PV Reliability Manager

Corning • Phoenix, AZ

1d • $140,696 - $193,457

About The Position

The PV Reliability Manager serves as Corning’s technical expert for photovoltaic module reliability, qualification, certification, and reliability-laboratory development. The role helps shift the business from testing execution to ownership of reliability requirements, qualification strategy, and product acceptance criteria. The manager builds and improves reliability-lab capability and leads certification and reliability-improvement efforts to reduce product risk, speed qualification, strengthen product data packages, and support durable, commercially released solar modules.

The position partners across Corning and with external organizations to develop reliability test plans and acceptance criteria, lead qualification and certification planning, and integrate module-level reliability expertise. It establishes laboratory capabilities, procedures, quality practices, and data-management systems; directs testing and failure investigations; and communicates results through reports, risk assessments, readiness recommendations, and certification packages. The role also turns reliability findings into improvements to module design, materials, supplier requirements, manufacturing controls, and product quality, while mentoring lab personnel and supporting production, engineering, and operations.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, or another relevant technical or scientific discipline.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in photovoltaic reliability, module qualification, certification, laboratory operations, product engineering, quality engineering, or a closely related technical field.
• Demonstrated hands-on expertise with photovoltaic module reliability testing and environmental test methods.
• Strong working knowledge of IEC 61215, IEC 61730, and related PV module qualification, safety, and certification standards.
• Experience operating, developing, improving, or commissioning a reliability, quality, or environmental-test laboratory.
• Experience with laboratory-quality systems, controlled procedures, calibration and verification programs, equipment maintenance, and traceable technical records.
• Strong technical writing, presentation, data-analysis, and communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and statistical or problem-solving tools.

Nice To Haves

• Direct experience with IEC/UL 61215, IEC/UL 61730, UL 2703, UL 3703, Qualification Plus, and related PV module, mounting-system, or component standards.
• Experience leading external laboratory audits, witness testing, production-factory surveillance, certification-body interactions, or technical reviews.
• Expertise in PV degradation mechanisms, accelerated stress testing, failure analysis, reliability modeling, and field-performance evaluation.
• Experience with Minitab, JMP, DOE, FMEA/FMECA, statistical analysis, or reliability-data modeling.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the business’ technical expert for PV module reliability, qualification, certification, and reliability-laboratory development.
• Partner across Corning and with external partners to develop and execute reliability test plans and product acceptance criteria, integrating module-level reliability with Corning Reliability expertise.
• Lead qualification and certification planning for new products, product changes, materials, suppliers, and manufacturing changes; coordinate with external test laboratories, certification bodies, and industry partners.
• Establish and continuously improve the reliability laboratory, including equipment and capability planning, test methods, operating procedures, calibration and verification systems, safety, laboratory quality practices, and data-management systems.
• Lead or direct module-level accelerated testing, reliability evaluations, and failure investigations, including environmental, performance, safety, and durability testing.
• Analyze and communicate reliability results through technical reports, risk assessments, product-readiness recommendations, and certification data packages.
• Translate reliability findings into improvements in module design, materials, specifications, supplier requirements, manufacturing controls, and product quality architecture across the poly-to-module value chain.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to laboratory personnel and cross-functional teams, and help build scalable internal reliability capability and standard work.
• Support production quality, engineering, and operations on reliability and quality topics, including investigations of product failures, field returns, near-limit results, supplier concerns, and process excursions.
• Lead root-cause analysis and structured problem solving with Quality, Materials, Process Engineering, Manufacturing, Corning’s Technology Community, suppliers, and external partners.
• Translate test outcomes into actionable improvements to module design, materials, specifications, manufacturing controls, supplier requirements, and product architecture.

Benefits

• Company-wide bonuses and long-term incentives.
• Company matching contributions to a 401(k) savings plan of up to 4% of pay when the employee contributes at least 6% of pay.
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Paid parental leave and family building support.
• Fitness benefits.
• Company-paid life insurance and disability benefits.
• Disease management programs.
• Paid time off.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager