SpaceX

1 day ago

Solar Cell Reliability Engineer (Starlink)

✓ Verified Job

Canonical indexed version, validated from employer's careers page.

Source: Company careers pageValidated by: Fursa AI

Last checked: 2 hours agoStatus: Live

Job Summary

Own the solar cell reliability lab and drive the end-to-end reliability story for Starlink’s heterojunction (HJT) solar cells—from wafer/cell process and module integration through environmental qualification and on-orbit performance. Build and continuously improve a space reliability test matrix, develop reliability narratives for reviews, establish reliability gates for process/material/tool changes, and perform failure analysis with advanced characterization to close the loop back into manufacturing.

Location: United States

Workplace: Onsite

Employment Type: Full time

Job Function: Energy & Utilities Operations

Key Responsibilities

•Own and operate the solar cell reliability lab (equipment strategy, calibration, maintenance, safety, throughput, and data integrity) for HJT cell and coupon reliability testing.
•Define, execute, and continuously improve a space reliability test matrix for HJT solar cells (e.g., thermal cycling/thermal vacuum, humidity/damp heat, UV/photo-stability, reverse bias/hotspot, mechanical shock/vibration, radiation coordination, accelerated life tests).
•Build the reliability narrative for flight and program reviews using failure modes, physics of failure, acceleration models, life predictions, margins, and acceptance/qualification logic tied to on-orbit performance.
•Partner with HJT process and equipment engineering to connect process parameters, metrology, and in-line defects to reliability outcomes; drive corrective actions and design-for-reliability changes.
•Lead root cause analysis on reliability failures using characterization tools (e.g., SEM/FIB, EDS, FTIR, PL/EL, IV, quantum efficiency, adhesion) and close the loop with manufacturing and design.

Travel: High travel

Key Requirements

•Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
•1+ years of experience in chemical engineering, materials science, electrical engineering, physics, or mechanical engineering in design, analysis, and/or system implementation.
•Experience designing, running, or analyzing accelerated environmental or reliability tests and interpreting degradation/failure data.
•Proficiency with data analysis (e.g., Python, MATLAB, JMP, R) and comfort with statistics and DOE basics.
•Ability to work full-time on-site in a production and lab environment.

Experience:1+ yearsSpaceSolar cellsPVSemiconductor devicesAerospace hardware reliability

Education:Bachelor's

Skills:Data analysisStatisticsDOE basicsRoot cause analysisCommunicationMentoringOrganizational skills

Languages:English

Tech Stack:PythonMATLABJMPRSEMFIBEDSFTIRPLELIVXRDHall effectSinton lifetimeThermal cyclingThermal vacuumUV/photo-stabilityFMEAPFMEAFMEA/PFMEA

Company Brief

SpaceX

Designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft for commercial and government customers, aiming to reduce space transportation costs and enable human life on Mars through reusable launch vehicles and integrated space systems.

Industry: Aerospace Manufacturing

Company Size: Enterprise (1,001+ employees)

Growth: Established Company

Valuation: Hectocorn (USD 100B+)

Funding: Series E+

Headquarters: Hawthorne, United States

Founded: 2002

Glassdoor: 4.2

Website LinkedIn

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SpaceX

1 day ago

Solar Cell Reliability Engineer (Starlink)

✓ Verified Job

Canonical indexed version, validated from employer's careers page.

Source: Company careers pageValidated by: Fursa AI

Last checked: 2 hours agoStatus: Live

Job Summary

Location: United States

Workplace: Onsite

Employment Type: Full time

Job Function: Energy & Utilities Operations

Key Responsibilities

•Own and operate the solar cell reliability lab (equipment strategy, calibration, maintenance, safety, throughput, and data integrity) for HJT cell and coupon reliability testing.
•Define, execute, and continuously improve a space reliability test matrix for HJT solar cells (e.g., thermal cycling/thermal vacuum, humidity/damp heat, UV/photo-stability, reverse bias/hotspot, mechanical shock/vibration, radiation coordination, accelerated life tests).
•Build the reliability narrative for flight and program reviews using failure modes, physics of failure, acceleration models, life predictions, margins, and acceptance/qualification logic tied to on-orbit performance.
•Partner with HJT process and equipment engineering to connect process parameters, metrology, and in-line defects to reliability outcomes; drive corrective actions and design-for-reliability changes.
•Lead root cause analysis on reliability failures using characterization tools (e.g., SEM/FIB, EDS, FTIR, PL/EL, IV, quantum efficiency, adhesion) and close the loop with manufacturing and design.

Travel: High travel

Key Requirements

•Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
•1+ years of experience in chemical engineering, materials science, electrical engineering, physics, or mechanical engineering in design, analysis, and/or system implementation.
•Experience designing, running, or analyzing accelerated environmental or reliability tests and interpreting degradation/failure data.
•Proficiency with data analysis (e.g., Python, MATLAB, JMP, R) and comfort with statistics and DOE basics.
•Ability to work full-time on-site in a production and lab environment.

Experience:1+ yearsSpaceSolar cellsPVSemiconductor devicesAerospace hardware reliability

Education:Bachelor's

Skills:Data analysisStatisticsDOE basicsRoot cause analysisCommunicationMentoringOrganizational skills

Languages:English

Tech Stack:PythonMATLABJMPRSEMFIBEDSFTIRPLELIVXRDHall effectSinton lifetimeThermal cyclingThermal vacuumUV/photo-stabilityFMEAPFMEAFMEA/PFMEA

Company Brief

SpaceX

Industry: Aerospace Manufacturing

Company Size: Enterprise (1,001+ employees)

Growth: Established Company

Valuation: Hectocorn (USD 100B+)

Funding: Series E+

Headquarters: Hawthorne, United States

Founded: 2002

Glassdoor: 4.2

Website LinkedIn