Job Description:

First Solar is leading the world’s sustainable energy future. We are an exciting work environment in one of the most important industries of 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. Our cost-advantaged solar technology boasts the smallest carbon footprint, lowest life cycle water use, and fastest energy payback in the industry. We are delivering solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges including climate change, energy security, water scarcity, and the unsustainable growing consumption of natural resources. At First Solar, you will feel valued, appreciated and challenged, working side-by-side with some of the top minds in the industry. You will be regularly updated on the company’s goals, progress and achievements. First Solar maintains a culture where all associates work together to lead the world’s sustainable energy future. We believe in employee engagement, collaboration, well-being and productivity for all generations and emerging work styles.We’re changing the world. Now, let us start with yours. First Solar is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. First Solar’s policy is not to discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability or any other basis protected by application country, federal, state or local laws; the company prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories.

Primary Job Functions:

Location:

This position will primarily report to one of the three manufacturing sites in the Perrysburg area. Specific site preferences are not guaranteed. Must be willing to work at PGT1, PGT2, or PGT3.

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma or the equivalent from an accredited high school or institution required.

• Associates degree in technical discipline preferred.

• 2 years operations supervision or management experience required.

• 2 years First Solar operations supervision preferred.

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Safety First mindset.

• Basic math skills.

• Thorough understanding of all production processes and equipment.

• Must be able to work in a team environment.

• Basic problem solving and critical thinking skills.

• Good written and oral communication skills.

• Knowledge of electrical, mechanical, or chemical systems preferred.

• Basic troubleshooting and problem solving skills.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Words and Outlook).

• Proficient in data mining/report such as System Applications and Product (SAP), Report Manager, Pro Clarity and JMP.

• Understanding of production control systems, equipment run-rate, Theory of Constraints, WIP management and floor layout interaction.

• Understanding of direct and indirect material list, consumption POR, replenishment, storage and tracking system.

• Proven ability to effectively manage salaried and production associates.

• Proven ability to train and develop associates.

• Excellent organizational and planning skills.

• The ideal candidate should have the ability to think outside the box and to develop unique and timely solutions

• Experience and working knowledge of continuous improvement tools.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Adhere to all safety procedures and 5S standards.

• Ability to take strategy and convert into actionable deliverables to meet daily, weekly and monthly P90.

• Responsible for effective communication, fostering teamwork and cross functional management.

• Actively communicate with shift managers and cross functional section manager to achieve operations objectives.

• Review all key process input and output parameters, commonality study to trigger fast mixing test, and perform next level analysis to isolate the possible contributing process before escalate to engineering.

• Coordinate, schedule and prioritize production related activities, personnel, projects, planning and other functions within with various crews and support departments.

• Lead and drive plant operations action items to closure with functional owners to remove constraints for 24X7 operations. Provide assessment for operation recovery and assignment of headcount, WIP.

• Coordinate with functional section managers for creation of new change request throughout the 24X7 operation with emphasis on standardized practices to minimize capacity lost.

• Contribute to continuous improvement in safety, quality and operations.

• Content expert and point of contact for coater, submodule or finishing operations.

Operations Engineer I - REQ-009207 First Solar Proprietary & Confidential - General

• Coordinate and drive respective area tools utilization, availability or cycle time improvement projects or related issues with regards to coater, submodule or finishing operations such as headcount planning and development, material allocation, upgrade activities, ETA execution and yield improvement.

• Drive and own coater pitstop, HPVD & Metalizer target change, working scrap management or module palletizing execution consistency and quality across 4 crews.

• Drive manufacturing execution team and support groups to meet desired Operational Efficiency (OE = MU/MA) target versus Machine Availability (MA).

• Effectively utilize support teams to find root cause and resolve issue to improve safety, quality and throughput.

• Review and approve respective area process change work instructions to ensure manufacturing viability.

• Provide technical support to operations workforce development team to create training lesson plan for coater, submodule or finishing operations area.

• Train and guide coater, submodule or finishing supervisors and technicians to improve their technical competencies.

Reporting Relationships:

• No direct reports.

Travel:

• Up to 10% annually.

US Physical Requirements:

• Will sit, stand or walk short distances for up to 12 hours per day.

• Will climb stairs on an occasional basis.

• Will lift up to 51 pounds on an occasional basis, according to work instruction.

• Will lift up to 37 pounds on a frequent basis

• Will push or pull up to 27 pounds of force on an occasional basis.

• Will push or pull up to 10 pounds of force on a frequent basis.

• Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects repetitively on a frequent basis.

• 20/40 vision in each eye (with or without correction) and the ability to distinguish between red, yellow and green is required.

• May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis.

• May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis.

• Must be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures.

• Ability to wear personal protective equipment is required (including but not limited to; steel toed shoes, cut resistant gloves, jackets, aprons &/or arm guards, safety glasses, hearing protection).

• 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).

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