Development Engineering Intern (Fall 2026)

First Solar (US) • Santa Clara, CA

5d • $28 - $31 • Onsite

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.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing an education in a STEM related field, Materials Science, Physics, Applied Physics, Chemistry, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Renewable Energy Sciences preferred.
• Minimum 2 years of undergraduate experience and have Material Science, Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or related STEM field.
• Safety first mindset.
• Ability to learn the operation of process equipment, new processes and characterization tools, and gain expertise in operation of sputter tools.
• Good knowledge of physics and chemistry concepts.
• Experience in collecting data from experiments.
• Good communication and teamwork.
• Strong computer skills.
• Ability to analyze data, present it in an effective manner to team leaders, collaborate with other team members and be open to adapt to new challenges.
• Demonstrated excellence at problem solving and ability to work independently.
• Will sit, stand, or walk short distances for up to 12 hours per day.
• Will climb stairs or steps on a frequent basis.
• Will lift up to 58 pounds on an occasional basis.
• Will lift up to 37 pounds on a frequent basis.
• Will push or pull up to 50 pounds of force on an occasional basis.
• Will push or pull up to 37 pounds of force on a frequent basis.
• Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects on a frequent basis.
• 20/40 vision in both eyes (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 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 or goggles, hearing protection & respirators) and a condition of employment and continued employment (may require little or no facial hair).
• All positions in our office require interaction with people and technology while either standing or sitting.
• Must be able to communicate face-to-face and on the phone with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must successfully complete a background check and any other tests that may be required.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience in a manufacturing facility or R&D lab setting is desired but not mandatory.
• Familiarity with high vacuum deposition tools and/or sputtering deposition processes is highly valued.
• Thin film characterization familiarity (e.g. ellipsometry, Hall, XRD, UV-Vis, AFM, SEM, SIMS, XRR).
• Knowledge of semiconductor device physics.
• Electrical characterization techniques for solar cells (e.g., I-V, EQE, EL, PL).
• Scripting experience.
• Experience with data analysis software such as JMP.
• Hands-on experience with ALD equipment preferred but not mandatory.
• Hands-on experience with wet chemistry processing preferred but not mandatory.
• Hands-on experience in photovoltaic device fabrication/testing preferred but not mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Work on physical vapor deposition tools involving sputtering of thin film layers for solar cell applications.
• Sputtered buffer development to improve device stability for back and front contact.
• Deposit and engage in metrology of thin films.
• Learn and perform solar cell device fabrication and integration processes.
• Characterize prototype solar cells and modules to support sputtering process advancements and study of reliability.
• Support the electrical and material characterization of thin films and photovoltaic devices.
• Present accomplishments and project summary to the leadership team upon completion of the internship.

Benefits

• Flexibility to enroll in classes while working as an intern, if it doesn’t interfere with the essential functions of the position.
• First Solar encourages all interns to register their internship with their university.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Associate degree