{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"e20a5aa4755d4abb8fa32ef5","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/e20a5aa4755d4abb8fa32ef5","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/e20a5aa4755d4abb8fa32ef5","title":"Development Engineer III - Material Analysis","description":"First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.\n\nBasic Job Functions:\n\nServe as the materials analysis and metrology subject‑matter expert supporting R&D and process\n\nTranslate project requirements into actionable materials characterization strategy\n\nPerform deep dives into materials science and failure mechanisms to identify root causes, and improvement opportunities\n\nPartner cross‑functionally within R&D teams to accelerate and disseminate learnings\n\nSustain laboratory operations by maintaining equipment, prioritizing request queues, and ensuring data quality and turnaround\n\nExpand lab capabilities through procurement, method development, and adoption of new analytical techniques\n\nEducation/Experience:\n\nAssociate’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 II at First Solar.\n\nBachelor’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 10 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer II at First Solar.\n\nMaster’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 8 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer II at First Solar.\n\nPh.D. in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 5 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer II at First Solar.\n\nRequired Skills/Competencies:\n\nExpertise in analysis of semiconductor materials and interfaces. Experience with perovskite materials is a plus.\nStrong command of advanced materials characterization techniques (e.g., XRD/GIWAXS, SEM/TEM, XPS/UPS, PL/TRPL, AFM, TOF‑SIMS) and their application to device stacks\nProven ability to translate analytical results into actionable guidance for process and device improvement\nExperience in data analysis with Python or JMP. Scripting for data automation is a plus.\nAbility to work independently with no supervision, follow Safe Work Practices and communicate on a regular basis with all levels of associates.\nExcellent written, oral, computer and presentation skills\nDemonstrated strength in critical thinking and attention to details\n\nStrong sense of project ownership with hands-on and can-do attitude.\n\nStrong communication skills across organizations.\n\nEssential Responsibilities:\n\nApply advanced analytical techniques to assess composition, structure, defects, and degradation behavior\nInvestigate failure mechanisms, provide root‑cause analysis and mitigation strategies\nTranslate characterization data into recommendations for device design, materials selection, and process optimization in collaboration with R&D and process teams\nDevelop, validate, and continuously improve analytical methods and workflows to support fast, reliable decision‑making\nPartner cross‑functionally and communicate complex materials insights clearly to relevant stakeholders May train, mentor and manage junior and peers on specific subject matters.\nComply with Company's Environmental, Quality, Safety or any other policies that have been enforced. Contributes to continuous improvement of said policies.\nOther duties as assigned.\nJob description subject to change at any time.\n\nReporting Relationships:\n\nReports to Development Manager.\n\nMay have direct reports.\nUp to 10% domestic or international.\n\nTravel:\n\nEstimated Salary Range:\n\n109,460 USD per year- 163,950 USD per year\n\nUS Physical Requirements:\n\nHybrid Physical Requirements:\n\nWill sit, stand, or walk short distances for up to the entire duration of a shift.\nWill climb stairs on an occasional basis.\nWill lift, push, or pull up to 27 pounds on an occasional basis.\nRequired to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects on a frequent basis.\n20/40 vision in each eye, with or without correction, is required.\nMust be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures.\nMay reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis.\nMay stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis.\nAbility 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).\nAll 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).\n\nPotential 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.\n\nEqual 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.\nJob Identification\n1025356\nJob Category\nAdvanced Research\nPosting Date\n07/29/2026, 01:02 PM\nLocations\n 1035 Walsh Ave, Santa Clara, CA, 95050, US\nJob Schedule\nFull time\nWork Schedule\n1 (United States of America)","company":"First Solar","rawCompany":"first solar","city":"Santa Clara","state":"CA","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-08-19T15:26:32.503Z","occupations":[{"code":"17-2131.00","title":"Materials Engineers","slug":"materials-engineers"},{"code":"19-2032.00","title":"Materials Scientists","slug":"materials-scientists"},{"code":"17-2199.11","title":"Solar Energy Systems Engineers","slug":"solar-energy-systems-engineers"}],"industries":[{"code":"541715","title":"Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)","slug":"research-and-development-in-the-physical-engineering-and-life-sciences-except-nanotechnology-and-biotechnology"},{"code":"334413","title":"Semiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing","slug":"semiconductor-and-related-device-manufacturing"},{"code":"541713","title":"Research and Development in Nanotechnology","slug":"research-and-development-in-nanotechnology"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Development Engineer III - Material Analysis","description":"First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.