Facilities Engineer

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

Basic Job Functions: 

The Facility Engineer I will oversee assigned building system maintenance, housekeeping, landscaping, contractor work administration, and safety management. This role will receive input from various internal and external sources, working with Plant Replication, Manufacturing and Development Engineering to modify and sustain facility systems.  The successful individual will have a broad knowledge of the existing facilities, production equipment, and manufacturing processes.

Education/Experience:

• High School diploma and one of the following qualifications:
  • 5 years as a Facility Engineering Technician in a Manufacturing environment. 
  • Skilled trades certification as an Electrical or Mechanical Journeyman with 3 years in a Manufacturing environment.
• Associate degree in a technical discipline with 3 years as a Facility Engineering Technician in a manufacturing environment.
• Bachelor’s Degree in a technical discipline.
• Demonstrates experience with commercial building utility power, air compressors, emergency generators, plumbing, fire detection, and facility systems. 
• Able to detect and resolve problems using professional knowledge and strong problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of Facilities Engineering Techniques and Practices.
• Knowledge of computer applications including CAD a plus.

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Knowledge of building electrical, mechanical and HVAC with a strong emphasis on electrical systems.
• Knowledge of OSHA 70E Arc Flash programs.
• Knowledge of facility BMS systems, life safety, and fire systems.
• Excellent communications skills; able to communicate technical requirements to non-technical stakeholders.
• A team player with the ability to work well with internal and external teams.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and coordinate multiple work streams across all building systems, balancing safety, uptime, cost, and schedule.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Ensures that all contractors and on-site vendors are aware of and adhere to all Company Safety Procedures and that they signify by signing the proper documentation.
• Interfaces with other departments, contractors, and supplier personnel to align facility priorities with production needs and planned outages.
• Participates in troubleshooting and restoration of building system upsets and outages; coordinates response, communicates status/ETA, and drives permanent corrective actions.
• Provides day-to-day technical direction to facility technicians and vendors, including assigning work priorities, clarifying methods/standards, coordinating access/LOTO as applicable, and verifying completion/quality.
• Assists in the department budget process and audits the same to ensure that goals are met.
• Responsible for effective communications levels and fosters team building.
• Responsible for adherence to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards.
• Identifies and recommends opportunities for cost savings.                   
• Acts as the technical representative for an assigned building’s systems and infrastructure, ensuring safe, compliant, reliable operation and lifecycle management.
• Evaluates and recommends facility-related contractors including grounds/building maintenance, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. Develops scopes, administers contracts, ensures quality service and pricing, and resolves discrepancies.
• Plans, coordinates, and supports activities concerned with design, construction, modification, and maintenance of building and utility equipment and systems for the assigned building, partnering with project management as needed.
• Sustains required programs/standards for facility systems within the assigned building, including electrical safety (OSHA 70E), preventive maintenance, inspections, and documentation control.
• Recommends equipment and services purchased to improve operating efficiencies and provides justification required. Conducts comprehensive studies to analyze and improve utility and departmental effectiveness.
• Provides leadership in achieving safety goals. Ensures on-going safety awareness for facilities department and ensures that various environmental and safety regulatory requirements are met.
• Maintains and modifies facility engineering system documentation.
• Provides oversight for new construction projects. Ensures that contractors are performing work that is timely and meets specifications. Ensures that invoices for work and materials are in accordance with the contract. Resolves any problems with contractor or material supplier.
• Maintains assigned building systems and grounds in a safe, compliant, and reliable condition through coordination of preventive maintenance, corrective repairs, and vendor-supported services.
• Other duties as assigned.

Reporting Relationships:

• This position will not have direct reports.

Travel:

• 0% - 5% (On occasion/as needed for training, etc.)

Estimated Salary Range:

• $62,500.00-$89,000.00

US Physical Requirements: 

• Will sit, stand, or walk short distances for up to the entire duration of a shift.
• Will climb stairs on an occasional basis.
• Will lift, push, or pull up to 37 pounds on an occasional basis. 
• Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects on a frequent basis.
• 20/40 vision in both eyes together, with or without correction, is required.
• Must be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures.
• May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis.
• May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis.
• 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.

Office Physical Requirements:

All positions in our office require interaction with people and technology while either standing or sitting. To best service our customers, internal and external, all associates must be able to communicate face-to-face and on the phone with or without reasonable accommodation. First Solar is committed to compliance with its obligations under all applicable state and federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. In keeping with this commitment, it attempts to reasonably accommodate applicants and employees in accordance with the requirements of the disability discrimination laws. It also invites. 

individuals with disabilities to participate in a good faith, interactive process to identify reasonable accommodations that can be made without imposing an undue hardship.

Potential candidates will meet the education and experience requirements provided on the above job description and excel in completing the listed responsibilities for this role. All candidates receiving an offer of employment must successfully complete a background check and any other tests that may be required.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: First Solar is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a driving force in the success of our company.