Development Engineer Intern (Spring 2027)
About The Position
Leading the world’s sustainable energy future, At First Solar, interns play a vital role in shaping the future of sustainable energy. Opportunities are available across various departments including research and development, marketing, project development, information technology, engineering, and energy services. Interns gain hands-on, real-world experience and are challenged daily to solve meaningful problems. You’ll have the chance to explore innovative solutions, develop new skills, and contribute to impactful projects that align with our mission. First Solar fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation, encouraging team members to take smart risks, learn from setbacks, and continuously improve. Interns are expected to take ownership of their work and demonstrate accountability while working toward a cleaner energy future. The Development Engineering Intern will support Development Engineering activities during 1.5 or 2nd shift operations. The intern will learn and independently operate process and testing equipment, collect and analyse process data, communicate shift activities through detailed pass-down reports, and collaborate with engineers to identify process opportunities and investigate equipment or process excursions. The project will help accelerate engineering decision-making from inline runs, enabling faster optimization of process conditions and supporting the department's continuous improvement objectives. Upon the completion of this internship, the intern is required to present their accomplishments and project summary to the leadership team.
Requirements
- Pursuing a Bachelor's in a STEM-related discipline.
- Year: Senior undergraduate student or graduate student with strong academic standing
- Fundamental understanding of materials science and engineering principles, basic mechanical and electrical concepts, statistics and data analysis, and strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and experience working with technical data is preferred.
- Strong commitment to safety, ability to follow standardized work instructions, effective communication and teamwork skills, attention to detail in data collection and documentation, willingness to learn new tools and processes, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Nice To Haves
- Preferred majors include Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
- Experience with polymer science, materials characterization, Instron mechanical testing equipment, failure analysis techniques, statistical process control, or manufacturing environments is beneficial but not required.
Responsibilities
- Achieve qualification and safe operation of designated development engineering tools and equipment during 1.5 or 2nd shift operations.
- Prepare and distribute clear daily shift pass-down reports summarizing process performance, key observations, and follow-up actions.
- Monitor, collect, and analyze process data, document excursions, and support troubleshooting activities to improve process understanding.
- Support finishing operation for PKA inline runs to enable same day finishing process.
Benefits
- Flexibility to enroll in classes while working as an intern, if it doesn’t interfere with the essential functions of the position.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Intern
