First Solar is a leader in the development and manufacturing of thin film solar modules used in grid-connected solar power plants. Our high growth and position in the renewable energy industry offers outstanding opportunities to individuals seeking an exciting work environment in one of the most important industries for the 21st century. Our culture is one where teamwork, continuous improvement, achievement of results, and environmental responsibility are core values. We are seeking new associates that are motivated to contribute their talents to making cost effective solar energy an important part of the world’s energy mix.
Basic Job Functions:
The reliability engineer is responsible for ensuring that the product of record continuously meets or exceeds First Solar, customer, certification and regulatory body expectations. Responsible to ensure that new process, suppliers and designs complete the required First Solar qualification plan with acceptable results prior to release to customer production shipments, through a regimented approach of documentation, analysis and clear conclusions/recommendations related to the performance of the change. Responsible for assisting in the documentation and development of specific qualifications programs.
Required:
· 5-10 years experience as a lead reliability engineer role is required.
o Product reliability testing and modeling
o Design of reliability demonstration and modeling tests and automation systems for data logging, analysis and reporting.
· Experience in a photovoltaic /semiconductor industry is preferred.
Education:
· BS in engineer or physics (EE, Chem E, Alternative Energy (PV) is preferred)
· Masters degree in one of the above disciplines is preferred
Required Skills:
· Proven communication and documentation skills
· Proven skills in using reliability analysis methods.
· Proven skills in problem solving and root cause analysis.
· Advanced skills and experience with Microsoft Office tools, Databases, Data Mining, Reliability (Weibul++, ALTA) & Statistical software (Jmp, Minitab) experience required.
· Proven understanding of Continuous Improvement/Quality tools, Robust Engineering, Design of experiments, SPC, 6 Sigma, and FMEA.
· Project management experience in handling high impact/large scale projects and/or new product/process launches.
· Experience in establishing procedures for failures, processing, root cause analysis and risk mitigation of quality issues as related to potential field issues.
· Excellent interpersonal communication, negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
· Strong written and verbal communication skills required.
· Adheres to safety requirements and good housekeeping procedures.
· 30% travel required for both local and international destinations.
Preferred skills:
· Experience in PV industry in Reliability/Product management/ Development groups.
· Experience in Root Cause Analysis and 8D processes.
· Experience with Product design/validation/launches is a plus.
· Experience with JMP is a plus.
· A healthy balance of Electrical and Mechanical knowledge.
· Experience using basic electrical/mechanical measuring equipment desired.
· Knowledge of Semiconductors, Device Physics and Thin Film Technology is a plus.
Essential Functions & Responsibilities
· Responsible for conducting reliability testing, design validation/verification & life testing of new product designs
· Reliability technical lead for new product/process/component development, process and technology optimization.
· Responsible for collaborating with supplier quality and development groups to ensure that supplier quality issues do not negatively impact the long term reliability of the product.
· Technical resource to design reliability test plans to qualify new product and processes, evaluate testing failures and ensure consistent adherence to high quality standards by application of reliability techniques.
· Standardize statistical data analysis, summary reports and feedback procedures.
· Responsible for specifying and helping build reliability capabilities (tests, procedures and infrastructure), training, knowledge sharing, establishing metrics best practices and across global organization.
· Responsible for implementing the reliability database or knowledge management system to manage all reliability testing, track reliability test data and simplify querying test data output for analysis/reporting. Responsible for establishing standard metrics and automate generation of outputs/reports.
· Responsible for determining, planning and ensuring product compliance to required internal and external (National & International) standards and codes.
· Manage in-house and external testing to obtain compliance for existing and new product lines to IEC/UL or other relevant standards. Responsible for maintaining good working relationships with accreditation agencies (VDE, CSA), calibration labs (NREL, ISE, etc), certifying bodies (IEC/UL/VDE/TUV) and other relevant standards organizations.
Physical Requirements:
· Sit and stand periodically during the day.
· Will walk and climb stairs.
· May lift up to 50 lbs.
· Required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects.
· May stoop, crouch, talk and hear.
· Specific vision abilities are required.
· 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).
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