Device Research Manager

First Solar
United States
Workplace: OnsiteFull timeUSD 131,200 - 187,000Function: Research & Scientific (R&D)Experience: 5+ yearsEducation: bachelorsSkills: ["Innovation","Technical risk assessment","Data communication","People management","Cross-functional communication"]

Lead CdTe photovoltaic absorber research and drive new manufacturable technologies and processes to improve solar cell performance and reliability. Manage and coordinate cross-functional engineers and technicians through feasibility, process development, implementation, and experiment prioritization. Conduct device integration, characterization, metrology development, and failure analysis to determine mechanisms and root causes, while ensuring safety, program goals, and technology IP documentation.

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First Solar
First Solar
2 months ago

Device Research Manager

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Job Summary

Lead CdTe photovoltaic absorber research and drive new manufacturable technologies and processes to improve solar cell performance and reliability. Manage and coordinate cross-functional engineers and technicians through feasibility, process development, implementation, and experiment prioritization. Conduct device integration, characterization, metrology development, and failure analysis to determine mechanisms and root causes, while ensuring safety, program goals, and technology IP documentation.
Location: United States
Workplace: Onsite
Employment Type: Full time
Job Function: Research & Scientific (R&D)
Seniority: Manager level

Key Responsibilities

  • •Lead CdTe photovoltaic absorber research and development, including development and deployment of new manufacturable technologies and processes.
  • •Direct or matrix-manage a cross-functional team; define quantifiable objectives and coordinate activities across engineering and operations groups.
  • •Develop and apply thin film metrology; prioritize experiments; integrate material/device characteristics and process data to identify mechanisms and root causes of failures.
  • •Assess technological risk, scopes, and timelines; ensure adherence to program goals and schedules.
  • •Ensure safety and housekeeping standards and support development of the First Solar IP portfolio by documenting inventions and supporting patent-related activities.
Travel: Low travel

Pay and Benefits

Salary: USD 131,200 - 187,000

Key Requirements

  • •Bachelors in material science, physics, or a similar technical discipline.
  • •Minimum 5 years’ experience in device development, process integration, or process development (3 years with a Master’s or 2 years with a Ph.D.).
  • •Experience in semiconductor/thin film/electronics related industries, with thin film photovoltaics experience strongly preferred.
  • •Experience developing thin film metrology, device characterization, and test equipment with understanding of optical, electrical, and opto-electronic properties.
  • •People and project management experience with statistical process optimization (DOE, Analysis of Variance, process control) and JMP experience preferred.
Experience:5+ yearsThin film photovoltaicsSemiconductorPV technology
Education:Bachelor's
Skills:InnovationTechnical risk assessmentData communicationPeople managementCross-functional communication
Tech Stack:CdTePhotovoltaic absorbersSolar cell performanceManufacturable technologiesProcess developmentProcess controlThin film depositionVacuum depositionThermal processesThin film metrologyDevice integrationDevice characterizationFailure analysisRoot cause analysisMaterial characterizationDesign of Experiments (DOE)Analysis of VarianceStatistical process optimizationJMPIntellectual property (IP)

Company Brief

First Solar
Manufactures and sells solar modules and provides utility-scale photovoltaic power plant solutions. It is one of the world’s largest solar technology companies, focused on thin-film solar panel production and large-scale renewable energy deployment.
Industry: Solar Energy
Company Size: Enterprise (1,001+ employees)
Revenue: USD 1B+
Growth: Public Company
Valuation: Public Company (Market Cap in USD)
Funding: IPO / Publicly Listed
Headquarters: Tempe, United States
Founded: 1999
WebsiteLinkedIn