Automation Technician (All Crews/All PGT Plants)

Job Title: Automation Technician I - Manufacturing Sustaining

Reports To: Controls Engineering Manager - Sustaining

Job Status:

Non-Exempt

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

Basic Job Functions:

• The following is an entry level Automation Technician controls position were a successful candidate will be

required to support manufacturing operations, assist with equipment implementation/startup, , PLC/HMI

programing, and trouble-shooting/optimization of manufacturing processes control systems. This position

directly supports a manufacturing site, the successful candidate will be assigned to a manufacturing

schedule on either AM or PM crew/shift. AM shift is 6:00AM - 6:10PM. PM shift is 6:00PM - 6:10AM. This

results in a rotating 36/48 hour work week schedule, which includes working every other Friday, Saturday

and Sunday.

Education/Experience:

• Minimum 2 years of manufacturing equipment electrical/electronic/controls experience.
• Associate/Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Robotics, Industrial Controls, or Electronic Engineering (preferred)
• No Degree - Must have 5+ years verifiable experience in a related field, (i.e., Semiconductors, Automotive

etc.).

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks and set priorities.
• Ability to interpret data and make reasonable conclusions to assist in trouble-shooting process.
• Good understanding/knowledge of reading electrical/mechanical drawings and suggest modifications as

required.

• Good understanding/knowledge of manufacturing processes and safety requirements.
• Demonstrated proficiency and problem solving ability to trouble-shoot electrical/electronic control systems in

manufacturing environment.

• Competent in Autodesk AutoCAD drafting software to create electrical schematic and panel layouts.
• Good understanding/knowledge programming/trouble-shooting of Rockwell Automation Logix platform

PLC's.

• Good understanding/knowledge programming/trouble-shooting Rockwell Automation Human Machine

Interfaces (HMI) utilizing FactoryTalk View ME; Proface HMI experience a plus.

• Good understanding trouble-shooting at least two control network including ControlNet, DeviceNet, Profibus

and/or Ethernet.

• Basic understanding/knowledge of robotic systems including trouble-shooting, programming, safety.
• Good understanding of computer hardware/applications and the Microsoft Office family.
• Basic understanding of corporate Ethernet architectures and systems.
• Proficient communications skills both verbal and written.
• Basic understanding of SQL Database tables/queries.
• Basic understanding of data collection processes and OPC protocols.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Primary Responsibilities:

o Responsible for support of manufacturing facilities, including remote support of world-wide

manufacturing facilities.

o Responsible to troubleshoot, repair, problem-solve, and maintain all electrical control systems for

manufacturing equipment.

o Responsible to assist with coordination of new equipment installation and implementation; including of

MES integration events.

o Responsible for maintaining and updating of manufacturing process tool electrical drawings, ensuring

the tracking of equipment changes is documented and drawings are kept current.

o Responsible to implement new software changes/upgrades specified by the Controls Engineering

Department

o Responsible to identify, research, document and present solutions to control problems and continuous

improvement projects

o Responsible to interface with multiple departments within the organization.

o Maintain effective communications levels and fosters team building.

o Ensures adherence to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards.

• Key Competencies:

o Takes responsibility for understanding client requirements, collecting data, delivering analysis and

problem resolution. Identifies, evaluates and recommends options, implementing if required.

Collaborates with, and facilitates stakeholder groups, as part of formal or informal consultancy

agreements. Seeks to fully address client needs, enhancing the capabilities and effectiveness of client

personnel, by ensuring that proposed solutions are properly understood and appropriately exploited.

o Maintains awareness of opportunities provided by new technology to address challenges or to enable

new ways of working. Within own sphere of influence, works to further organizational goals, by the use of

emerging technologies and products. Contributes to briefings and presentations about their relevance

and potential value to the organization.

o Assists with the collection of safety assurance evidence, undertaking all work in accordance with agreed

safety, technical and quality standards, using appropriate methods and tools. Documents the results of

hazard and risk analysis activities.

o Investigates and recommends components and subsystems that meet sustainability criteria.

o Performs, analyses and documents evaluations according to a plan, excluding expert reviews.

o Configures software and equipment and tests platform-specific versions of one or more software

products. Reports the outcome of testing and identifies potential improvements to the process and to

the software products according to agreed designs and standards.

o Uses system management software and tools to collect agreed performance statistics. Carries out

agreed system software maintenance tasks.

o Identifies and resolves issues with applications, following agreed procedures. Uses application

management software and tools to collect agreed performance statistics. Carries out agreed

applications maintenance tasks.

o Carries out agreed operational procedures of a routine nature. Contributes to maintenance, installation,

and problem resolution.

o Identifies and resolves network problems following agreed procedures. Uses network management

software and tools to collect agreed performance statistics. Carries out agreed network maintenance

tasks.

o Initiates and monitors actions to investigate and resolve problems in systems and services. Assists with

the implementation of agreed remedies and preventative measures.

o Receives and handles requests for support following agreed procedures. Responds to requests for

support by providing information to enable incident resolution and promptly allocates unresolved calls as

appropriate. Maintains records and advises relevant persons of actions taken.

• Other duties as assigned.
• Job description subject to change at any time.