Engineer- Manufacturing II USA

First Solar (US)•Gaffney, SC

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

This role is responsible for installing and qualifying new process equipment, troubleshooting day-to-day manufacturing issues on the production line, and identifying actions to prevent repeat issues. The engineer will also identify and implement system improvements to achieve throughput, yield, and product performance goals. The position involves developing, continuously improving, and documenting robust solar module manufacturing processes, injecting manufacturing requirements into new process development, and designing/executing experiments to establish manufacturing process windows. The engineer will be responsible for solving production, equipment, and process problems, evaluating, installing, and qualifying new equipment, and collecting/analyzing data related to equipment and product performance. This role requires interfacing with internal associates and supplier representatives, maintaining communication with production associates and manufacturing engineers, setting up and maintaining gauges, and providing training to other engineers, technicians, and production associates. The engineer will champion continuous improvement activities using six-sigma and other statistical problem-solving methods, provide mentorship to junior engineers and technicians, and develop Process Control Plans and Preventive Maintenance Plans. The role requires minimal supervision, adherence to safety procedures and housekeeping standards, and may involve domestic and international travel. The engineer will also develop and maintain drawings, process specifications, and standard operating procedures. Other duties as assigned are part of the role, and the job description is subject to change.

Requirements

Associates Degree in a technical discipline with 2 years of experience as First Solar Manufacturing Engineer I or 3 years Engineering experience in a manufacturing setting, or 2 years Engineering experience and 6 years Technical experience in a manufacturing setting
Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline with 2 years of experience as First Solar Manufacturing Engineer I or 3 years Engineering experience in a manufacturing setting or 2 years Engineering experience and 3 years Technical experience in a manufacturing setting
MS Degree in a technical discipline with 2-4 years Engineering experience in a manufacturing setting
PhD Degree in a technical discipline with 0-3 years Engineering experience in a manufacturing setting
Demonstrated Proficiency in Statistical Data Analysis
Excellent problem-solving skills
Demonstrated Proficiency Metrology and measurement best practices
Demonstrated Proficiency in writing complete manufacturing documentation
Understands and can apply Design of Experiments
Demonstrated Proficiency in applying Statistical Process Control
Structured Problem-Solving Method (such as DMAIC)
Demonstrated knowledge of manufacturing processes
Demonstrated proficiency in generating and maintaining FMEAs
Demonstrated capability to train operators, technicians, and new engineers
Ability to work autonomously to achieve goals
Excellent oral and written communications skills
Ability to wear personal protective equipment is required (including but not limited to; steel-toed shoes, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, protective jacket or apron and arm guards, and a condition of employment and continued employment (requires little or no facial hair) for those requiring respirator use.
Must be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of General Electronics
Knowledge in General Mechanical Systems
Demonstrated proficiency with applying Robust Engineering principles to develop and implementing processes

Responsibilities

Install and qualify new process equipment.
Troubleshoot day-to-day manufacturing issues on the production line in a timely manner, including tool down issues, yield, and quality issues.
Identify actions to prevent repeat issues.
Identify and/or implement system improvements that contribute to the achievement of throughput, yield, and product performance goals.
Develop, continuously improve, and document robust solar module manufacturing processes to achieve the highest product performance in a cost-efficient manner.
Inject manufacturing requirements to new process development by working with the development team.
Design and execute experiments to establish manufacturing process window.
Responsible for solving day-to-day production, equipment, and process problems.
Evaluate, Install and Qualify new equipment.
Design and execute planned process experiments, collect and analyze data and report experimental results.
Responsible for data collection relating to daily equipment performance and associated product performance.
Responsible to interface with internal associates and supplier representatives as required to complete assigned projects.
Maintain effective communication with production associates and manufacturing engineers.
Set up new gauges and perform Gauge maintenance.
Develop and provide training to other engineers, engineering technicians, and production associates.
Champion continuous improvement activities using six-sigma and other statistical problem-solving methods.
Provide mentorship to Jr. engineers and Technicians.
Develop Process Control Plans and Preventive Maintenance Plans.
Works with minimal supervision.
Adhere to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards.
Domestic and International travel as required.
Develop and maintain drawings, process specifications, develop and enforce standard operating procedures.
Perform data collection relating to daily equipment performance and associated product performance.
Other duties as assigned.