubleshooting and problem-solving equipment issues, especially control related;
  
  responsible to support cross functional teams on large projects including hardware bring-up/troubleshoot, software develop/CIP/debug, drive vendor communication; responsible to bridge gap of existing and new equipment in databasing to handshake with corporate server and be able to interface data transaction
• Maintain effective communications levels and fosters team building.
• Responsible for assisting with communication between process equipment and SQL database.
• Ensures adherence to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards.

Reporting Relationships:

• Report to Sr Member of the Technical Staff
• May…