Engineer- Manufacturing I USA
First Solar · Trinity, AL
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Base pay
- $68k–$98k
- Degree
- Required
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level manufacturing role at First Solar (industrial) in Trinity, AL.
- They ask for
- degree required
- Tools it names
- DMAIC, SPC, Control plans, DOE, PLC, Robotics
- Base pay
- $68k–$98k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in Alabama: typical posted base $111k–$151k. This one lists $68k–$98k.
Median of the low and high ends of 5 live postings that list pay, out of 45 manufacturing engineer openings in Alabama, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Alabama plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 44 other live manufacturing postings in Alabama.
- Experience asked
- Not stated
Similar roles usually ask 3+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Root cause 58%
- Tooling 58%
- ✓ Welding 44%
- Machining 40%
- FMEA 40%
- Lean 36%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for DMAIC, DOE, PLC, 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 Manufacturing team at First Solar
We found 4 people at this company and state: 2 in this kind of role, 2 leaders. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See 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.
Write to Xiao → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- 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 Trinity
4 other open roles at this site · 4 people we found in manufacturing roles at First Solar.
- Technician- Manufacturing Engineer II USA (Crew A) · Manufacturing
- Technician- Manufacturing Engineer I USA (Crew C) · Manufacturing
- Production Technician (Nights) · Production · Technician
- Maintenance Technician (AM or PM Crew) · Reliability · Technician
Full description from First SolarAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Manufacturing Engineer Required Skills
- ✓Understands and can apply Statistical Data Analysis.
- ✓Good problem-solving skills.
- ✓Understands metrology and measurement best practices.
- ✓Good oral and written communication skills.
- ✓Ability to write manufacturing documentation.
Responsibilities
- ◆Responsible for solving day-to-day production, equipment, and process problems
- ◆Install and qualify new equipment
- ◆Maintain Gauges.
- ◆Design and execute planned process experiments, collect and analyze data and report experimental results.
- ◆Perform data collection relating to daily equipment performance and associated product performance.
- ◆Interface with internal associates and supplier representatives as required to complete assigned projects.
- ◆Maintain effective communication with production associates and manufacturing engineers.
- ◆Develop and provide training to engineering technicians, and production associates.
- ◆Identify and implement yield and product performance improvement.
- ◆Develop and maintain drawings, process specifications, and develop and enforce standard operating procedures.
- ◆Develop and maintain process control plans.
- ◆Adhere to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards.
- ◆Other duties as assigned.
- ◆Job description subject to change at any time.
Requirements
Hybrid 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).
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.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.
Basic Job Functions
The Manufacturing Engineer will install and qualify new process equipment as well as troubleshoot day-to-day manufacturing issues on the production line in a timely manner. These include tool-down issues, yield, quality issues, and identifying actions to prevent repeat issues . Identifying and/or implementing system improvements that contribute to the achievement of throughput, yield, and product performance goals.
Candidates must meet one of the following criteria to qualify
- •Associate’s Degree in an engineering or similar technical discipline combined with
- •3 or more years of First Solar technical experience, or
- •6 or more years of technical work experience in a Manufacturing setting.
- •Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, or Ph.D. in an engineering or similar technical discipline with no experience required. Technical work experience in combination with a degree is preferred.
- •The following certifications and experience can be used in lieu of the above degree requirements. In each case the candidate must demonstrate skills and experience in peer training/mentorship and basic data analysis
- •3 or more years’ experience as a First Solar Maintenance Technician III, MET III, EPT III or Equipment Coordinator III or
- •Journeyman certification in a relevant technical discipline such as Machinist or Electrician combined with 5 or more years industry experience at Journeyman level or
- •10 or more years’ experience as a highly skilled technician/specialist in a relevant discipline. Industry-recognized certification strongly preferred.
Manufacturing Engineer Desired Skills
- +Understands and can apply DOE.
- +Understands and can apply Statistical Process Control (SPC).
- +Understands and can apply structured problem-solving (such as DMAIC).
- +Ability to work with minimal supervision.
- +General Electrical / Electronics.
- +General Mechanical.
- +Previous experience in one or more of the following process areas: Vacuum Deposition/ Thermal/ Laser/ Wetline/ Automation/ Adhesive/ Welding/ Material Handling/ Robotics/ Vision Systems/ PLC Programming among others.
Essential
Reporting Relationships
- •This position could have direct reports.
Travel
- •Domestic and international travel as required.