The posting
Job Description
First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.
Basic Job Functions:
High level corporate controls. Requires taking a lead and mentoring role in the global implementation and development of electrical controls systems/designs, PLC/HMI programing, perform vendor equipment check-out, equipment/system start-ups, data collection and optimization of control systems.
Education/Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field; or equivalent years of work experience.
- Minimum 10 years of manufacturing equipment controls engineering experience.
Required Skills/Competencies:
- Excellent understanding/knowledge and experience in controls engineering techniques and practices which would be required for global facilities including North America, Asian, and European countries.
- Excellent understanding/knowledge and ability to trouble-shoot electrical/electronic control systems.
- Excellent understanding/knowledge of global manufacturing processes and safety requirements.
- Proven experience using Auto Desk AutoCad drafting software to create electrical schematic and panel layouts.
- Excellent understanding/knowledge programming of Rockwell Automation Logix platform PLC’s, including ladder and function block diagram.
- Excellent understanding/knowledge programming Rockwell Automation Human Machine Interfaces (HMI) including PanelView Plus, PanelView Plus CE, and Reviews SE.
- Excellent understanding/knowledge designing, programming, and commissioning at least two control network including ControlNet, DeviceNet, Profibus and/or Ethernet.
- Excellent understanding/knowledge of robotic systems including programming, safety requirements, and design/implementation practices.
- Excellent understanding/knowledge of motion controls including stepper motors, servo motors, and AC/DC Drives.
- Excellent understanding/knowledge of Cognex vision camera configuration and programming experience.
- Excellent understanding of computer hardware/applications and the Microsoft Office family.
- Experience and knowledge of working in server environment.
- Proven Microsoft SQL Server Database configuration experience.
- Experience in at least one multi-tiered architecture using C#, VB.NET, HTML, XML and SQL.
- Understanding/knowledge of Corporate Ethernet architectures and systems.
- Excellent communications skills both oral and written.
- Excellent problem solving skills.
- Strong understanding/knowledge of writing project specifications and working with vendors.
- Demonstrated expertise and soft-skills at providing coaching and mentoring to develop and grow a team of junior controls engineers.
- Project management expertise demonstrated by successful track record managing multiple simultaneous projects involving 3-9+ person cross-functional teams to deliver technically complex solutions.
Essential Responsibilities:
Primary Responsibilities
- Provide global support for manufacturing facilities and coordinate new equipment installation and implementation.
- Responsible for writing and maintaining programs that use the plant equipment data within the SQL database
- Responsible for maintaining and updating of manufacturing process tool electrical drawings globally, ensuring the tracking of equipment changes is documented and drawings are kept current.
- Responsible for the successful design and theory behind all manufacturing control systems, ensuring new process tools adhere to corporate controls standards and best practices.
- Responsible for globally troubleshooting and problem-solving equipment controls related issues and recommending controls policy/standard changes, if possible, to prevent future issues with new manufacturing process tools.
- Responsible for assisting, supporting, and mentoring Controls Engineers globally. Maintaining effective global communications levels which fosters knowledge transfer and team building.
- Responsible to interface with multiple departments within the organization and external suppliers to ensure corporate controls policies/standards are understood and being adhered to.
- Responsible to assist with FMCS electrical designs and main building power feed designs for new facilities globally.
- Maintain effective global communications levels and fosters team building.
- Ensures adherence to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards.
- Responsible for designing, programming, and coordination of all control systems and projects, independent of size.
- Provide expert consultancy and manage client relationships, contracts, and project delivery.
- Maintain deep technical expertise in specialized IT areas; advise and guide on application and best practices.
- Lead research initiatives, develop innovative solutions, and present findings through reports and conferences.
- Monitor emerging technologies, assess relevance, and recommend adoption to advance organizational capabilities.
- Specify, design, and review complex systems ensuring compliance with architecture standards, safety, and sustainability.
- Design, code, test, and document large-scale programs; lead peer reviews and ensure quality standards.
- Develop safety assurance plans, conduct hazard analyses (HAZOPS, FMEA), and ensure compliance with IEC 61508 or equivalent.
- Plan and manage system and acceptance testing; define strategies, oversee execution, and ensure integrity.
- Design and build integration components; configure and test hardware/software platforms.
- Oversee installation, maintenance, and configuration of systems, networks, and applications; ensure documentation and compliance.
- Monitor system performance, capacity, and availability; implement disaster recovery and maintain service continuity.
- Troubleshoot and resolve complex system issues; analyze trends and implement preventative measures.
- Maintain support processes, create documentation, and ensure usability, accessibility, and safety standards.
Core Competencies:
- Advanced system architecture and integration design.
- Expertise in emerging technologies and market trends.
- Strong programming, testing, and quality assurance skills.
- Risk management and safety compliance leadership.
- Operational excellence in installation, configuration, and maintenance.
- Effective problem-solving, documentation, and process improvement.
- Ability to mentor, lead teams, and foster knowledge sharing.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Job description subject to change at any time.
Reporting Relationships:
- This position will not have direct reports.
Travel:
- 0% - 5% (On occasion/as needed for training, etc.)
- If hired during plant start up, you will be expected to travel to other First Solar locations for training.
Estimated Salary Range:
- $99,600 - $142,000, Annually
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 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.
