Chemical Process Engineer

Solestial, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Medical, dental, vision coverage

PTO 15+ days

401K with match

Disability & life insurance

Space industry impact

Job summary

Solestial, Inc. seeks a Chemical Process Engineer to advance electroplating and wet chemical processes used in solar cells and modules.

The role includes maintaining copper plating operations and leading the scale-up of nickel and gold plating, collaborating with Manufacturing and Process Engineering teams. This hands-on engineer will develop, troubleshoot, and deploy new technologies, improve process capability, yield, and throughput while ensuring safe, compliant operation across manufacturing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in Chemical Engineering or related field.
• Experience with electrochemical plating and wet chemistry in manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of process development, control, and scale-up.
• Experience troubleshooting complex process and equipment issues.

Responsibilities

• Support and optimize electroplating processes for solar cell manufacturing.
• Develop, characterize, and scale nickel and gold plating processes for production.
• Maintain copper plating operations and drive continuous improvement.
• Design and execute experiments to improve process performance, yield, and reliability.
• Monitor critical process parameters and implement process controls.

Skills

Electroplating

Process development

Scale-up

Chemical engineering

Analytical thinking

Education

Chemical engineering degree

Tools

DOE methods

SPC

Wastewater treatment

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!