Our high growth and leadership position in the renewable energy business offers outstanding opportunities to individuals seeking an exciting work environment in one of the most important industries for the 21st century. First Solar is a leader in the development and manufacturing of thin film solar modules used in grid-connected solar power plants, as well as a provider of complete solar generation solutions for U.S. utilities. Our culture is one where teamwork, continuous improvement, achievement of results, and environmental responsibility are core values. We are seeking new associates who are motivated to contribute their talents to making cost-effective solar energy an important part of the world’s energy mix.

Primary Job Functions:

We’re changing the world. Let us start with yours.

First Solar’s research and development (R&D) department seeks candidates who believe in our mission of providing cost-advantaged solar technology through innovation, customer engagement, industry leadership and operational excellence.

Technology is among the strongest levers for driving overall cost of solar energy. Through innovation in both areas of module and balance-of-systems (BoS), the R&D team is driving an innovative photovoltaic (PV) system roadmap that will create a compelling and differentiated product for our customers. By investing significantly in advanced semi-conductor research, the R&D team has revolutionized our core cadmium-telluride (CdTe) thin film technology. With the help of our R&D team, First Solar will continue to introduce new innovative products and solutions to increase solar penetration into the global energy mix. By co-locating R&D with manufacturing, we are able to transition technological advancements in the lab into production quickly and efficiently.

The R&D team looks for individuals who enjoy contributing to an innovative, forward-thinking team, are effective problem solvers, data and results driven and continuously look for ways to improve processes to help us lead the world’s sustainable energy future.

Job Title:  Development Engineer II - Sputtering/Material Science

Reports To: Senior Member of Technical Staff

Job Status: Exempt

Basic Job Functions:

• Sputtering thin film deposition and material research to improve conversion efficiency of thin film solar cells

Essential Responsibilities:

• Assume a key ownership role in our sputtering deposition operations and other vacuum deposition systems within the organization


• Be responsible for the development of innovative materials and processes that can enhance the surface/interface and bulk properties required for high efficiency PV devices


• Control key material properties (such as doping, defects in bulk/interface, band bending) with material synthesis steps.


• Design, execute, and analyze experiments performed hands-on or with help from others


• Develop and maintain process and equipment related to material research


• Prepare and presents reports and analyses as requested


• Knowledge

Experience:    

• Solid knowledge in vacuum technology, sputtering thin film deposition, surface/interface science, defect chemistry, band structure, phase diagrams and thermodynamics


• In-depth understanding of nucleation and growth of thin film materials through various deposition processes


• Working knowledge of surface/interface characterization techniques and ability to interpret data from these tools (e.g. Ellipsometry, XRD, XPS, RAMAN, UV-VIS, AFM/STM, etc)


• Hands-on experience in other physical and chemical deposition and treatment (e.g., evaporation, chemical etching of II-VI semiconductors, mechanical polishing, chemical bath deposition, etc.) is a plus 

Education:

• Ph.D. in the fields of Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Surface Science, Applied Physics, or related scientific discipline. Alternatively, M.S. in the same disciplines and 5 years of post-graduate industrial or academic experience in exceptional cases may be considered

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Strong analytical and problem solving skills, the proven ability to succeed in developing practical solutions that will lead to technology innovations and development


• Familiar with statistical data analysis and design of experiment methodologies


• Good communication skills. Can produce clear data and report, as well as oral presentations.


• Self-driven, energetic, and creative with good interpersonal skills, including working with cross-functional teams

Reporting Relationships:

• This position will report to Senior Member of Technical Staff

Travel:                                                                                                                               

• 10 -15% travel required

US Physical Requirements:

Hybrid 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 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


• 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 guards)


• All associates working on the production floor may be required to wear a respirator at any given time and thus, the ability to wear a respirator is a condition of employment and continued employment (requires little or no facial hair)

Potential candidates will meet the education and experience requirements provided on the above job description and excel in completing the listed responsibilities for this role.   All candidates receiving an offer of employment must successfully complete a background check and any other tests that may be required.      

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: First Solar is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a driving force in the success of our company.