H-1B Visa Research Manager Jobs
Research Manager roles qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations when they require at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field like social sciences, public health, or data science. Employers filing H-1B petitions must certify a prevailing wage through the DOL before USCIS approves your petition.
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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.
Basic Job Functions:
- Lead CdTe photovoltaic absorber research and development.
- Develop and deploy new manufacturable technologies and processes to improve solar cell performance and reliability.
- Lead technical team of engineers and technicians through stages of new technology development from basic feasibility and understanding through process development, definition, and implementation.
Education/Experience:
- Bachelors in material science, physics, or similar technical discipline.
- Master’s or Ph.D. is preferred.
- Minimum 5 years’ experience (3 years’ experience if Masters or 2 years’ experience if Ph.D.) in a Device Development, Process Integration, or Process Development.
- Semiconductor / Thin Film / Electronics Related Industry Experience.
- Experience with Thin Film Photovoltaics preferred.
- People and Project Management experience.
- Experience in Semiconductor Industry or PV Technology Industry in the following areas is strongly preferred:
- Thin Film Deposition Processes (vacuum deposition), Thermal Processes & Process Control.
- Device Integration and characterization.
- Material Characterization.
Required Skills/Competencies:
- Proven history of innovation in developing new technologies and processes for high-performance solar cells.
- Ability to develop, plan and manage complex and multidisciplinary R&D projects, assess technological risk, scopes, and timelines.
- Experience in thin film metrology development, device characterization and test equipment development with sufficient understanding of optical, electrical, and opto-electronic properties of photovoltaic devices.
- Fundamental understanding of material and device characterization as well as failure analysis and root cause understanding.
- Experience in thin film deposition methods and processes.
- Advanced understanding of process equipment, engineering techniques and practices.
- Ability to handle complex data, summarize, and communicate results effectively.
- Demonstrated ability to manage engineers, set-up goals and objectives and motivate others to accomplish desired results.
- Ability to coordinate activities between various engineering and operations groups. Good verbal and written communication skills are required.
- Proven competency in statistical process optimization and data analysis, including Design of Experiments (DOE), Analysis of Variance and Process Control implementation and optimization.
- Experience using statistical software (JMP preferred).
Essential Responsibilities:
- Direct or matrix manage a team of cross functional engineers. Define specific and quantifiable objectives for each individual team member as well as for the team.
- Strong written and verbal communications skills to ensure effective cooperation of interdepartmental teams.
- Responsible for effective communication between teams, foster team building, encourage creativity.
- Effectively interface with other functional areas in support of development activities.
- Ensure adherence to program goals and schedules.
- Prioritize experiments and activities.
- Integrate material and device characteristics and process data to determine the mechanisms and root causes of failures and resulting film and device properties.
- Ensure adherence to all safety procedures and housekeeping standards.
- Develop First Solar IP portfolio by documenting inventions and supporting First Solar IP personnel in writing intellectual property and patents.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Job description subject to change at any time.
Reporting Relationships:
- Reports to Development Director.
- Will have direct reports.
Travel:
- 0% - 5% (On occasion/as needed for training, etc.)
Estimated Salary Range:
- $131,200 - $187,000
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 37 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 both eyes together, 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, and a condition of employment and continued employment (requires little or no facial hair) for those requiring respirator use.
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.
LOCATION
28101 Cedar Park Blvd, Perrysburg, OH, 43551, US
Job Schedule
Full time
Work Schedule
M-F 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (United States of America)
INTRODUCTION
First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.
Basic Job Functions:
- Lead CdTe photovoltaic absorber research and development.
- Develop and deploy new manufacturable technologies and processes to improve solar cell performance and reliability.
- Lead technical team of engineers and technicians through stages of new technology development from basic feasibility and understanding through process development, definition, and implementation.
Education/Experience:
- Bachelors in material science, physics, or similar technical discipline.
- Master’s or Ph.D. is preferred.
- Minimum 5 years’ experience (3 years’ experience if Masters or 2 years’ experience if Ph.D.) in a Device Development, Process Integration, or Process Development.
- Semiconductor / Thin Film / Electronics Related Industry Experience.
- Experience with Thin Film Photovoltaics preferred.
- People and Project Management experience.
- Experience in Semiconductor Industry or PV Technology Industry in the following areas is strongly preferred:
- Thin Film Deposition Processes (vacuum deposition), Thermal Processes & Process Control.
- Device Integration and characterization.
- Material Characterization.
Required Skills/Competencies:
- Proven history of innovation in developing new technologies and processes for high-performance solar cells.
- Ability to develop, plan and manage complex and multidisciplinary R&D projects, assess technological risk, scopes, and timelines.
- Experience in thin film metrology development, device characterization and test equipment development with sufficient understanding of optical, electrical, and opto-electronic properties of photovoltaic devices.
- Fundamental understanding of material and device characterization as well as failure analysis and root cause understanding.
- Experience in thin film deposition methods and processes.
- Advanced understanding of process equipment, engineering techniques and practices.
