Find & Apply For Manufacturing Engineer Jobs in Gaffney, South Carolina

Engineer- Manufacturing III USA (1st Shift) First Solar, Inc. United States, South Carolina, Gaffney Aug 31, 2026 First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.

Basic Job Functions:

Provide technical leadership within team. Work with Development Engineering to develop robust, manufacturable processes. Implement new processes to meet schedule, leading troubleshooting efforts as needed to meet project requirements. Define requirements, evaluate install and qualify new process equipment. Troubleshoot day-to-day manufacturing issues on the production line in a timely manner. Identify and implement continuous improvements that contribute to the achievement of throughput, yield and product performance goals.

Education/Experience:

Associates Degree in a technical discipline with 2 years as First Solar Manufacturing Engineer II, or 5 Years Engineering experience in a manufacturing setting or 4 years Engineering and 6 years technical experience in a manufacturing setting or

Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline with 2 years as First Solar Manufacturing Engineer II, or 5 years Engineering experience in a manufacturing setting, or 4 years Engineering and 3 years technical experience in a manufacturing setting or

MS Degree in a technical discipline with 2 years as First Solar Manufacturing Engineer II or 4 years engineering experience in a manufacturing setting or

PhD Degree in a technical discipline with 2 years as First Solar Manufacturing Engineer II or 3 years of experience in a manufacturing setting

Required Skills/Competencies:

Provide technical leadership

Demonstrated proficiency with applying Robust Engineering

Excellent Structured Problem-Solving Method (such as DMAIC)

Outstanding knowledge of manufacturing processes

Outstanding skill in generating and maintaining FMEAs

Demonstrated proficiency in applying DOE

Outstanding skill in applying SPC to control and improve processes

Outstanding skill with Statistical Data Analysis

Outstanding skill in Metrology and measurement best practices

Develop and provide technical training

Ability to work with minimal supervision

Excellent oral and written communications skills

Proficient in maintaining and troubleshooting General Electronics

Proficient in maintaining and troubleshooting General Mechanical Systems

Preferred to have knowledge of deposition principles and vacuum fundamentals

Responsibilities:

Responsible to develop, continually improve, and document robust solar module manufacturing processes to achieve the highest product performance in a cost-efficient manner

Lead Teams through Continuous Improvement Activities and structured problem solving

Capable of sustaining entire process area

Inject manufacturing requirements to new process development by working with development team

Design and execute planned process experiments, collect, and analyze data and report experimental results

Leads task forces and communicates status updates to stakeholders

Evaluate, Install and Qualify new equipment

Champion continuous improvement activities using six-sigma and other statistical problem-solving methods

Provide mentorship and project oversight to assist in the development of junior engineers

Resolve day-to-day production, equipment, and process problems

Identify training needs and develop and provide training to other engineers, engineering technicians, and production associates

Develop Process Control Plans and Preventive Maintenance Plans

Responsible for data collection relating to daily equipment performance and associated product performance

Responsible to interface with internal associates and supplier representatives as required to complete assigned projects

Maintain effective communication with production associates and manufacturing engineers

Set up new gauges and perform Gauge maintenance

Works with minimal supervision

Adhere to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards

Domestic and International travel as required

Other duties as assigned

Job description subject to change at any time

Reporting Relationships:

This position may have direct reports

Travel:

Domestic and International travel as required

Estimated Salary Range:

84,200 - 120,000,

Annually 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 27 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 each eye, 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)

All 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) 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 band 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.