Application Engineering Manager USA

Manager - Application Engineering

First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset. The Manager - Application Engineering role at First Solar is critical for driving technical excellence, product integration, and market expansion. This position demands strong leadership, deep technical expertise, and a strategic approach to developing and maintaining global partnerships. The role will provide technical leadership and management of First Solar's BOS and EPC interests while managing the team's support of strategic, commercial, and technical objectives. This role will also influence product roadmaps, define product value positioning, promote technical transparency, and support the sale of technically sophisticated solutions at module and system levels globally. The Manager of Application Engineering is responsible for integrating First Solar products into the solar industry ecosystem and developing solutions to enhance current and future product offerings. The role serves as the primary technical authority on MBOS, EBOS, and EPC technical and commercial optimization of First Solar products. The Manager will manage the Application Engineering team, ensuring technical understanding of First Solar products in global markets to inform product and business strategy. This role will support troubleshooting, cost estimating, and maximize product competitiveness through technical economic optimizations.

Education/Experience: Bachelor of Science in Engineering or related field. Masters/MBA in Engineering or related field (optional). 5+ years professional experience in PV Module/Systems/Project Development. 5+ years professional experience in renewables, utility, or construction-related fields. 5+ years of customer-facing experience (PV Module/Systems experience strongly preferred). Demonstrated knowledge of module product design, energy prediction, PV systems, and project construction. Expertise in Solar module technology, and industry trends thereof. Expertise in building codes, risk mapping and governing requirements of solar products. Strong knowledge of design and activities for construction projects, EPC means and methods, and detailed understanding in Balance of System components (structures, wiring harnesses, and inverters). Strong organizational skills and experience managing multiple projects in parallel. Proven leadership skills with a history of managing a team of engineers.

Required Skills/Competencies: Excellent interpersonal skills and professional demeanor. Proven cross-functional collaboration experience. Strong leadership skills with a history of managing engineering teams. Effective written and oral communication skills. Ability to simplify complex technical arguments for diverse audiences. Proficiency in cost estimation for procurement and construction of PV power plants. Familiarity with industry practices in active markets. Proficiency in MS Office, especially Excel, and PV energy simulation software. Willingness to travel up to 50%, including international travel.

Essential Responsibilities: Leadership & Management: Lead a team of engineers to maximize competitiveness in presales negotiations and optimize project execution. Direct supervision of regional application engineering resources. Technical Expertise: Provide technical application support for module and balance of system design and support. Contributes strategic insight to development and refinement of new market developments, technological advances and adjacent product roadmaps. Maintain and grow ecosystem relationships to support current and future products globally. Industry Engagement: Build strong relationships with leading solar EBOS, MBOS, and EPC firms to enable cost-effective installations and rapid adoption of First Solar products. Lead cost estimating and BOS activities. Ris