- Ability to handle complex data, summarize, and communicate results effectively.
- Demonstrated ability to manage engineers, set-up goals and objectives and motivate others to accomplish desired results.
- Ability to coordinate activities between various engineering and operations groups. Good verbal and written communication skills are required.
- Proven competency in statistical process optimization and data analysis, including Design of Experiments (DOE), Analysis of Variance and Process Control implementation and optimization.
- Experience using statistical software (JMP preferred).
Essential Responsibilities:
- Direct or matrix manage a team of cross functional engineers. Define specific and quantifiable objectives for each individual team member as well as for the team.
- Strong written and verbal communications skills to ensure effective cooperation of interdepartmental teams.
- Responsible for effective communication between teams, foster team building, encourage creativity.
- Effectively interface with other functional areas in support of development activities.
- Ensure adherence to program goals and schedules.
- Prioritize experiments and activities.
- Integrate material and device characteristics and process data to determine the mechanisms and root causes of failures and resulting film and device properties.
- Ensure adherence to all safety procedures and housekeeping standards.
- Develop First Solar IP portfolio by documenting inventions and supporting First Solar IP personnel in writing intellectual property and patents.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Job description subject to change at any time.
Reporting Relationships:
- Reports to Development Director.
- Will have direct reports.
Travel:
- 0% - 5% (On occasion/as needed for training, etc.)
Estimated Salary Range:
- $131,200 - $187,000
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 37 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 both eyes together, 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, and a condition of employment and continued employment (requires little or no facial hair) for those requiring respirator use.
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.
LOCATION
28101 Cedar Park Blvd, Perrysburg, OH, 43551, US
Job Schedule
Full time
Work Schedule
M-F 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (United States of America)
See all 976+ H-1B Visa Research Manager Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Research Manager Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Research Manager
Map your degree to the role
USCIS requires your degree field to align directly with research management duties. A degree in sociology supports a public health research role, but a general business degree often won't. Document how your coursework maps to the specific research domain the job covers.
Check prevailing wage tiers before accepting
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the Level I through Level IV wage for Research Manager in the employer's metro area. If the offer falls below Level II, the employer may face DOL scrutiny on the LCA, which can delay or complicate your petition.
Target employers with active research infrastructure
Universities, federal contractors, pharmaceutical companies, and think tanks file H-1B petitions for Research Managers far more consistently than early-stage startups. Use Migrate Mate to filter employers by verified H-1B filing history for research-classified roles.
Clarify the SOC code before the LCA is filed
Research Manager positions get filed under different Standard Occupational Classification codes depending on whether the work is medical, market, or social science research. The SOC code determines your prevailing wage tier, so confirm with your employer which code they intend to use before the LCA is submitted to DOL.
Prepare for a Request for Evidence on specialty occupation
USCIS frequently issues RFEs for managerial research roles, questioning whether the position requires a degree in a specific specialty. Gather job postings for comparable roles at peer organizations that list degree requirements, and ask your employer to document why the specific research domain necessitates your degree field.
Start your H-1B timeline from the registration window
Cap-subject H-1B registrations open each March for an October 1 start date. If your OPT or other status expires before October, ask your employer about cap-exempt filing options through a university or nonprofit affiliation, which bypass the lottery entirely.
H-1B Visa Research Manager: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Research Manager role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
It depends on how the role is defined. USCIS requires that the position normally requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific related field, not just any degree. Research Manager roles in clinical trials, social science, or data science typically qualify. General program management roles with broad degree requirements are more likely to receive an RFE challenging specialty occupation status.
How do I find employers who sponsor H-1B visas for Research Manager positions?
Search Migrate Mate to filter Research Manager openings by employers with verified H-1B filing history. Academic medical centers, federal contractors, and pharmaceutical companies are among the most consistent sponsors for this role. Checking DOL Labor Condition Application disclosure data confirms which employers have filed recently for research-classified positions.
Can I switch Research Manager jobs on an H-1B without losing my status?
Yes, but your new employer must file an H-1B transfer petition before your current job ends. Under the portability provisions of AC21, you can begin working for the new employer as soon as the transfer petition is filed and receipt is confirmed by USCIS, provided your current H-1B has been approved and you've maintained valid status. Don't resign until the transfer is receipted.
What documents does a Research Manager need to support an H-1B petition?
You'll need your academic transcripts showing a degree in a field directly related to the research domain, a credential evaluation if your degree is from outside the U.S., and a detailed letter of support from the employer explaining why the role requires your specific degree field. If your title is managerial but the work is substantively research-focused, the employer's documentation explaining day-to-day duties carries significant weight with USCIS.
How does the O*NET classification affect an H-1B petition for Research Managers?
USCIS and DOL both reference O*NET occupational profiles to assess whether a job qualifies as a specialty occupation and to determine the appropriate prevailing wage level. The O*NET profile for Research Managers lists a typical entry-level education of a bachelor's degree, which supports specialty occupation eligibility. Your employer's petition should align the job duties with the O*NET description to reduce the risk of an RFE.