Development Engineer Technician

First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.

Basic Job Functions:

• Perform materials analysis and characterization in a laboratory environment to provide timely, reliable feedback to development teams.

• Prepare, inspect, and test samples using established laboratory procedures and analytical techniques such as SEM, XRD, AFM, UV-Vis, TRPL, optical microscopy, and related tools.

• Document observations, summarize results, and communicate data clearly.

• Support routine lab equipment upkeep, calibration coordination, consumables management, and safe operation of characterization tools.

Education/Experience:

• High School Diploma or equivalent and 10 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer Technician I at First Solar.

• Associate’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 Technician I at First Solar.

• Bachelor’s Degree in engineering discipline or similar technical discipline, without prior technical work experience.

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Hands-on aptitude for materials characterization, sample preparation, and laboratory testing using tools such as SEM, XRD, AFM, UV-Vis, TRPL, optical microscopes, and related analytical equipment.

• Ability to follow standard operating procedures, maintain accurate lab records, and generate clear summaries of measurements, observations, and data trends.

• Basic troubleshooting skills for laboratory instruments, sample handling issues, software workflows, and measurement repeatability.

• Intermediate computer skills, including MS Office and ability to learn data management, analysis, or visualization tools.

• Strong attention to detail, commitment to lab safety, willingness to learn.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Execute routine and non-routine measurements using laboratory equipment as assigned.

• Maintain laboratory readiness by supporting equipment checks, basic troubleshooting, preventive maintenance coordination, calibration scheduling, consumables inventory, and safe work practices.

• Coordinate with engineers and cross-functional lab users to manage priorities, communicate turnaround expectations, and escalate equipment or data-quality concerns.