First Solar · 21 hours ago
Development Engineer IV - Perovskite Physics USA
28101 Cedar Park Blvd, Perrysburg, OH, 43551, US
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$100K/yr - $142K/yr
10+ years expFirst Solar is a leader in solar technology, and they are seeking a Development Engineer IV to contribute to their Perovskite Physics group. This role involves supporting the development and scale-up of next-generation perovskite technology, focusing on understanding physics-based mechanisms and advanced metrology.
Clean EnergyManufacturingSolar
Responsibilities
Serve as a senior technical contributor within First Solar’s Perovskite Physics group
Support development and scale‑up of First Solar’s next‑generation perovskite technology through physics‑based mechanism understanding, advanced metrology development, and root‑cause analysis
Operate at the intersection of materials science, device physics, and pilot manufacturing engineering, acting as a technical leader in defining measurement strategies, correlating metrology data to performance and reliability, and resolving complex process‑structure‑property relationships
Responsible for developing and deploying manufacturing‑relevant characterization and diagnostics for perovskite pilot line, enabling improved process control, faster learning cycles, and robust yield and performance outcomes
The position requires strong independent problem‑solving capability, deep technical expertise, and close collaboration with cross‑functional process, equipment, and integration teams
Develop and validate mechanistic understanding linking perovskite deposition, crystallization, interfaces, and post‑processing to device‑level electrical and environmental performance
Perform deep root cause investigations of yield loss, efficiency variability, and reliability excursions using metrology data, physics‑based models, and cross‑functional inputs
Lead failure analysis and excursion response efforts, including hypothesis generation, experimental design, data interpretation, and corrective action definition
Design, develop, and deploy advanced inline, at‑line, and offline metrology methods to monitor perovskite film formation, interfaces, microstructure, defects, and uniformity and their correlations with device performance and stability
Lead qualification of novel optical, spectroscopic, electrical, and structural characterization techniques suitable for pilot‑line operation (e.g., hyperspectral imaging, PL/EL spectral analysis and mapping, Raman, including in‑situ diagnostics)
Define metrology requirements and specifications to enable process window characterization, early defect detection, and statistical process control
Partner with process development, equipment, and integration teams to translate lab‑ and pilot-scale characterization techniques into manufacturing‑relevant, scalable measurement solutions
Support DOE development, parametric studies, and technology readiness assessments tied to pilot production goals
Serve as a subject‑matter expert in perovskite photovoltaic device physics, metrology, and physics‑based diagnostics for internal stakeholders
Mentor junior engineers and scientists in experimental rigor, data analysis, and problem‑solving methodologies
Author and review technical reports, internal white papers, and invention disclosures; contribute to IP generation where applicable
Collaborate with external partners, national labs, and equipment vendors
Comply with Company's Environmental, Quality, Safety or any other policies that have been enforced. Contributes to continuous improvement of said policies
Other duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
Bachelor'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 III at First Solar
Master'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 III at First Solar
Ph.D. in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 10 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer III at First Solar
Advanced understanding of optoelectronic device physics and correlation of physical measurements to IV, QE, reliability, and low-level device metrics
Strong understanding of perovskite materials physics, including crystallization behavior, defect states, interfaces, and degradation mechanisms
Demonstrated expertise in advanced materials and device characterization and data‑driven root‑cause analysis
Advanced skills in data analysis, experimental design, and statistical interpretation
Physics‑driven problem solver with strong mechanistic intuition
Comfortable with ambiguity and early‑stage technologies with an ability to reduce ambiguity through structured, physics‑based problem solving
Strong experimental rigor and data discipline
High ownership mindset; capable of independently driving complex technical programs with company‑level impact
Independently defines technical approaches within program objectives
Strong cross‑functional communicator
Commitment to safety, quality, and operational excellence
Preferred
Hands‑on experience with inline or high‑throughput metrology in a manufacturing or pilot‑line setting
Experience supporting technology transfer from R&D to manufacturing
Record of publications, patents, or externally recognized technical contributions in perovskite photovoltaics
Company
First Solar
First Solar manufactures thin film photovoltaic modules and provides PV power plants and supporting services.
5001-10000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
First Solar has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (57)
2024 (34)
2023 (19)
2022 (15)
2021 (7)
2020 (16)
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$2.17BKey Investors
U.S. International Development Finance CorpMizuho Corporate Bank
2023-07-06Post Ipo Debt· $1B
2021-12-07Post Ipo Debt· $500M
2021-04-01Undisclosed
Leadership Team
Mark Widmar
CEO
Angela Younes
Office Manager/Assistant to the CTO
Recent News
2026-01-24
2026-01-23
2026-01-23
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