Automation Technician (All Crews/All PGT Plants)
First Solar · Perrysburg, OH
- Level
- Technician
- Team
- Controls
- Degree
- Preferred
- Experience asked
- 2+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A technician-level controls role at First Solar (industrial) in Perrysburg, OH. O Responsible for support of manufacturing facilities, including remote support of world-wide.
- They ask for
- 2+ years · degree preferred
- Tools it names
- PLC, Robotics, Automation, AutoCAD, MES
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
How this role compares
Against 221 other live controls postings in the US.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (2+ vs 5+)
Typical $97k–$130k, from 8 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Automation 59%
- ✓ PLC 58%
- ✓ Robotics 35%
- Root cause 25%
- Union environment 24%
- Team leadership 23%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for AutoCAD, MES, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at First Solar
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: First Solar in Perrysburg
11 other open roles at this site.
- Engineer- Facilities I US USA · Reliability
- Engineer- Equipment I USA · Manufacturing
- Technician- Manufacturing Engineer I (PGT3/C Crew Deposition) · Manufacturing
- Technician- Manufacturing Engineer II (B Crew/PM Shift)) · Manufacturing
- Technician- Manufacturing Engineer I USA (B Crew/PM Shift) · Manufacturing
- Development Engineering Technician II (C Crew/Day Crew) · Manufacturing
Full description from First SolarAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Education/Experience
- ✓Minimum 2 years of manufacturing equipment electrical/electronic/controls experience.
- ✓Associate/Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Robotics, Industrial Controls, or Electronic Engineering (preferred)
- ✓No Degree - Must have 5+ years verifiable experience in a related field, (i.e., Semiconductors, Automotive
etc.).
Required Skills/Competencies
- ✓Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks and set priorities.
- ✓Ability to interpret data and make reasonable conclusions to assist in trouble-shooting process.
- ✓Good understanding/knowledge of reading electrical/mechanical drawings and suggest modifications as
required.
- ✓Good understanding/knowledge of manufacturing processes and safety requirements.
- ✓Demonstrated proficiency and problem solving ability to trouble-shoot electrical/electronic control systems in
manufacturing environment.
- ✓Competent in Autodesk AutoCAD drafting software to create electrical schematic and panel layouts.
- ✓Good understanding/knowledge programming/trouble-shooting of Rockwell Automation Logix platform
PLC’s.
- ✓Good understanding/knowledge programming/trouble-shooting Rockwell Automation Human Machine
Interfaces (HMI) utilizing FactoryTalk View ME; Proface HMI experience a plus.
- ✓Good understanding trouble-shooting at least two control network including ControlNet, DeviceNet, Profibus
and/or Ethernet.
- ✓Basic understanding/knowledge of robotic systems including trouble-shooting, programming, safety.
- ✓Good understanding of computer hardware/applications and the Microsoft Office family.
- ✓Basic understanding of corporate Ethernet architectures and systems.
- ✓Proficient communications skills both verbal and written.
- ✓Basic understanding of SQL Database tables/queries.
- ✓Basic understanding of data collection processes and OPC protocols.
Essential
Responsibilities
- ◆Primary
Responsibilities
o Responsible for support of manufacturing facilities, including remote support of world-wide
manufacturing facilities.
o Responsible to troubleshoot, repair, problem-solve, and maintain all electrical control systems for
manufacturing equipment.
o Responsible to assist with coordination of new equipment installation and implementation; including of
MES integration events.
o Responsible for maintaining and updating of manufacturing process tool electrical drawings, ensuring
the tracking of equipment changes is documented and drawings are kept current.
o Responsible to implement new software changes/upgrades specified by the Controls Engineering
Department
o Responsible to identify, research, document and present solutions to control problems and continuous
improvement projects
o Responsible to interface with multiple departments within the organization.
o Maintain effective communications levels and fosters team building.
o Ensures adherence to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards.
- ◆Key Competencies:
o Takes responsibility for understanding client requirements, collecting data, delivering analysis and
problem resolution. Identifies, evaluates and recommends options, implementing if required.
Collaborates with, and facilitates stakeholder groups, as part of formal or informal consultancy
agreements. Seeks to fully address client needs, enhancing the capabilities and effectiveness of client
personnel, by ensuring that proposed solutions are properly understood and appropriately exploited.
o Maintains awareness of opportunities provided by new technology to address challenges or to enable
new ways of working. Within own sphere of influence, works to further organizational goals, by the use of
emerging technologies and products. Contributes to briefings and presentations about their relevance
and potential value to the organization.
o Assists with the collection of safety assurance evidence, undertaking all work in accordance with agreed
safety, technical and quality standards, using appropriate methods and tools. Documents the results of
hazard and risk analysis activities.
o Investigates and recommends components and subsystems that meet sustainability criteria.
o Performs, analyses and documents evaluations according to a plan, excluding expert reviews.
o Configures software and equipment and tests platform-specific versions of one or more software
products. Reports the outcome of testing and identifies potential improvements to the process and to
the software products according to agreed designs and standards.
o Uses system management software and tools to collect agreed performance statistics. Carries out
agreed system software maintenance tasks.
o Identifies and resolves issues with applications, following agreed procedures. Uses application
management software and tools to collect agreed performance statistics. Carries out agreed
applications maintenance tasks.
o Carries out agreed operational procedures of a routine nature. Contributes to maintenance, installation,
and problem resolution.
o Identifies and resolves network problems following agreed procedures. Uses network management
software and tools to co
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Job Title: Automation Technician I - Manufacturing Sustaining
Reports To: Controls Engineering Manager – Sustaining
Job Status
Non-Exempt
Pay: $26.97 - $38.46 hourly
First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.
Basic Job Functions
- •The following is an entry level Automation Technician controls position were a successful candidate will be
required to support manufacturing operations, assist with equipment implementation/startup, , PLC/HMI
programing, and trouble-shooting/optimization of manufacturing processes control systems. This position
directly supports a manufacturing site, the successful candidate will be assigned to a manufacturing
schedule on either AM or PM crew/shift. AM shift is 6:00AM - 6:10PM. PM shift is 6:00PM - 6:10AM. This
results in a rotating 36/48 hour work week schedule, which includes working every other Friday, Saturday
and Sunday.
