Development Engineer II - Metrology
First Solar
Santa Clara, CA · Posted September 8, 2026
Just laid off? Start here: a plan for the first weeks
See every open role at First Solar
More in California job market · Technology & Software · Engineering jobs
More roles at First Solar
- Development Engineer II - Wet Processing · Perrysburg, OH
- Manager- Engineering Manufacturing USA
- Engineer- Quality I USA (1st Shift) · Gaffney, SC
- Human Resources Manager · New Iberia, LA
- Associate Development Engineer - Laser · Perrysburg, OH
- Software Engineering Lead- Operations MES USA · New Iberia, LA
Similar jobs
- Senior Engineer, Cell Development · QuantumScape · CA
- Staff Engineer, Cell Development · QuantumScape · CA
- Ceph Cluster Development Engineer (C++ Focus) · Fortinet · Santa Clara, CA
- Sr. Aerothermal Development Engineer · Rivian Automotive, Inc. / DE · Irvine, CA
- Engineer, Chemical · Constellation Energy · Middletown, CA
- Senior Chemical Process Engineer · Inversion Space · Playa Vista, CA
Where Santa Clara, CA ranks
Where Santa Clara, CA placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.
November 2026
- #1Best cities for sales pay after cost of living$175k · of 45
- #1Best cities for product pay after cost of living$224k · of 14
- #2Best cities for operations pay after cost of living$173k · of 41
- #2Best cities for marketing pay after cost of living$192k · of 16
- #2Best all-round cities for remote workers in the West Coast85 / 100 · of 39
- #3Best cities for finance pay after cost of living$156k · of 35
Rankings about engineering jobs
- Best cities for software and engineering jobs #1 San Francisco (3,412 openings)
- Best cities for engineering pay after cost of living #1 San Mateo ($216k)
- Most requested AI skills in engineering jobs #1 AI tools in daily work (6.1%)
- AI tools named most often in engineering jobs #1 Claude (1.7%)
- Employers with the most engineering jobs #1 Amazon (2,992 roles)
How AI is used in this kind of work
AI use among chemical engineers is little observed so far. Measured exposure for chemical engineers: 0% (little observed).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
Skills this job asks for
Say which you have and which you want to build. We use it to match you to jobs like this one.
About the job
First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.
Basic Job Functions :
Lead development of electro-optical characterization and custom equipment capabilities to support perovskite solar cell research.
Apply deep technical expertise, hands-on equipment development, software programming, and data analysis to deliver robust characterization infrastructure
Enable new measurement methods, improve up time, support safe laboratory operations, and mentor others on relevant subject matter.
Experience and Education:
Bachelor Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline, with 5 years of technical work experience as an Engineer or 2 years as a Development Engineer I with First Solar.
Master Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline, with 3 years of technical work experience as an Engineer or 2 years as a Development Engineer I with First Solar.
PhD in an engineering discipline without experience.
Prior experience on tester automation is a strong plus
Required Skills :
Technical expert in electro-optical characterization, thin-film metrology and equipment development.
Hands-on experience in design, build, and programming of custom characterization equipment and embedded controls
Skilled in tool software development and numerical data analysis
Demonstrated expertise in creating safe work environment
Excellent communication skills, proven organizational skills
Prior experience in perovskite photovoltaics or optoelectronics is a plus.
Expert and hands on experience in laboratory or manufacturing environment.
In depth knowledge in several fields from the list of photovoltaic device theory, characterization techniques and other fields relevant to First Solar's technology.
Demonstrated proficiency with SolidWorks or AutoCAD strongly preferred.
Strong sense of project ownership with hands-on and can-do attitude.
Strong communication skills across organizations.
Essential Functions & Responsibilities
Develop new metrology to enable process monitoring and advanced characterization for perovskite solar cell research.
Implement novel characterization setups utilizing internal and external vendors
Communicate effectively across the organization to explain existing techniques and to learn the demand for new characterization capabilities
Supervise continues improvement and development of characterization system’s software and hardware.
Enable a system of preventive maintenance and cross-training that allows for minimal downtime of characterization infrastructure
Work closely with key stakeholders to enable implementation and continuous improvement of methods, recipes and data infrastructure
May train, mentor and manage junior and peers on specific subject matters.
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.
Job description subject to change at any time.
Estimated Salary Range:
104,910 USD per year- 149,500 USD per year
US Physical Requirements:
Will sit, stand or walk short distances for up to the entire duration of a shift.
Will climb stairs on an occasional basis.
Will lift, push or pull up to 37 pounds on an occasional basis.
Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects on a frequent basis.
20/40 vision in both eyes together, with or without correction, is required.
Must be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures.
May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis.
May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis.
Ability 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, and a condition of employment and continued employment (requires little or no facial hair) for those requiring respirator use.
Potential 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.
Equal 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.