Development Engineer III - Perovskite Development

Job Description

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

Basic Job Functions:

• Perform material and device research to enhance Perovskite thin film solar cell performance and stability and to reduce manufacturing cost.
• Responsible for projects or functions that are highly complex, require significant innovation and critical to department objectives.
• Plan, execute and characterize development engineering experiments in the laboratory and manufacturing environment with strategic foresight. Drives actions with strategic foresight.
• Applies statistical and engineering methods to optimize organizational effectiveness. Improves methods for use by others.
• Mentor/manage junior technicians or engineers as needed.

Education:

• Ph.D. in a science or engineering discipline and 5 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer II at First Solar
• Combined experience at graduate and above levels focusing on perovskite device optimization for stabilized efficiency with demonstrated success

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Can quickly adapt to industrial mindset geared towards a worthy product meeting stringent quality standards
• Motivation to work independently and commitment to meeting goals on time while stay focused, organized, and motivated through challenging time.
• Can build hypothesis matrix to guide meaningful design of experiments, drive to understand failure mechanisms & performance gaps.
• Well versed in troubleshooting, practice of common sense as well as critical thinking.
• Ability to lead projects involving multiple internal and external parties.
• Be data driven.
• Safety-conscious.
• Routinely hands-on executed full integration of perovskite devices at every step from substrate preparation to final device testing and key material characterization (such as XRD)
• In-depth knowledge on main factors driving perovskite device improvement which must include but not limited to absorber composition/additives/impurities/processing, stack optimization/material failure mechanisms
• In-depth knowledge in perovskite absorber and charge transport layer deposition techniques, working knowledge in other integration steps.
• Working knowledge in general thin film techniques such as sputtering, CVD, ALD, evaporation, laser scribe
• Working knowledge of semiconductor absorber and interfaces.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills to ensure effective participation with interdepartmental teams.
• Extensive knowledge with thin film characterization techniques and device tests.
• Abilities in problem solving, critical thinking, troubleshooting.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Optimize coating quality and device properties to drive improvements, with a focus on perovskite absorber
• Provide data/analysis and recommendation to engineers & management.
• Coordinate work with external vendors/specialists to advance understanding of equipment/process/material design.
• Provide technical expertise to cross-functional teams.
• Interface with collaborators (internal and external).
• Ensures adherence to all safety and environmental procedures and housekeeping standards.

Reporting Relationships:

• This position will directly report to Head, Disruptive Technologies.

Estimated Salary Range:

• $100,000-$161,000 per year

Travel:

• Up to 20% travel (domestic and international)

US Physical Requirements:

Hybrid 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 27 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 each eye, 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)
• All associates working on the production floor may be required to wear a respirator at any given time and thus, the ability to wear a respirator is a condition of employment and continued employment (requires little or no facial hair)

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 band 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.