What Solar Employers Are Looking For Right Now

Posted by Joe Boyce on May 25, 2010 in Job Search Tips, Training and Education | Comments Off

The top players in the solar industry, which include SolarWorld, First Solar, SunPower,  and Solar City (to name a few) are looking primarily for engineers with experience and an extensive education.  So to start planning your career early, here are some skills to acquire to insure that you are a competitive candidate within the industry:

Education
This is a given, but companies want engineers with a strong educational background.  Most are looking for candidates who have completed two to four year programs to earn their Associates or Bachelors Degree in Engineering (mechanical and electrical), Manufacturing, Automation, Chemistry, Physics, Microelectronics, Materials Science, or other related fields.  If a management position is being considered, degrees in Business Administration and Supply Chain Management are also suggested.  The most senior positions prefer a Masters or a Ph. D as well.

Experience
The complexity of these positions requires a great deal of experience within the industry or related fields to be a competitive candidate.  If you have some experience(1-2 years) in high volume maintenance, manufacturing, research and development, or other high tech environments,  star t out with a position as a technician, entry-level engineer, or IT support.  Positions revolve around Process Integration, Maintenance (Wafer), and Efficiency.

If you have 3-5 years of experience in these fields—in addition to specific technical skills such as semiconductor characterization, production standards, or other experiences with a technology company—project engineering, program and project manager positions should be pursued.  If you’ve spent your career focused on something such as SAP applications, PV designs, or Wafer Slicing, there is a broad range of positions available specific to your skill set.

If you have 7-10 or more years of experience with the aforementioned as well as managing and training within these environments, senior positions should be considered, and could be focused on project implementation and new product development.

Applications
The general consensus is that everyone should know Microsoft Office Applications, but there is also an emerging demand for knowledge of Microsoft Project as well.  Other desired skills revolve around manufacturing and maintaining ERP systems, automation systems, statistical data analysis application, AutoCAD, and Six Sigma methodology and tools (Root Cause Analysis, SPC).

Certifications and Other Requirements
Depending on the company and the positions, some certifications are desired but not necessarily required.  These include MCSE, PHR, CEBS, and PE certifications.  Some positions require proof of Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt training as well.  Almost all positions require the ability to lift a minimum of 40 pounds, travel, and work long hours while on your feet for most of the time.  Other desired attributes include the ability to work quickly and efficiently, have a high level of prioritization skills, take initiative, and possess and entrepreneurial spirit.

What if I don’t have these skills?
Many of these firms have rotational programs and internship positions available on a regular basis, that require little to no experience in the field – just interest and knowledge about the industry and the company’s core position.  If you are hired in an entry-level position, many of these firms offer benefits including tuition reimbursement if you decide to go back to school and gain further experience.

Good luck!

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