Development Engineer II

*First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.* Basic Job Functions: - Lead design, implementation, and validation of electrical control systems and PLC/HMI programming - Support end-to-end equipment commissioning, vendor checkout, and system startup - Drive data collection, optimization, and visualization for control systems - Develop software tools to improve workflows and enable AI/ML adoption - Integrate equipment with MES, SQL databases, and enterprise systems - Troubleshoot and resolve control system and equipment issues Education/Experience: - Associate’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 15 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer I at First Solar. - Bachelor’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 5 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer I at First Solar. - Master’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 3 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer I at First Solar. - Ph.D. in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline. - Minimum 2 years of industrial work experiences in one or more of the following categories: equipment project engineering, equipment engineering, software engineering, control engineering, Automation engineering, AI/ML driven functional material development Required Skills/Competencies: - Strong programming skills in Python, with experience using libraries such as NumPy, pandas, scikit-learn, TensorFlow, or PyTorch - Experience with controls engineering and industrial automation systems, including PLC/HMI programming and electrical/control system troubleshooting - Proficiency in AutoCAD, with the ability to interpret and develop electrical schematics and panel layouts - Solid understanding of electrical and electronic control systems, with hands-on troubleshooting experience - Familiarity with robotics systems, motion control (servo motors, stepper motors, AC/DC drives), and vision systems (e.g., Cognex configuration and programming) - Experience coordinating with international vendors, including equipment integration and technical communication - Working knowledge of machine learning concepts and data preprocessing techniques for industrial applications - Familiarity with MSSQL/SSMS and data visualization tools for data analysis and reporting - High proficiency with Microsoft Office tools - Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and attention to detail Essential Responsibilities: - Design and enhance control software for process, metrology, and analytical equipment, enabling more efficiency research workflows and future machine learning and AI adoptions. - Streamline database systems through administration, automation, and performance tuning to ensure reliable and efficient data operations. - Develop tailored software tools and applications to address evolving site-specific challenges and improve overall productivity. - Responsible for designing, programming, and coordination of small to mid-scale control systems and projects, enabling remote control where desired; responsible to assist with coordination of new equipment installation and implementation; responsible for maintaining and updating of process tool electrical drawings, ensuring the tracking of equipment changes is documented and drawings are kept current; responsible for troubleshooting and problem-solving equipment issues, especially control related; responsible to support cross functional teams on large projects including hardware bring-up/troubleshoot, software develop/CIP/debug, drive vendor communication; responsible to bridge gap of existing and new equipment in databasing to handshake with corporate server and be able to interface data transaction - Maintain effective communications levels and fosters te…