First Solar→
Engineer- Corporate Recycling Wastewater I… at First Solar · 1 First…
Entry LevelOn-siteFull-time1 First Solar Way, Trinity, AL, 35673$62k–$89k/yr
Skills
chemical process developmentmechanical aptitudestatistical data analysisproject managementprocess control designmaterial handling systems designpiping designprocess troubleshootingindustrial equipment installationteam buildingfluent computer skillshands-on approach
Job Description
Summary: First Solar is a leading renewable energy company specializing in solar power solutions. They are seeking an Engineer for Corporate Recycling Wastewater to develop new recycling processes and wastewater treatment systems, ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
Responsibilities:
- Evaluate, develop and implement novel approaches to recycle wastewater & waste scrap solar panels (First Solar and other Crystalline Silicon solar panels)
- Conduct chemical plant process material balance studies and develop techniques to improve recovery rates of all precious metals and to reduce Cd emissions in the process plant effluent streams
- Work with front line operators & technicians to conduct pilot plant test runs to generate data that could be used to develop new waste/ wastewater treatment systems
- Take lead to troubleshoot chemical process problems and implement corrective actions globally to improve product quality and to reduce the overall plant operating cost
- Assist with process detailed engineering design review, and project management of remote recycling & water treatment projects, including some construction oversight
- Assist senior engineers to develop engineering process design specification package for vendor selection, construction project planning and oversight of recycling & process/ waste water treatment systems/projects
- Implementing and documenting detailed plant design modifications in new or existing plants under the company change control process
- Solicit request for proposals from vendors/contractors and review vendor/contractor submittal packages to ensure project intent and goals are met
- Assist Engineering Managers to develop capital budgets and coordinate project activities, to ensure that all project deliverables are met on time and within budget
- Work with Corporate Engineering teams, EHS staff, plant manufacturing teams, and development engineering team to successfully develop methods for treatment/disposal of hazardous chemicals/ materials
- Lead startup/debug of processes in new plant sites and/or process modifications/upgrades at existing & new plant sites
- Work with purchasing to establish acceptable contracts and contract terms and conditions for global recycling & water treatment equipment and projects
- Creating effective communications to foster team building
- Strict adherence to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards
Required Qualifications:
- 1-5 years' experience in chemical/mechanical process development including product quality improvement, chemical process optimization, transitioning a R&D process into manufacturing
- Good mechanical aptitude & experience in statistical data analysis and design of experiments
- Experience in working with chemical plant operators, maintenance technicians including off-shift hours
- Material handling systems design, piping design and process control design experience
- New process plant start-up, process troubleshooting & hazardous material handling experience
- Project management for chemical processes and/or mechanical systems, including managing scope, schedule, and cost
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, preferably mechanical or chemical
- High School diploma plus Mechanical/ Electrical Journeymen qualification with 15+ years of industry experience
- Skills to read and interpret Process & Instrumentation Drawings, detailed engineering design drawings and bill of materials (electrical, mechanical, civil, process controls, etc.)
- Strong statistical analysis and chemical process development skills
- Strong drive to transfer ideas to practical use in chemical process manufacturing environment through all stages of process development including process qualification
- Project management skills to control project schedule & financial budget
- Chemical process operations skills with ability to coordinate process engineering activities with night shift operations crew members & multiple vendors/contractors
- Industrial equipment erection, installation, start-up, and troubleshooting experience
- Strong mechanical and process control aptitude with hands-on approach to develop new engineering solutions
- Fluent computer skills in (MS Word, MS Excel, MS Project, MS Access, and AutoCAD)
- Problem solving and troubleshooting skills
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
- 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)
Preferred Qualifications:
- Candidate with some specific experience in solar module recycling process development will be preferred
- Experience in working with chemical plant operators, maintenance technicians including off-shift hours will be preferred
Required Skills: Chemical process development, Mechanical aptitude, Statistical data analysis, Project management
Important Skills: Process control design, Material handling systems design, Piping design, Process troubleshooting, Industrial equipment installation
Nice-to-Have Skills: Team building, Fluent computer skills, Hands-on approach