Chemical Process Engineer

Airbus Ventures; Tempe (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Medical, dental, vision coverage

PTO: 15 days + 5 sick + 10 holidays

401K with employer match

Disability & life insurance

Space mission impact

Job summary

Solestial seeks a Chemical Process Engineer to advance electroplating and wet chemical processes used in solar cell manufacturing. You will maintain copper plating operations while leading scale-up of nickel and gold plating, partnering with Manufacturing and Equipment Engineering to boost yield and throughput.

You will develop experiments, monitor critical parameters, analyze data, and drive continuous improvement across multiple manufacturing areas, including wastewater treatment and safety

Qualifications

• Requires a technical degree in chemical engineering or related field.
• Experience with electrochemical plating, wet chemistry, or semiconductor manufacturing processes preferred.
• Strong background in process development and scale-up for manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Support and optimize electroplating processes used in solar cell manufacturing.
• Develop, characterize, and scale new nickel and gold plating processes for production.
• Support existing copper plating operations and continuous process improvement efforts.
• Design and execute experiments to improve process performance, yield, and reliability.
• Monitor critical process parameters and implement process controls to ensure consistent results.
• Analyze process data and present findings to technical and manufacturing teams.
• Troubleshoot process excursions, yield issues, and equipment-related challenges.
• Partner with Manufacturing and Equipment Engineering teams to improve throughput and operational efficiency.
• Support installation, qualification, and ramp-up of new plating equipment and process lines.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, operating procedures, work instructions, and training materials.
• Support operation and continuous improvement of wastewater treatment systems associated with manufacturing operations.
• Train operators and manufacturing personnel on process requirements and best practices.
• Follow safety requirements and contribute to a safe, organized, and compliant manufacturing environment.

Skills

Electroplating

Process development

Process control

Data analysis

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science or related field

Job description

Solestial is pioneering the future of space-based solar power by developing advancedsolar technologies optimized for the harsh conditions of space. Our innovative, low-cost,and scalable solar arrays are engineered for next-generation satellites, spacecraft, andorbital infrastructure. We are driven by a mission to power the space economy andunlock limitless opportunities in orbit and beyond.

As a Chemical Process Engineer, you will support and develop electroplating and wet chemical processes used in the manufacturing of Solestial's solar cells and modules. This role will be responsible for maintaining existing copper plating operations while leading the development, scale-up, and deployment of new nickel and gold plating processes.

You will work closely with Manufacturing, Equipment Engineering, Process Engineering, and Product Development teams to improve process capability, yield, throughput, and reliability. This role will also support wastewater treatment systems and help ensure safe, compliant operation of chemical processes across multiple manufacturing areas.

This is a hands-on engineering role that combines process development, manufacturing support, troubleshooting, and scale-up of new technologies.

Your Mission

• Support and optimize electroplating processes used in solar cell manufacturing.
• Develop, characterize, and scale new nickel and gold plating processes for production.
• Support existing copper plating operations and continuous process improvement efforts.
• Design and execute experiments to improve process performance, yield, and reliability.
• Monitor critical process parameters and implement process controls to ensure consistent results.
• Analyze process data and present findings to technical and manufacturing teams.
• Troubleshoot process excursions, yield issues, and equipment-related challenges.
• Partner with Manufacturing and Equipment Engineering teams to improve throughput and operational efficiency.
• Support installation, qualification, and ramp-up of new plating equipment and process lines.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, operating procedures, work instructions, and training materials.
• Support operation and continuous improvement of wastewater treatment systems associated with manufacturing operations.
• Train operators and manufacturing personnel on process requirements and best practices.
• Follow safety requirements and contribute to a safe, organized, and compliant manufacturing environment.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related technical field.
• Experience working with electrochemical, electroplating, wet chemistry, semiconductor, photovoltaic, or related manufacturing processes.
• Strong understanding of process development, process control, and manufacturing scale-up.
• Experience troubleshooting complex process and equipment issues.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience analyzing process data and communicating technical findings.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Ability to work safely around chemicals and manufacturing equipment.

What Gives You an Edge

• Experience with copper, nickel, gold, or other metal plating processes.
• Experience supporting semiconductor, photovoltaic, PCB, advanced packaging, or electronics manufacturing.
• Experience with wastewater treatment systems or industrial chemical waste handling.
• Experience with statistical process control (SPC), design of experiments (DOE), and yield improvement methodologies.
• Experience transferring processes from development into manufacturing environments.
• Experience working in cleanroom or high-reliability manufacturing environments.

Our Benefits

• Competitive compensation - we want you to grow with us
• Generous, high-quality medical, dental, and vision coverage on day one of employment
• 15 vacation days, 5 sick days, and 10 paid holidays annually - with an extended holiday break at year's end
• 401K with employer match up to 4% of salary
• Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability and employer-sponsored life insurance
• Your work will literally go to space!