SpaceX

3 months ago

PVD Process Engineer, Solar Cells (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

PVD Process Engineer for SpaceX Starlink solar cell production leads the development, optimization, and scaling of PVD processes (ITO and thin films) for high-efficiency SHJ cells, from greenfield plant setup to high-volume production, collaborating across toolsets, materials, and process development teams to achieve low defect rates, high yields, and reliable space-grade solar cells.

Location: United States

Workplace: Onsite

Employment Type: Full time

Job Function: Industrial, Process & Manufacturing Engineering

Key Responsibilities

•Design, qualify, and optimize PVD sputtering processes (e.g., DC/RF magnetron sputtering) for SHJ front and back contacts, ensuring uniformity, adhesion, resistivity, and optical transmission at GW-scale volumes
•Lead process development for new toolsets and materials, including target management, deposition rate optimization, and defect reduction to support state-of-the-art efficiency cells
•Responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining new and/or improved manufacturing processes, equipment, technologies, and facilities
•Analyze production processes and machinery from a first principles, physics-based approach
•Develop experiments to diagnose and correct manufacturing problems, utilizing robust DOE and statistical methodologies

Travel: High travel

Key Requirements

•Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
•1+ years of experience in chemical engineering design, analysis, and/or system implementation
•5+ years of hands-on experience in PVD process engineering
•Strong understanding of vacuum systems, plasma physics, sputtering dynamics, and thin-film characterization techniques (e.g., XRD, SEM, Hall effect)
•Ability to travel frequently for work

Experience:1-5 yearsSolarSpaceSemiconductorsThin-film solarPhotovoltaics

Education:Bachelor's in Engineering

Skills:Problem-solvingCommunicationTeamworkAnalytical thinkingLeadership

Languages:English

Tech Stack:PVDMagnetron sputteringITOXRDSEMHall effectPythonRSQLDOESPC

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

3 months ago

PVD Process Engineer, Solar Cells (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: Industrial, Process & Manufacturing Engineering

Key Responsibilities

•Design, qualify, and optimize PVD sputtering processes (e.g., DC/RF magnetron sputtering) for SHJ front and back contacts, ensuring uniformity, adhesion, resistivity, and optical transmission at GW-scale volumes
•Lead process development for new toolsets and materials, including target management, deposition rate optimization, and defect reduction to support state-of-the-art efficiency cells
•Responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining new and/or improved manufacturing processes, equipment, technologies, and facilities
•Analyze production processes and machinery from a first principles, physics-based approach
•Develop experiments to diagnose and correct manufacturing problems, utilizing robust DOE and statistical methodologies

Travel: High travel

Key Requirements

•Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
•1+ years of experience in chemical engineering design, analysis, and/or system implementation
•5+ years of hands-on experience in PVD process engineering
•Strong understanding of vacuum systems, plasma physics, sputtering dynamics, and thin-film characterization techniques (e.g., XRD, SEM, Hall effect)
•Ability to travel frequently for work

Experience:1-5 yearsSolarSpaceSemiconductorsThin-film solarPhotovoltaics

Education:Bachelor's in Engineering

Skills:Problem-solvingCommunicationTeamworkAnalytical thinkingLeadership

Languages:English

Tech Stack:PVDMagnetron sputteringITOXRDSEMHall effectPythonRSQLDOESPC

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