Head- Technology Scaling USA

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

Basic Job Functions:

• Leads strategy, planning and execution of technology transfer and scaling equipment and process technologies from R&D to Pilot Manufacturing and High-Volume Replication.
• Develop and grow the process and manufacturing integration functions in Pilot Manufacturing
• Develop strategy for process improvements in Pilot Manufacturing, and subsequently HVM, collaborating with other technical teams.
• Work cross-functionally with Development Engineering, Integrated Supply-Chain, Environmental-Health-Safety, Quality & Reliability to influence and execute on technology roadmap.
• Provides leadership to a team comprising Engineering and Operations Managers, Engineers and Technicians to achieve technology and operational milestones in a timely manner.
• Responsible for matching and sustaining baseline performance in Pilot Manufacturing and in HVM recipient lines during technology transfer.
• Defines systems for Pilot Mfg. to be swing between Engineering Tests and Production in an efficient error-free manner and to monitor baseline performance in production mode.
• Working with process development and tool replication SMEs, derisk next generation technologies, hardware, materials, and other process improvements.
• Responsible for the rollout of First Solar's Throughput, Yield roadmap (performance goals and schedule) working with other Manufacturing Engineering leaders and Bin wattage/module roadmap for satellite factories.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in electrical/Electronic, Mechanical, Chemical, Physics, Material Engineering or technical degree in a related engineering field required.
• Master's degree in engineering specialty area, PhD desired.
• 10 or more years' experience in engineering discipline including high volume manufacturing and process improvement.
• Equipment/process knowledge and experience in fabrication of semiconductor or photovoltaic related devices is required.
• At least 7 years of Experience in leading and managing large diverse teams. Experience leading global teams a plus.
• Experience in new technology transfer, especially in thin-film device or PV technologies is required.
• Experience in navigating change management systems, chairing phase-gate reviews and leading technologies from TRL 3-4 through to TRL 7-8.

Required Skills/Competencies:

Behavioral

• Ability to be exceptionally agile and pivot direction with little notice.

• Exhibit reality-based leadership.

• Ability to mentor and grow other engineering professionals or engineering managers.

• Proven knowledge of solar and glass manufacturing.
• Proven organizational and supervisory skills.
• Six Sigma background.
• Statistical background with strong knowledge of SPC.
• Knowledge of Theory of Constraints.
• Strong background in Robust Engineering and Continuous Improvement.
• Proven knowledge of manufacturing processes and equipment.
• Excellent communications and problem-solving skills.
• Good project management skills.

Technical

Essential Responsibilities:

• Responsible for creating strategy and planning for taking new technologies from development to high volume manufacturing.
• Guide teams in setting appropriate priorities for Engineering Tests, Module Builds, and define systems tracking progress including oversight of OpEx.
• Analyze and review complex large data sets from process, equipment, and device summarize and communicate in a succinct and clear manner to executive leadership including next plan of action.
• Execute to company's AI roadmap - oversight of relevant AI-ML solutions to generate relevant actionable insights and automate decision making.
• Provide regular project and program progress reports to leadership and stakeholders.
• Publish all required documentation (process book, work instructions, operations systems etc) to enable transition from R&D line to Pilot Manufacturing and later to High Volume Manufacturing.
• Interface with team members and stakeholders from R&D, Manufacturing, Q&R and product groups.
• Co-own equipment and process development roadmap to support future technology revision into manufacturing.
• Develop models for the impact of HVM technology upgrades and other continuous programs on P90 goals, develop plans to mitigate the impact and ensure adherence to agreed criteria.
• Lead teams to troubleshoot and problem solving for issues related to planning and technology transfer.
• Presents project and program status reports.
• Develops project budgets (including Op-ex and Capex) and maintains systems to ensure adherence to the plan.
• Responsible for system downtime tracking and prevention to enable P90 goals to be achieved.
• Adhere to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards.
• Ensure compliance with Quality, Environment, Health and Safety and Responsible Business Alliance policies and procedures that is enforced within the organization.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Job description subject to change at any time.

Reporting Relationships:

• This position will not have direct reports.

Travel:

• 10% - 20%

Estimated Salary Range:

• $216,600- $314,000 Annually.

US Physical Requirements:

• Will sit, stand, or walk short distances for up to 12 hours per day.
• Will climb stairs or steps on a frequent basis.
• Will lift up to 58 pounds on an occasional basis, according to work instruction.
• Will lift up to 37 pounds on a frequent basis.
• Will push or pull up to 50 pounds of force on an occasional basis.
• Will push or pull up to 37 pounds of force on a frequent basis.
• Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects on a frequent basis.
• 20/40 vision in both eyes (with or without correction) and the ability to distinguish between red, yellow, and green is required.
• May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis.
• May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis.
• Must comply with all safety standards and procedures.
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment is required (including, but not limited to: steel-toed shoes, cut-resistant gloves, jackets, aprons &/or arm guards, safety glasses or goggles, hearing protection & respirators) and a condition of employment and continued employment (may require little or no facial hair).

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.