Head- Technology Scaling USA

First Solar (US)

18h•Onsite

About The Position

First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset. This role leads strategy, planning, and execution of technology transfer and scaling equipment and process technologies from R&D to Pilot Manufacturing and High-Volume Replication. It involves developing and growing the process and manufacturing integration functions in Pilot Manufacturing, and developing strategy for process improvements in Pilot Manufacturing and subsequently HVM, collaborating with other technical teams. The position requires cross-functional collaboration with Development Engineering, Integrated Supply-Chain, Environmental-Health-Safety, Quality & Reliability to influence and execute on the technology roadmap. It provides leadership to a team comprising Engineering and Operations Managers, Engineers, and Technicians to achieve technology and operational milestones in a timely manner. The role is responsible for matching and sustaining baseline performance in Pilot Manufacturing and in HVM recipient lines during technology transfer. It defines systems for Pilot Mfg. to be swing between Engineering Tests and Production efficiently and error-free, and to monitor baseline performance in production mode. Working with process development and tool replication SMEs, the role derisks next generation technologies, hardware, materials, and other process improvements. It is responsible for the rollout of First Solar’s Throughput, Yield roadmap (performance goals and schedule) working with other Manufacturing Engineering leaders and Bin wattage/module roadmap for satellite factories.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in electrical/Electronic, Mechanical, Chemical, Physics, Material Engineering or technical degree in a related engineering field required.
10 or more years’ experience in engineering discipline including high volume manufacturing and process improvement.
Equipment/process knowledge and experience in fabrication of semiconductor or photovoltaic related devices is required.
At least 7 years of Experience in leading and managing large diverse teams.
Experience in new technology transfer, especially in thin-film device or PV technologies is required.
Experience in navigating change management systems, chairing phase-gate reviews and leading technologies from TRL 3-4 through to TRL 7-8.
Proven knowledge of solar and glass manufacturing.
Proven organizational and supervisory skills.
Six Sigma background.
Statistical background with strong knowledge of SPC.
Knowledge of Theory of Constraints.
Strong background in Robust Engineering and Continuous Improvement.
Proven knowledge of manufacturing processes and equipment.
Excellent communications and problem-solving skills.
Good project management skills.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in engineering specialty area, PhD desired.
Experience leading global teams a plus.

Responsibilities

Leads strategy, planning and execution of technology transfer and scaling equipment and process technologies from R&D to Pilot Manufacturing and High-Volume Replication.
Develop and grow the process and manufacturing integration functions in Pilot Manufacturing.
Develop strategy for process improvements in Pilot Manufacturing, and subsequently HVM, collaborating with other technical teams.
Work cross-functionally with Development Engineering, Integrated Supply-Chain, Environmental-Health-Safety, Quality & Reliability to influence and execute on technology roadmap.
Provides leadership to a team comprising Engineering and Operations Managers, Engineers and Technicians to achieve technology and operational milestones in a timely manner.
Responsible for matching and sustaining baseline performance in Pilot Manufacturing and in HVM recipient lines during technology transfer.
Defines systems for Pilot Mfg. to be swing between Engineering Tests and Production in an efficient error-free manner and to monitor baseline performance in production mode.
Working with process development and tool replication SMEs, derisk next generation technologies, hardware, materials, and other process improvements.
Responsible for the rollout of First Solar’s Throughput, Yield roadmap (performance goals and schedule) working with other Manufacturing Engineering leaders and Bin wattage/module roadmap for satellite factories.
Responsible for creating strategy and planning for taking new technologies from development to high volume manufacturing.
Guide teams in setting appropriate priorities for Engineering Tests, Module Builds, and define systems tracking progress including oversight of OpEx.
Analyze and review complex large data sets from process, equipment, and device summarize and communicate in a succinct and clear manner to executive leadership including next plan of action.
Execute to company’s AI roadmap – oversight of relevant AI-ML solutions to generate relevant actionable insights and automate decision making.
Provide regular project and program progress reports to leadership and stakeholders.
Publish all required documentation (process book, work instructions, operations systems etc) to enable transition from R&D line to Pilot Manufacturing and later to High Volume Manufacturing.
Interface with team members and stakeholders from R&D, Manufacturing, Q&R and product groups.
Co-own equipment and process development roadmap to support future technology revision into manufacturing.
Develop models for the impact of HVM technology upgrades and other continuous programs on P90 goals, develop plans to mitigate the impact and ensure adherence to agreed criteria.
Lead teams to troubleshoot and problem solving for issues related to planning and technology transfer.
Presents project and program status reports.
Develops project budgets (including Op-ex and Capex) and maintains systems to ensure adherence to the plan.
Responsible for system downtime tracking and prevention to enable P90 goals to be achieved.
Adhere to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards.
Ensure compliance with Quality, Environment, Health and Safety and Responsible Business Alliance policies and procedures that is enforced within the organization.
Other duties as assigned.