Engineer - Materials & Process Sr - Solar Modules

Blue Origin; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 134,000 - 187,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation provided

Travel up to 15%

Technical assessment interview

Job summary

Blue Origin in Colorado is seeking a senior engineer to design, develop and qualify manufacturing processes for solar module fabrication, from prototype to high-rate production. You will work with R&D to transition materials into production and ensure high-quality, aerospace-grade output.

This role partners with module design, systems engineering and manufacturing to enable cell-to-module integration, develop process controls and qualification plans, and document results for manufacturing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or related engineering field.
• 8+ years of experience in manufacturing, fabrication, or laboratory environment with semiconductor, optoelectronic, or photovoltaic devices.
• Expertise with adhesive characterization, bonding and lamination, encapsulation, solar cell stringing, coatings, or composites.
• Familiarity with the space environment and its effect on materials.
• U.S. citizenship or eligible to work in the U.S.; relaxation policies apply as per regulations.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and qualify manufacturing processes for solar module fabrication, including solar cell stringing processes, adhesive encapsulation, vacuum lamination, and tabbing and bussing of photovoltaic cells.
• Collaborate with R&D teams to transition novel materials and processes into production.
• Develop and implement process controls and first-article qualification plans for prototype to high-volume production.
• Identify and solve materials and process challenges across development to production continuum.
• Support integration of photovoltaic cells into solar power modules, ensuring aerospace compatibility.
• Work with module design, systems engineering, and manufacturing on cell-to-module integration and environmental testing.
• Document experimental data and support technology transfer to manufacturing.
• Contribute to culture of technical innovation, safety, and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Skills

adhesive characterization

bonding and lamination

encapsulation

solar cell stringing

coatings

composites

Education

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or related engineering field

PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, or Physics

Master's with 12+ years in space photovoltaics

Job description

Application close date:

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We're working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!

This role is part of Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering (ACE), supporting Blue Origin's mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. The team fosters innovation and drives engineering workflows of the future, shared solutions and standards, simplicity and lower costs, and manufacturable design.

As a key member of our dedicated solar array engineering team, you will develop and qualify materials and processes for photovoltaic modules - from prototype through high-rate production - directly contributing to the solar arrays powering our next-generation satellite constellation and in-space transportation vehicles.

Special Mentions

• Relocation provided
• Travel expected up to 15% of the time
• Interviews will include a technical assessment

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Design, develop, and qualify manufacturing processes for solar module fabrication, including solar cell stringing processes, adhesive encapsulation, vacuum lamination, and tabbing and bussing of photovoltaic cells
• Collaborate with R&D teams to transition novel materials and processes into production
• Develop and implement process controls and first-article qualification plans to ensure consistent, high-quality output from prototype builds through high-volume production rates
• Identify and solve materials and process challenges across the development-to-production continuum, from laboratory-scale demonstrations to a high-rate manufacturing line
• Support the integration of photovoltaic cells into solar power modules (SPMs), ensuring mechanical, electrical, and environmental compatibility for aerospace power systems
• Work closely with module design, systems engineering, and manufacturing teams on cell-to-module integration, including bonding, encapsulant, substrate adhesion, electrical interconnects, and environmental qualification testing
• Document experimental and process data thoroughly and support technology transfer activities to manufacturing, following aerospace quality and traceability requirements
• Contribute to a culture of technical innovation, process safety, and multidisciplinary collaboration within a high-performance engineering environment

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or related engineering field
• 8+ years of experience in a manufacturing, fabrication, or laboratory environmentExperience with semiconductor, optoelectronic, or photovoltaic devices
• Expertise with one or more of the following: adhesive characterization, bonding and lamination processes, encapsulation, solar cell stringing processes, coatings, or composites
• Familiarity with the space environment and its effect on materials
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, or Physics with 10+ years of experience, or Master's degree with 12+ years and space photovoltaics experience
• Direct experience with solar cell and/or panel fabrication processes
• Experience scaling photovoltaic fabrication processes from R&D or prototype into a production environment, including takt-time reduction and process capability studies
• Familiarity with testing of space-grade solar cells/panels
• Knowledge of photovoltaic device physics and performance characterization
• Familiarity with radiation effects on photovoltaic cells, coverglass, and encapsulant materials; experience with cryogenic or thermomechanical qualification of bonded assemblies is a plus
• Ability to source, design and test materials and properties for solar array improvement
• Interest or experience in emerging thin-film photovoltaic technologies as applied to flexible space power systems

Base Pay Range for:

CO applicants is $133,500.00 - $186,898.95WA applicants is $145,188.00 - $203,263.20

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement

Don't meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin, we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Export Control Regulations

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S.as a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check