Development Engineer II- Wet Coating/Surface Treatment
First Solar
Leading provider of solar energy solutions, manufacturing innovative photovoltaic modules.
Develops and optimizes wet coating processes to boost solar cell efficiency.
10 days ago
$80,700 - $115,000
Junior (1-3 years)
Full Time
Perrysburg, OH
Onsite
Company Size
3,700 Employees
Service Specialisms
Engineering
Project Management
Design
Construction services
Technical Services
Consulting
Turnkey
Sector Specialisms
Energy
Utilities
Commercial
Industrial
Role
Description
material research
experiment planning
spec evaluation
material analysis
statistical analysis
process improvement
Complies with Company's Environmental, Quality, Safety or any other policies that have been enforced.
Will climb stairs on an occasional basis.
Perform material and device research to enhance thin film solar cell performance and stability and to reduce manufacturing cost.
Applies statistical and engineering methods to optimize organizational effectiveness. Improves methods for use by others.
May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis.
Plan, execute and characterize development engineering experiments in the laboratory and manufacturing environment.
May be responsible to determine and evaluate material specification for improved performance. May be responsible to determine and evaluate tool/equipment specifications.
Will sit, stand or walk short distances for up to the entire duration of a shift.
Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects on a frequent basis.
Responsible for projects or functions that are enablers to department goals and deliverables.
May train, mentor and manage junior associates.
Will lift, push or pull up to 37 pounds on an occasional basis.
Identify opportunities for improvement in solar cell efficiency, material selection and process/equipment design through engineering, scientific or empirical methods.
Apply state-of-the-art techniques for material analysis, statistical analysis of data or execution/planning of experiments. Develop a work plan that can address problems with well understood solution paths.
Requirements
ph.d.
master’s
wet processing
atmospheric plasma
analytical
communication
Associate’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 15 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer I at First Solar.
Experience with atmospheric plasma preferred
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.
Bachelor’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 5 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer I at First Solar.
Ph.D. in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline, without prior technical work experience.
Ability to make and execute detailed plans to achieve objectives with strong sense of ownership.
May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis.
Analytical skills to interpret data and derive conclusions.
20/40 vision in both eyes together, with or without correction, is required.
Hands-on experience with wet processing equipment and processes such as wet etch, roll coating, ARC deposition, CMP, ECD etc. preferred
Effective communicator with internal and external partners and customers. Effective team member that can support cross-functional projects and take ownership of sub-deliverables.
Comprehensive understanding of functional business units’ core area (e.g., sputter or materials science), with expert knowledge in at least one area.
Master’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 3 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer I at First Solar.
Must be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures.
Good communication skills across organizations.
Skills and hands-on experience in execution of experiments in laboratory or manufacturing environment.
Benefits
$80,700-$115,000 Annually.
Training + Development
Information not given or found
Interview process
Information not given or found
Visa Sponsorship
Information not given or found
Security clearance
offer contingent on successful completion of background check and any required tests.
Company
Overview
20 GW
Solar Installations Completed
Completed over 20 gigawatts of solar installations globally, demonstrating significant contributions to renewable energy projects worldwide.
Focuses on manufacturing advanced photovoltaic (PV) solar modules and providing utility-scale PV power plants.
Offers a range of solutions, from manufacturing to large-scale solar power projects, emphasizing sustainability.
Pioneers a closed-loop recycling process for solar panels, reducing environmental impact.
Drives clean energy transformation with integrated solutions including development, financing, and operation of solar plants.
Culture + Values
“Responsible Solar” — commitment to environmental stewardship from sourcing through end‑of‑life management
“Principled foundation” — zero tolerance for human rights abuses and strong governance
Transparency — first solar manufacturer to publish onsite third‑party social‑audit findings globally
Since 2008, GHG intensity reduced ~77%; since 2020, energy per watt down 15%, water intensity down 48%
2023: manufacturing water recycling up 88%, 318M L recycled; water intensity down 6%, waste intensity down 28%
Series 6 Plus and Series 7 TR1 modules achieved EPEAT Climate+ (≤400 kg CO₂ e/kWp)
Manufacturing energy intensity per watt reduced 65% since 2009; goal: 74% by 2028
Inclusion & Diversity
Conducted RBA‑validated third‑party social audits across global manufacturing: U.S. and Vietnam received platinum rating; Malaysia facility assessed and corrective actions underway