Manufacturing Jobs at First Solar with Visa Sponsorship
Manufacturing roles at First Solar span process engineering, equipment maintenance, production operations, and quality systems across the company's thin-film solar panel facilities. First Solar has a consistent track record of sponsoring international talent in manufacturing functions, supporting candidates through H-1B, OPT, and permanent residence pathways.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.
ABOUT THE JOB
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.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:
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.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
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.
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 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.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:
This position could have direct reports.
TRAVEL:
Domestic and international travel as required.
ESTIMATED SALARY RANGE:
$68,800-98,000 8%
US PHYSICAL 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).
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.
Job Identification
1024331
Job Category
Plant MFG Engineering
Posting Date
04/30/2026, 03:20 PM
Locations
1400 Corporate Drive, New Iberia, LA, 70560, US
Apply Before
06/19/2026, 11:00 PM
Job Schedule
Full time
Work Schedule
1st M-F 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM Exempt (United States of America)
INTRODUCTION
First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.
ABOUT THE JOB
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.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:
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.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
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.
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 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.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:
This position could have direct reports.
TRAVEL:
Domestic and international travel as required.
ESTIMATED SALARY RANGE:
$68,800-98,000 8%
US PHYSICAL 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).
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.
Job Identification
1024331
Job Category
Plant MFG Engineering
Posting Date
04/30/2026, 03:20 PM
Locations
1400 Corporate Drive, New Iberia, LA, 70560, US
Apply Before
06/19/2026, 11:00 PM
Job Schedule
Full time
Work Schedule
1st M-F 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM Exempt (United States of America)
See all 39+ Manufacturing at First Solar jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Manufacturing at First Solar roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Manufacturing Jobs at First Solar Jobs
Align Your Credentials with Thin-Film Production
First Solar manufactures cadmium telluride thin-film panels, not silicon-based modules. Tailor your resume to highlight experience with physical vapor deposition, vacuum systems, or semiconductor fabrication processes rather than generic solar or electrical manufacturing.
Target First Solar's U.S. Factory Locations Directly
First Solar's primary U.S. manufacturing campus is in Perrysburg, Ohio, with additional expansion sites in Alabama. Apply to roles tied to those specific locations, since visa sponsorship decisions are made at the facility level, not through a centralized corporate HR pool.
Start Your OPT Job Search at Least Four Months Early
USCIS recommends applying for OPT authorization up to 90 days before your program end date. Manufacturing roles at First Solar often have multi-round interviews and equipment-specific assessments, so build in enough lead time before your work authorization begins.
Understand Where TN Fits for Manufacturing Roles
Canadian and Mexican nationals in qualifying engineering or scientific roles can enter under TN status without waiting for an H-1B cap date. If your manufacturing function maps to an approved TN category, confirm that alignment with First Solar's HR team before the offer stage.
Clarify H-1B Filing Timing During Offer Negotiations
If you're outside the H-1B cap, ask First Solar's recruiting team whether they file in the April lottery or use cap-exempt pathways. Knowing this before you sign determines whether you're waiting up to a year for October 1 status to begin.
Use Migrate Mate to Find Sponsorship-Confirmed Openings
Not every Manufacturing posting at First Solar will state sponsorship availability upfront. Use Migrate Mate to browse roles at First Solar filtered by visa type, so you're applying to positions where sponsorship has already been confirmed rather than asking cold in the interview.
Manufacturing at First Solar jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Manufacturing at First Solar JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does First Solar sponsor H-1B visas for Manufacturing roles?
Yes, First Solar sponsors H-1B visas for Manufacturing positions, particularly in process engineering, equipment engineering, and quality roles that meet USCIS specialty occupation criteria. The role must require a bachelor's degree or higher in a directly related technical field. Production operator and general technician roles are less likely to qualify for H-1B sponsorship than engineering-level positions.
How do I apply for Manufacturing jobs at First Solar?
Applications go through First Solar's careers portal on their website. You can also find sponsorship-confirmed Manufacturing openings on Migrate Mate, which filters roles by visa type so you can identify positions where international candidates are actively considered. Before applying, confirm which facility the role is based at, since hiring processes differ between First Solar's Ohio and Alabama manufacturing campuses.
Which visa types does First Solar commonly use for Manufacturing roles?
First Solar sponsors H-1B visas for engineering-level Manufacturing positions and supports F-1 OPT and CPT for students in STEM programs completing internships or early-career roles. TN status is available for qualifying Canadian and Mexican nationals in eligible engineering classifications. For longer-term hires, First Solar also sponsors EB-2 and EB-3 Green Card pathways through the PERM labor certification process administered by the DOL.
What qualifications does First Solar look for in Manufacturing candidates?
Engineering roles typically require a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, materials science, electrical engineering, or a closely related discipline, along with familiarity with cleanroom protocols, thin-film deposition, or semiconductor process control. For H-1B eligibility, the degree must be in a field directly related to the specific job duties. Hands-on experience with automated production equipment, statistical process control, or yield improvement is consistently valued across First Solar's manufacturing job postings.
How long does the visa sponsorship process take for a Manufacturing offer at First Solar?
Timeline depends on the visa type. OPT and TN can begin within days of an offer if documentation is in order. H-1B sponsorship for cap-subject candidates requires filing in April for an October 1 start, meaning a gap of up to six months between offer and work authorization. PERM-based Green Card sponsorship through EB-2 or EB-3 typically takes one to three years or longer depending on your priority date and country of birth.
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