Job Details

Analytical Laboratory Role

First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.

Basic Job Functions:

The person in this role is responsible for conducting routine analysis following defined methods in support of recycling, waste water, raw material production, procurement, and refinement.

Day-to-day responsibilities include sampling and sample preparation, operation and maintenance of analytical instrumentation as assigned, data management / reporting and maintenance of a clean laboratory environment.

This person will be comfortable working under the direction of laboratory management and will be conscious of safety and data quality.

Experience:

• At least 3 years experience in an analytical laboratory environment or academic equivalent experience required
• Experience in an environment involving polymer analysis, thermal analysis, and wet chemistry preferred

Education:

• Associate degree in chemistry or closely related field required
• BA or BS in chemistry or closely related field preferred
• Coursework in analytical chemistry, polymers, and inorganic or solid-state chemistry preferred

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Proven competency in chemical analysis; ICP analysis, and polymer characterization preferred
• Ability to prepare samples, standards, and conduct analyses
• Ability to learn the operation, calibration, and preventative maintenance of metrology equipment
• Skilled in wet and solid sample preparation methodology
• Will handle and use toxic as well as flammable materials
• Intermediate knowledge of standard software (MS Office suite, JMP)
• Ability to use analytical skills to read charts and graphs to find trends
• Good communication skills required
• Ability to multi-task
• Other duties as assigned
• Job description subject to change at any time

Essential Responsibilities:

• Responsible for routine analysis, under supervision, of materials using defined methods
• Operate and maintain ICP OES and /or MS instrumentation or equivalent instrumentation
• Keep complete and accurate records of laboratory activities
• Responsible for data management including accurate transcription to spreadsheets and other software
• Protect the integrity of test samples by maintaining a clean and orderly laboratory environment
• Work safely at all times, promptly reporting any safety issues to laboratory management
• Provide support to laboratory management in the development of new analytical methods
• Conduct projects to support continuous improvement
• Ensure waste materials are discarded in their designated containers
• Ensure hazardous waste containers stay closed except when adding or removing waste
• Ensure satellite accumulation containers stay in their designated locations

Reporting Relationships:

• This position reports to laboratory management
• This position does not have direct reports

Travel:

• Up to 10% travel

US Physical Requirements:

• Will sit, stand or walk short distances for up to 12 hours per day
• Will climb stairs on an occasional basis
• Will exert up to 50 pounds of force to lift, push or pull on a seldom basis
• Will lift, push or pull up to 27 pounds on a frequent basis
• Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects repetitively 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 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.