Development Engineer II

First Solar (US)•Santa Clara, CA

1d•$104,910 - $142,000•Onsite

About The Position

First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset. This role involves leading the design, implementation, and validation of electrical control systems and PLC/HMI programming. You will support end-to-end equipment commissioning, vendor checkout, and system startup. The position also drives data collection, optimization, and visualization for control systems, and develops software tools to improve workflows and enable AI/ML adoption. Integration with MES, SQL databases, and enterprise systems, as well as troubleshooting control system and equipment issues, are key aspects of this role.

Requirements

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.
Strong programming skills in Python, with experience using libraries such as NumPy, pandas, scikit-learn, TensorFlow, or PyTorch
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
All candidates receiving an offer of employment must successfully complete a background check and any other tests that may be required.

Responsibilities

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
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.