\n\nBasic Job Functions:\n\nServe as the materials analysis and metrology subject‑matter expert supporting R&D and process\n\nTranslate project requirements into actionable materials characterization strategy\n\nPerform deep dives into materials science and failure mechanisms to identify root causes, and improvement opportunities\n\nPartner cross‑functionally within R&D teams to accelerate and disseminate learnings\n\nSustain laboratory operations by maintaining equipment, prioritizing request queues, and ensuring data quality and turnaround\n\nExpand lab capabilities through procurement, method development, and adoption of new analytical techniques\n\nEducation/Experience:\n\nAssociate’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 II at First Solar.\n\nBachelor’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 10 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer II at First Solar.\n\nMaster’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 8 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer II at First Solar.\n\nPh.D. in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 5 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer II at First Solar.\n\nRequired Skills/Competencies:\n\nExpertise in analysis of semiconductor materials and interfaces. Experience with perovskite materials is a plus.\nStrong command of advanced materials characterization techniques (e.g., XRD/GIWAXS, SEM/TEM, XPS/UPS, PL/TRPL, AFM, TOF‑SIMS) and their application to device stacks\nProven ability to translate analytical results into actionable guidance for process and device improvement\nExperience in data analysis with Python or JMP. Scripting for data automation is a plus.\nAbility to work independently with no supervision, follow Safe Work Practices and communicate on a regular basis with all levels of associates.\nExcellent written, oral, computer and presentation skills\nDemonstrated strength in critical thinking and attention to details\n\nStrong sense of project ownership with hands-on and can-do attitude.\n\nStrong communication skills across organizations.\n\nEssential Responsibilities:\n\nApply advanced analytical techniques to assess composition, structure, defects, and degradation behavior\nInvestigate failure mechanisms, provide root‑cause analysis and mitigation strategies\nTranslate characterization data into recommendations for device design, materials selection, and process optimization in collaboration with R&D and process teams\nDevelop, validate, and continuously improve analytical methods and workflows to support fast, reliable decision‑making\nPartner cross‑functionally and communicate complex materials insights clearly to relevant stakeholders May train, mentor and manage junior and peers on specific subject matters.\nComply with Company's Environmental, Quality, Safety or any other policies that have been enforced. Contributes to continuous improvement of said policies.\nOther duties as assigned.\nJob description subject to change at any time.\n\nReporting Relationships:\n\nReports to Development Manager.\n\nMay have direct reports.\nUp to 10% domestic or international.\n\nTravel:\n\nEstimated Salary Range:\n\n109,460 USD per year- 163,950 USD per year\n\nUS Physical Requirements:\n\nHybrid Physical Requirements:\n\nWill sit, stand, or walk short distances for up to the entire duration of a shift.\nWill climb stairs on an occasional basis.\nWill lift, push, or pull up to 27 pounds on an occasional basis.\nRequired to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects on a frequent basis.\n20/40 vision in each eye, with or without correction, is required.\nMust be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures.\nMay reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis.\nMay stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis.\nAbility 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).\nAll 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).\n\nPotential 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.\n\nEqual 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.\nJob Identification\n1025356\nJob Category\nAdvanced Research\nPosting Date\n07/29/2026, 01:02 PM\nLocations\n 1035 Walsh Ave, Santa Clara, CA, 95050, US\nJob Schedule\nFull time\nWork Schedule\n1 (United States of America)","datePosted":"2026-08-19T15:26:32.503Z","dateModified":"2026-08-19T15:26:32.503Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"First Solar","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Santa Clara","addressRegion":"CA","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"e20a5aa4755d4abb8fa32ef5"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/e20a5aa4755d4abb8fa32ef5"}}