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 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. Success requires iterative planning and de-risking over long periods.Applies statistical and engineering methods to optimize organizational effectiveness. Core leader within the group in one or more areas.Education and Experience:Bachelor's Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 20 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer III at First Solar.Master'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 III at First Solar.Ph.D. in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 10 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer III at First Solar.Required Skills/Competencies:Technical expert and innovator in one area of photovoltaic processes and/or equipment development.Deep understanding of process/equipment interactions with the ability to develop new solutions.In-depth knowledge in several fields from the list of photovoltaic device theory, materials science, process engineering, characterization techniques, and other fields relevant to First Solar's technology.Strong sense of project ownership with hands-on and can-do attitude.Strong communication skills across organizations with demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams.Essential ResponsibilitiesIdentify opportunities for improvement in solar cell efficiency, material selection, and process/equipment design through engineering, scientific or empirical methods.Improve state-of-the-art techniques for material analysis, statistical analysis of data, or execution planning of experiments. Develop a work plan that have unclear solution paths.May be responsible to determine and evaluate material specification for improved performance. May be responsible to determine and evaluate tool/equipment specifications.Effective communicator with internal and external partners and customers. Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional efforts as needed.May train, mentor, and manage junior and peers on specific subject matters. Specialist within the group.Complies with Company's Environmental, Quality, Safety, or any other policies that have been enforced. Contributes to continuous improvement of said policies.Other duties as assigned.Job description subject to change at any time.Reporting Relationships:Reports to Development ManagerMay have direct reportsEstimated Salary Range:$94,700 - $145,000/annuallyUS Physical Requirements:Will sit, stand, or walk short distances for up to the entire duration of a shiftWill climb stairs on an occasional basisWill lift, push, or pull up to 27 pounds on an occasional basisRequired to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects on a frequent basis20/40 vision in each eye, with or without correction is requiredMust be able to comply with all safety standards and proceduresMay reach above shoulder height and below the waist on a frequent basisMay stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basisAbility to wear personal protective equipment is required (including but not limited to; steel toed shoes, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection,