Photovoltaics Engineer

Aquila Space Technologies; Sydney; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Aquila Space Technologies in Sydney, Australia, is seeking a Photovoltaics Engineer to advance PV and optoelectronic device development across R&D and system integration.

You will build test rigs, run automated measurements, analyze data, and collaborate with optics and thermal teams to improve conversion efficiency and reliability.

Qualifications

• Strong background in photovoltaics or optoelectronic device engineering.
• Experience designing and executing PV test systems (I-V, EL/PL, spectral response) and environmental testing.
• Familiarity with CPV and thermal management under optical loading.
• Solid understanding of electrical systems (DC/AC) and power conversion.
• Experience with LabVIEW, Python, and MATLAB for data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Own the design, fabrication, and setup of custom test rigs for photovoltaic technology evaluation.
• Develop control, automation, and data acquisition processes to assess PV performance under dynamic optical conditions.
• Design test protocols for accelerated ageing, laser‑induced degradation, and thermal performance analysis.
• Extract key metrics from test data to guide device and system improvements.
• Support integration of PV receivers into wireless power transmission systems and validate prototypes.
• Maintain documentation of test configurations, results, and design iterations.

Skills

Photovoltaics

PV testing

I-V testing

EL/PL

Spectral response

Data analysis

LabVIEW

Python

MATLAB

In-lab troubleshooting

Tools

LabVIEW

Python

MATLAB

Job description

About Aquila

Aquila is a deep-tech company developing next-generation wireless power transmission systems that deliver energy through light. Our team combines expertise in photonics, power electronics, and advanced materials to build the foundation of a new energy category — one that enables continuous power for autonomous systems and remote infrastructure.

The Role

Aquila is seeking a skilled **Photovoltaics Engineer** with a strong background in photovoltaic (PV) and optoelectronic device development. This is a hands‑on, end‑to‑end role, from R&D and materials testing to system integration, working at the intersection of high‑efficiency photovoltaics and laser energy systems.

You’ll be part of a small, fast‑moving engineering team building and characterising high‑performance optical‑to‑electrical converters for real‑world wireless power applications. The ideal candidate is technically rigorous, resourceful, and thrives in a setting where innovation and execution are equally valued.

What You’ll Do

Design and Build

• Own the design, fabrication, and setup of custom test rigs and systems for photovoltaic technology evaluation and characterisation.


• Develop and implement control, automation, and data acquisition processes to assess PV system performance under dynamic optical conditions.


• Design test protocols for accelerated ageing, laser‑induced degradation, and thermal performance analysis.

Analyse and Optimise

• Extract key performance metrics from test data, including efficiency, spectral response, and temperature behaviour, to guide device and system improvements.


• Conduct detailed failure analysis of III‑V and hybrid multijunction PV cells under concentrated illumination and laser exposure.


• Collaborate with optics and thermal engineers to model system‑level performance and refine optical‑to‑electrical conversion efficiency.

Integrate and Validate

• Support integration of PV receivers into wireless power transmission systems, ensuring electrical, optical, and thermal compatibility.


• Validate prototype systems through in‑lab and field testing, developing feedback loops to improve reliability and performance.


• Maintain detailed documentation of test configurations, results, and design iterations to enable reproducibility and team knowledge sharing.

Collaborate and Innovate

• Work closely with optical, mechanical, and control engineers to align design and testing approaches across disciplines.


• Contribute to new material and device concepts that push the boundaries of power density and conversion efficiency.


• Support early‑stage production setup and transfer of R&D learnings into scalable manufacturing processes.

What You’ll Bring

Essential

• Strong background in photovoltaics or optoelectronic device engineering, ideally including III‑V or multijunction development.


• Experience designing and executing PV test systems, including electrical characterisation (I‑V, EL/PL, spectral response) and environmental testing.


• Familiarity with high‑intensity or concentrated photovoltaics (CPV) and thermal management under optical loading.


• Solid understanding of electrical systems (DC, AC, and power conversion).


• Competence in experimental design, data analysis, and use of relevant tools (e.g. LabVIEW, Python, MATLAB).


• Hands‑on aptitude, comfortable building and troubleshooting equipment in‑lab.


• Strong analytical thinking, clear communication, and documentation discipline.

Desirable

• Knowledge of laser–material interactions and experience testing under laser or concentrated illumination.


• Exposure to automated data acquisition, image processing, or control systems.


• Previous experience in startups or small‑team environments with a focus on iteration and delivery.

Why Join Aquila

At Aquila, you’ll work on technologies that sit at the frontier of energy and photonics — alongside a small, collaborative team of engineers who design, build, and test everything in‑house. Our Marrickville facility combines R&D labs and manufacturing spaces, offering full visibility from concept to prototype. If you thrive on hard problems, precision engineering, and seeing your work power something real, this is where you’ll do your best work.

We know great candidates may not meet every listed qualification. If you’re excited by our mission and have relevant skills or experience, we encourage you to apply.

Please note: Employment at Aquila is subject to the successful completion of pre‑employment screening, including reference checks and a national police check.