Engineer- Development I USA

First Solar (US)•Santa Clara, CA

3d•$89,440 - $127,400

About The Position

The Development Engineer I performs material and device research to improve thin-film solar-cell performance and stability while reducing manufacturing costs. The role plans, executes, and characterizes development engineering experiments in laboratory and manufacturing environments, and applies statistical and engineering methods to optimize processes and improve methods for broader use. The position focuses on development and support of patterning processes for perovskite solar modules, especially laser scribing and potentially inkjet printing. It handles complex projects requiring innovation and contributes to department objectives. The role reports to a Development Engineer III or Manager- Device Research and may have direct reports. Travel may be up to 10% domestically and internationally. The estimated salary range is USD 89,440–127,400 per year. The job description may change at any time. Candidates receiving an offer must successfully complete a background check and any other required tests.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in an engineering or similar technical discipline and 10 years of relevant technical experience, or 2 years of experience as an Associate Engineer or Development Engineer Technician III at First Solar; alternatively, a bachelor’s degree in engineering or materials science and 3 years of relevant technical experience, or 2 years of experience as an Associate Engineer or Development Engineer Technician III at First Solar; alternatively, a master’s degree in engineering or materials science and 1 year of relevant technical experience, or 2 years of experience as an Associate Engineer at First Solar.
Hands-on experience in laser-scribing development and laser equipment operation or troubleshooting for thin-film devices.
Knowledge of thin-film materials and multilayer device structures, and process-integration experience in relevant fields such as photovoltaics, displays, or semiconductors.
Ability to design experiments, analyze data, and perform root-cause analysis to optimize processes.
Working knowledge of characterization methods such as microscopy, profilometry, electrical testing, SEM, XRD, TOFSIMS, XRF, or ellipsometry.
Strong technical documentation skills, including SOPs, QCPs, and training matrices, as well as communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Familiarity with DOE and statistical-analysis tools such as JMP, Minitab, MATLAB, or Python.
Familiarity with AutoCAD for precision design.
Ability to work independently without supervision and follow safe work practices, with full understanding of LOTO.
Ability to communicate regularly with associates at all levels.
Excellent written and oral presentation skills; demonstrated critical thinking and attention to detail.
Team-oriented, accountable, agile, and self-motivated.
Willingness to work after hours or long hours to meet deadlines or respond to urgent situations.
Ability to comply with safety standards and procedures and to wear required personal protective equipment, including a respirator when required for production-floor work.
Ability to meet the stated physical requirements, including occasional lifting, pushing, or pulling of up to 37 pounds and the specified vision requirement.

Nice To Haves

Experience with perovskite solar cells or modules.
Experience with inkjet printhead operation, waveform optimization, jetting stability, and functional inks.
Ability to correlate laser and printing processes with photovoltaic device efficiency, fill factor, resistance, yield, and reliability, and implement improvements.
Experience transferring processes from laboratory development to pilot-line or manufacturing environments.

Responsibilities

Own patterning process development for perovskite solar modules, including laser-scribe and inkjet-print processes.
Develop, optimize, and qualify laser-scribing processes for perovskite solar cells and interconnected modules.
Evaluate laser technologies and associated equipment, including laser sources, beam-delivery optics, galvanometer scanners, translation stages, vision systems, extraction systems, and process-monitoring technologies.
Establish robust process windows for scribes, edge deletion, perimeter isolation, and contact-opening processes while protecting underlying and adjacent materials and minimizing laser-induced defects.
Optimize laser parameters and develop alignment strategies among laser patterns, printed features, coated layers, and substrate fiducials.
Optimize module layout and interconnect geometry to maximize active area and improve geometric resistance and efficiency.
Establish standard operating procedures and preventive-maintenance procedures for laser processes and tool maintenance.
Troubleshoot laser-process issues and improve yield and throughput.
As applicable, develop inkjet-print processes by evaluating printheads, nozzle technologies, fluid-delivery systems, waveform control, drop-watchers, substrate handling, and environmental controls.
Develop stable jetting conditions by optimizing printhead waveforms, drop characteristics, operating conditions, and print settings.
Characterize ink properties and optimize interactions among ink, substrate, and deposited device layers.
Control wetting, coalescence, drying, crystallization, and surface and interface quality.
Optimize drying, annealing, curing, or photonic post-treatment to achieve required film properties without degrading underlying device structures.
Develop alignment strategies for area-selective printing or patterning.
Prevent and resolve printing issues such as missing jets, nozzle clogging, satellite droplets, non-uniform line width, and line breaks.
Develop standard operating procedures and preventive-maintenance procedures for printing processes.
Support laser-scribing and inkjet-print operations and respond to urgent tool-recovery needs.
Comply with company environmental, quality, safety, and other enforced policies.
Perform other duties as assigned.