Development Engineer II - Thin Film Deposition USA

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

Basic Job Functions:

Thin film deposition and materials research to improve conversion efficiency of thin film solar cells.

Plan, execute and characterize laboratory experiments. Communicate results across organization. Accountable for experimental conclusions and recommendations.

Applies statistical and engineering methods to optimize organizational effectiveness. Improves methods for use by others.

Education/Experience:

Associate's Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline (Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Surface Science, preferred) 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 (Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Surface Science, preferred) 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 (Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Surface Science, preferred) 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 (Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Surface Science, preferred) discipline or similar technical discipline, without prior technical work experience.

Required Skills/Competencies:

Experience in thin film material science, vacuum technology and multiple thin film deposition techniques including sputtering, ALD, and evaporation.

Experience in thin film materials characterization and analysis (VASE, XRD, XPS, UV-Vis, etc.).

Analytical and problem-solving skills.

Data analysis and technical reporting.

Sense of project ownership with hands-on and can-do attitude.

Strong communication skills across organizations.

Essential Responsibilities:

Identify opportunities for improvement in solar cell efficiency through materials innovation and deposition processes.

Develop and maintain process and equipment related to materials research.

Design, execute, analyze, and report experiments with necessary follow up.

Identifies key process characteristics based on understanding of the material science and process technology.

Apply state of the art techniques for material analysis, statistical analysis of data or execution/planning of experiments. Develop a work plan that can address problems with well understood solution paths.

Effective communicator with internal and external partners and customers. Effective team member that can support cross-functional projects and take ownership of sub-deliverables.

May train, mentor and manage junior associates.

Complies with Company's Environmental, Quality, Safety or any other policies that have been enforced.

Other duties as assigned.

Job description subject to change at any time.

Reporting Relationships:

Reports to Development Engineer or Development Manager.

Travel:

0% - 5% (On occasion/as needed for training, etc.)

Estimated Salary Range:

$78,600-$112,000 Annually

US 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 basi