Engineer- Manufacturing II USA (1st Shift)

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

Basic Job Functions:

• Data Analyst and Automation: Identifying and implementing opportunities for efficient process engineering utilizing data, modeling and applying Industry4.0/ Advanced analytics concepts for improving Yield, Wattage, and process control 

Education/Experience:

• Associates Degree in a technical discipline with 2 years’ experience as First Solar Manufacturing Engineer I or 3 years Engineering experience in desired areas, or 2 years Engineering experience and 6 years technical experience in desired areas
• Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline with 2 years’ experience as First Solar Manufacturing Engineer I or 3 years Engineering experience in desired areas or 2 years Engineering experience and 3 years technical experience in desired areas or
• MS Degree in a technical discipline with 2-4 years Engineering experience in desired areas or
• PhD Degree in a technical discipline with 0-3 years Engineering experience in desired areas 
• Desired Areas - One or more of following: Process Development, Integration, Process Engineering, Manufacturing System, Product and Yield engineering

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Excellent oral and written communications skills 
• Strong track record of effective problem-solving, and root-cause analysis working with cross functional technical teams 
• Understanding of manufacturing engineering systems (FMEA, SPC) and structured problem-solving methods (such as DMAIC) 
• Demonstrated proficiency in Statistical Data Analysis, DOE and experience using any statistical software (Like Minitab, JMP, SAS, Matlab etc) 
• Proficient with programming languages (Python, Matlab, R, Javascript or similar), relational databases (SQL server, C#), data analysis and visualization software's (preferably JMP, Tableau, SAS). 
• Experienced with standard data science and machine learning packages • Have solid understanding of the machine learning model stack (regression, classification, neural networks, time series) and packages (Scikit learn, Xgboost, Keras, Pytorch, Tensorflow, statsmodels)
• Ability to work with minimal supervision 
• Experience in high volume ramp and/or new tech transfer 
• Lean Manufacturing knowledge

Essential Responsibilities:

• Ensure adherence to all safety/environmental procedures
• Ability to lead discussion with cross-functional departments and satellite sites to ensure timely communication and effective problem solving
• Design statistical experiments and Analyze data using sound statistical methodology to drive improvements and recommendations to operations of process engineering
• Provide engineering support for high volume manufacturing across multiple engineering departments in a global organization, working with international teams in cross functional environment 
• Develop and provide training to engineering technicians, and production associates
• Analyze data and trends, correlate to metrics, and identify data driven solution for detection and alert
• Implement production solution for efficient use of metric monitoring and visualization to identify top issues for the day
• Implement advanced data models for wattage prediction and label for solar panel utilizing process inputs and outputs
• Predictive analysis for optimizing throughput, yield and improve process control
• Utilize Industry4.0 elements to improve process and productivity
• Develop proof of concepts and scale them up to production levels locally and cross plant
• Other duties as assigned
• Job description subject to change at any time

Reporting Relationships:

• This position could have direct reports.

Travel:

• Domestic and international travel as required
• If hiring to a new plant prior to plant start, associate will be required to spend extended time (60-80%) in another plant in either Ohio or Alabama for training until their assigned plan starts equipment installation

Estimated Salary Range:

• $75,100 - $107,000, Annually

US Physical Requirements:

Manufacturing & Maintenance Physical Requirements:

• Will sit, stand or walk short distances for up to 12 hours per day
• Will climb stairs on an occasional basis
• Will exert up to 58 pounds of force to lift, push or pull on a seldom basis
• Will lift, push or pull up to 27 pounds on a frequent basis
• Will lift up to 51 pounds on an occasional basis, according to work instructions.
• 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, 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)          

Office Physical Requirements:

All positions in our office require interaction with people and technology while either standing or sitting. In order to best service our customers, internal and external, all associates must be able to communicate face-to-face and on the phone with or without reasonable accommodation. First Solar is committed to compliance with its obligations under all applicable state and federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. In keeping with this commitment, it attempts to reasonably accommodate applicants and employees in accordance with the requirements of the disability discrimination laws. It also invites individuals with disabilities to participate in a good faith, interactive process to identify reasonable accommodations that can be made without imposing an undue hardship.

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 band 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.