Test Technician I

About the Role

First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset. This role involves day-to-day reliability operations and testing in a Reliability Lab to ensure product meets performance and warranty commitments under extreme ambient outdoor exposure conditions.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform baseline and post-test measurements for all standard Reliability tests.
• Safely load and operate all standard Reliability Stress Test equipment.
• Process warranty returns.
• Perform data entry for Reliability testing.
• Ensure all tests and measurements are completed by the schedule.
• Immediately communicate any abnormal findings on the product or testing equipment.
• Willing to work long hours and weekends to support any testing or measurement needs.
• Adhere to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards.
• Assist in any other task or job assigned by supervisor.
• Train new technicians in module testing and measurements, handling, loading, and unloading from test equipment.
• Consistently demonstrate efficient and effective methods to deliver quality test results.
• Identify durability/stability defects and issues and communicate to appropriate personnel (Level 1 failure analysis and troubleshooting).
• Identify when a test ran incorrectly and suggest a root cause or an action plan.
• Other duties as assigned.

Support Responsibilities

• Support Reliability Engineers with multi-task assignments related to second source supplier qualifications, product reliability monitoring, product/process qualification programs, and test/equipment development.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Basic ability using tools and operating equipment.
• Ability to learn the basic operation of simulators.
• Ability to operate a forklift.
• Good glass handling skills.
• Good communication skills.
• Ability to follow directions and use work instructions.
• Ability to work independently.
• Demonstrate problem-solving abilities when a test or equipment faults.
• Ability to analyze data to determine if testing was run properly.
• Ability to analyze data to determine if results fit inside a control plan.
• Ability to follow control plan OCAP steps if a module seems to be out of spec.
• Ability to select and run the correct recipes for testing across multiple tools.
• Ability to locate a module in a test plan and determine measurement needs and next test.
• Maintain an organized and clean work area.
• Intermediate computer skills (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Good team player.
• Ensure waste materials are discarded in their designated containers.
• Ensure hazardous waste containers stay closed except when adding or removing waste.
• Ensure satellite accumulation containers stay in their designated locations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline (Electrical preferred)

OR

• Associate’s Degree or equivalent in a technical discipline (Electrical preferred)

OR

• High School Diploma with a minimum of 3 years working experience in a manufacturing or lab environment.

OR

• High School Diploma with a minimum of 1 year of experience working in a First Solar lab environment as a contractor.

Desired Skills & Experience

• Calibration/testing/measurement experience is an added advantage.
• Basic experience using electrical test and measurement equipment is desired.
• Proven communications skills and attention to detail.
• SQL is a plus.
• Experience in using tools and operating equipment is an added advantage (micrometers, multimeters, power supplies, data loggers).

Reporting Relationships

• Reports to the Supervisor, Lab Operations.

Travel

• 0-5% travel required.

Physical Requirements

• Will sit, stand, or walk short distances for up to 12 hours per day.
• Will climb stairs or steps on a frequent basis.
• Will lift up to 58 pounds on an occasional basis.
• Will lift up to 37 pounds on a frequent basis.
• Will push or pull up to 50 pounds of force on an occasional basis.
• Will push or pull up to 37 pounds of force on a frequent basis.
• Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects on a frequent basis.
• 20/40 vision in both eyes (with or without correction) and the ability to distinguish between red, yellow, and green is required.
• May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis.
• May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis.
• Must comply with all safety standards and procedures.
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment is required (including, but not limited to: steel-toed shoes, cut-resistant gloves, jackets, aprons &/or arm guards, safety glasses or goggles, hearing protection & respirators) and a condition of employment and continued employment (may require little or no facial hair).