Engineer III - Packaging Development at First Solar Inc in Perrysburg, Ohio

Job Description:

Our high growth and leadership position in the renewable energy business offers outstanding opportunities to individuals seeking an exciting work environment in one of the most important industries for the 21st century. First Solar is a leader in the development and manufacturing of thin film solar modules used in grid-connected solar power plants, as well as a provider of complete solar generation solutions for U.S. utilities. Our culture is one where teamwork, continuous improvement, achievement of results, and environmental responsibility are core values. We are seeking new associates who are motivated to contribute their talents to making cost-effective solar energy an important part of the world’s energy mix.

Primary Job Functions:

Summary of Job Function: 

Develops models, evaluates design criteria, and establishes characterization methods and resulting metrics in support of performance improvement development programs.

Experience and Education: 

• Bachelor Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline, with 8 years of technical work experience as an Engineer or 2 years as a Development Engineer II with First Solar.


• Master Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline, with 6 years of technical work experience as an Engineer or 2 years as a Development Engineer II with First Solar.


• PhD in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline, with 3 years of technical work experience as an Engineer or 2 years as a Development Engineer II with First Solar.


• Demonstrated success in a new product development for high-volume manufacturing.


• Preferred experience in design for assembly within a high-volume manufacturing environment.


• Preferred design experience with a variety of metal forming processes, such as aluminum extrusion, metal stamping, and roll-forming.


• Preferred experience with handling and packaging of flat or bent glass products, especially single-use packaging materials.

Required Skills:

• Strong communication skills across organizations.


• Clear sense of project ownership with hands-on and can-do attitude.


• Solid modeling and drafting. Autodesk Inventor preferred.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Develop performance requirements for solar module and solar module packaging components.


• Design, develop, fabricate and assemble parts and assemblies of solar panels and solar panel packaging.


• Design, execute, and analyze engineering tests and solutions to evaluate non-standard problems.


• Participate in the development and integration efforts to transfer new designs to high volume manufacturing.


• Other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements:

• Will sit, stand or walk short distances for  up to 12 hours per day

• Will climb stairs on an occasional basis

• Will exert up to 50 pounds of force to lift, push or pull on a seldom basis

• Will lift, push or pull up to 27 pounds on a frequent basis

• Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects repetitively 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)