2026 Space Photovoltaics Engineer/Scientist

aero; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Education assistance programs

401(k) plan

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo, CA, seeks a Senior Member of Technical Staff to lead development and evaluation of next-generation solar cell and solar array technologies for national security space missions.

You will design experiments, develop characterization capabilities, and apply data analysis tools while collaborating with industry partners and program offices to ensure mission success.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. degree in physics, electrical engineering, materials science, chemistry, or a related field (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months).
• 0–1 year industry experience; ability to independently plan and conduct research.
• Experience with photovoltaics characterization techniques (e.g., quantum efficiency, IV, luminescence) through academic research.
• Proficiency with data analysis tools (Python, MATLAB, Origin).
• Willing to travel occasionally (about 10%) and ability to obtain security clearance; U.S. citizenship required.
• Transcripts provided.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead experiments in evaluating next-gen solar cell and solar array technology for national security space programs.
• Develop and enhance characterization capabilities for advanced photovoltaic technologies.
• Create test and measurement capabilities to characterize photovoltaic devices.
• Support data management, software analysis, and computational modeling.
• Communicate findings through presentations, reports, and publications; engage with colleagues and customers.

Skills

Python

MATLAB

Origin

Data analysis

Education

Ph.D. in physics / electrical engineering / materials science / chemistry (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months)

Tools

LabVIEW

Arduino

C++

Python

Job description

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

Physical Sciences Laboratories (PSL) support the effective and timely development and operation of national security systems through scientific research and the application of advanced technologies. PSL has more than 150 specialized laboratories used to test, analyze, and troubleshoot virtually every aspect of rocket and satellite system design, development, construction, deployment, and operation. The expertise of the laboratories’ technical staff allows PSL to stay abreast of new technological developments and program support issues associated with rapidly evolving space systems.

The Energy Technology Department (ETD) in PSL provides expert technical assistance for space solar cell and solar array technology used on a broad range of spacecrafts and leads the community by conducting basic and applied research in characterizing photovoltaic devices and understanding how they degrade in the space environment. Our advanced characterization techniques and dedication to precision and accuracy support our national security and civil and commercial space customers with reliable data to predict the performance and degradation of their solar arrays in the harsh environment of space.

As a Senior Member of Technical Staff, you will be responsible for leading efforts to develop techniques, tools, capabilities, and prototypes for evaluating and assessing next generation spacecraft solar cell and solar array technology for national security space programs. You will collaborate with industry partners and program offices to ensure the success of critical space missions by evaluating and understanding the relevant properties of different components of the solar array and how they degrade in the relevant space environment.

Highlights of our lab’s capabilities can be seen here: Virtual Tour

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA.

What You’ll Be Doing

You will be supporting the development and characterization of advanced solar array technologies for national space missions:

• Design and perform experiments impacting the direction of space photovoltaic and solar array technology, applying independent judgment in the selection and adaptation of techniques.
• Support design and development of industry-leading characterization capabilities for advanced space photovoltaic technologies.
• Apply technical knowledge to develop test and measurement capabilities to characterize photovoltaic devices.
• Contribute to data management, software analysis, and computational modeling tools.
• Communicate technical findings through presentations, reports, and publications to colleagues, management, and the broader scientific community.
• Devise new experimental approaches and engage in inter-organizational and outside customer contacts on technical matters.

What Corporate Skills You’ll Bring

• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Must work well in a team environment
• Possess organizational, time management and project management skills
• Demonstrate flexibility and ability to adapt to changing organizational need
• Interpersonal skills to coordinate efforts and work with other internal and external organizations

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the Senior Member of Technical Staff

• Ph.D. degree from an accredited college/university program in physics, electrical engineering, materials science, chemistry, or a related discipline (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months)
• 0-1 year industry experience
• Demonstrated ability to independently plan and conduct research, applying judgment in technique selection and adaptation.
• Experience with photovoltaics characterization techniques (e.g., quantum efficiency, IV measurements, luminescence, or related methods) through academic research.
• Experience operating laboratory instrumentation relevant to photovoltaics characterization.
• Proficient with common data analysis tools (e.g., Python, MATLAB, Origin).
• Demonstrated ability to devise new experimental approaches and solve novel technical problems.
• Evidence of technical communication skills through publications, presentations, or dissertation work.
• Willing to travel occasionally (approximately 10%) to customer sites or professional conferences.
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
• Transcripts

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Experience investigating radiation and space environmental effects in photovoltaic materials such as Si, III-V, perovskites, CdTe, CIGS, or other power generation technologies.
• Developed advanced characterization techniques that provided deeper understanding of how energy generation systems perform and degrade.
• Demonstrated experience developing laboratory test capabilities through hardware/software integration (LabVIEW, Python, C++, Arduino).
• Developed software implementing new methods or models to better examine and understand photovoltaic or other energy generation systems.
• Experience with common database tools such as MongoDB, InfluxDB, PostgreSQL, or S3.
• Experience with on-orbit telemetry analysis and data processing.
• Hands‑on experience in solar array or solar cell manufacturing and production.
• Exposure to data analysis or basic AI/ML techniques (e.g., Python‑based scripts or open‑source libraries) through coursework, academic projects, or early research experience, with interest in applying these to device characterization or test data.

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.

$120,000.00 - $140,000.00 Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

• Operate Strategically
• Lead Change
• Engage with Impact
• Foster Innovation
• Deliver Results

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type. A few highlights include:

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
• 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
• Flexible spending accounts
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
• Relocation assistance
• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
• Education assistance programs
• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at [e-mail]. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.