Facilities Engineer

First Solar is seeking a Facilities Engineer I in Lafayette, LA, responsible for overseeing building maintenance, contractor management, and safety. The role requires knowledge of facility systems and manufacturing processes. Candidates should have relevant education or experience in Facility Engineering within a manufacturing setting. Key skills include knowledge of electrical systems, safety procedures, and excellent communication. The position involves interfacing with various departments and ensuring compliance with safety standards.
Basic Job Functions:

The Facility Engineer I will oversee building maintenance, housekeeping, landscaping, contractor work administration, and safety management. This role will receive input from various internal and external sources, working with Plant Replication, Manufacturing and Development Engineering to modify facility systems ensuring project budget and timing is met. The successful individual will have a broad knowledge of the existing facilities, production equipment and manufacturing processes.

Education/Experience:
• High School diploma
• 5 years as a Facility Engineering Technician in a Manufacturing setting or:
• Skilled Trade Electrical or Mechanical Journeyman with 3 years in a Manufacturing setting or:
• Associate degree in a technical discipline with 3 years as a Facility Engineering Technician in a manufacturing setting or:
• Bachelor’s Degree in a technical discipline with 1-3 years as a Facility Engineering Technician in a manufacturing setting.
• Demonstrates experience with commercial building utility power, air compressors, emergency generators, plumbing, fire detection and facility systems.
• Able to detect and resolve problems using professional knowledge and strong problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of Facilities Engineering Techniques and Practices.
• Knowledge of computer applications including CAD a plus.

Required Skills/Competencies:
• Knowledge of building electrical, mechanical and HVAC with a strong emphasis on electrical systems.
• Knowledge of OSHA 70E Arc Flash programs.
• Knowledge of facility BMS systems, access control, security, life safety, and fire systems.
• Excellent communications skills.
• A team player with the ability to work well with internal and external teams.

Essential Responsibilities:
• Ensures that all contractors and on-site vendors procured by the Facilities Manager are aware of and adhere to all Company Safety Procedures and that they signify by signing the proper documentation.
• Interfaces with other departments, contractor, and supplier personnel.
• Assists in the department budget process and audits the same to ensure that goals are met.
• Responsible for effective communications levels and fosters team building.
• Responsible for adherence to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards.
• Identifies and recommends opportunities for cost savings.
• Maintains Perrysburg building and grounds facilities using applicable resources and equipment.
• * Evaluates and recommends all facility-related contractors including janitorial, security, grounds/building maintenance, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. Administers contracts, ensuring that the building is receiving quality service & prices according to the contract. Resolves any discrepancies with contractor.
• Plans, directs, and coordinates activities concerned with design, construction, modification, and maintenance of equipment and machinery within the plant.
• Establishes standards and policies, maintains OSHA 70-E electrical standards.
• Recommends equipment and services purchased to improve operating efficiencies and provides justification required. Conducts comprehensive studies to analyze and improve utility and departmental effectiveness.
• Provides leadership in achieving safety goals. Ensures on-going safety awareness for facilities department and ensures that various environmental and safety regulatory requirements are met.
• Maintains facility engineering drawings.
• Oversees new construction projects. Ensures that contractors are performing work that is timely and meets specifications. Ensures that invoices for work and materials are in accordance with the contract. Resolves any problems with contractor or material supplier.
• Performs other assignments as required.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Job description subject to change at any time.

Reporting Relationships:
• This position will not have direct reports.

Travel:
• 5% - 10%

Estimated Salary Range:
• $61,000 - $87,000, annually

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).

Office Physical Requirements:

All positions in our office require interaction with people and technology while either standing or sitting. To best service our customers, internal and external, all associates must be able to communicate face-to-face and on the phone with or without reasonable accommodation. First Solar is committed to compliance with its obligations under all applicable state and federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. In keeping with this commitment, it attempts to reasonably accommodate applicants and employees in accordance with the requirements of the disability discrimination laws. It also invites individuals with disabilities to participate in a good faith, interactive process to identify reasonable accommodations that can be made without imposing an undue hardship.

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.

Company DescriptionFirst Solar in Louisiana
First Solar is expanding its American solar manufacturing footprint into the heart of Acadiana in Iberia Parish with a new advanced manufacturing facility, which is expected to be commissioned in the first half of 2026. The new facility will use First Solar’s proprietary process to transform sheets of glass into fully functioning solar panels - capable of generating clean electricity from sunlight - in approximately four-and-a-half hours.