Principal Solar Process Engineer (Starlink)

Future Ventures; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Principal Solar Process Engineer, Solar Cells (STARLINK), to lead PVD processes for SHJ cells, optimize deposition of ITO and thin films, and drive scaling for space-grade solar production.

You will own equipment qualification, DOE-driven experiments, and cross‑functional collaboration to achieve high efficiency, low defects, and cost-effective manufacturing for Starlink satellites and Starship missions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
• 10+ years in chemical engineering design or similar.
• Experience scaling PVD processes to >1GW/year.
• Ability to travel frequently.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize PVD sputtering processes.
• Lead toolset development and deposition rate optimization.
• Develop and maintain new manufacturing processes.
• Analyze production processes from first principles.
• Prepare technical design reviews and cost analyses.
• Own machine activation and testing with a small team.

Skills

PVD process engineering

Vacuum systems

DOE & statistics

Lean manufacturing

Data analysis (Python)

Cross-functional teamwork

Photovoltaics

SHJ/LAB scale

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

10+ years experience

Tools

PVD equipment hardware

ITO deposition

SPC

SEM/TEM analysis

XRD analysis

DOE software

Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

PRINCIPAL SOLAR PROCESS ENGINEER, SOLAR CELLS (STARLINK)

Starlink believes in providing fast, reliable internet to those that need it most. We design, build, and launch the world's largest and most advanced satellite constellation that is capable of delivering high-speed internet to even the most remote locations.

As a Principal Solar Process Engineer, you will spearhead state of the art production processes for an internal solar cell production line, providing high efficiency and high-quality solar cells for both our latest generation Starlink satellites and for Starship missions to the Moon and Mars. You will work through the life cycle of setting up a greenfield solar cell production plant, including equipment procurement, plant design/layout, equipment commissioning and ramp‑up, recipe and process development, and working to develop a world‑class production team and environment.

You will own the development, optimization, and scaling of Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) processes critical for depositing transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layers, such as ITO, and other thin films essential to high‑efficiency SHJ cell performance. You will develop and iterate on the manufacturing processes and recipes to achieve a state‑of‑the‑art silicon cell efficiency, low defect rate and cost, and high reliability cell for space‑based applications. Your work will form the backbone of the Starlink network (photons of sunlight in is directly proportional to photons of data out to customers!) and help provide internet to tens of millions of customers all around the world.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design, qualify, and optimize PVD sputtering processes (e.g., DC/RF magnetron sputtering) for SHJ front and back contacts, ensuring uniformity, adhesion, resistivity, and optical transmission at GW-scale volumes
• Lead process development for new toolsets and materials, including target management, deposition rate optimization, and defect reduction to support state-of-the-art efficiency cells
• Responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining new and/or improved manufacturing processes, equipment, technologies, and facilities
• Analyze production processes and machinery from a first principles, physics-based approach
• Develop experiments to diagnose and correct manufacturing problems, utilizing robust DOE and statistical methodologies
• Optimize process conditions and materials to improve the optical and electrical quality of solar cells
• Perform defect characterization and analysis to determine root cause and develop action plans to improve yields
• Develop project plans, budgets, and cost/benefit analysis for implementation of new processes or machines
• Own and perform machine activation and testing with a small team of engineers and technicians
• Prepare detailed content for technical design reviews, and demonstrate extreme ownership of the production outcome of the Starlink solar factory across yield, uptime, and cost

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• 10+ years of experience in chemical engineering design, analysis, and/or system implementation

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, environmental, or other STEM discipline
• 10+ years of hands‑on experience in PVD process engineering, preferably in thin‑film solar (SHJ, PERC, or CIGS), semiconductor, or display manufacturing
• Proven track record of scaling PVD processes to high-volume production (>1GW/year equivalent)
• Strong understanding of vacuum systems, plasma physics, sputtering dynamics, and thin-film characterization techniques (e.g., XRD, SEM, Hall effect)
• Experience with SPC, DoE, and lean manufacturing principles
• Ability to work in a cleanroom environment.
• Hands‑on experience working with complex fluid or mechanical based production systems in a professional setting
• Experience transitioning products from design to manufacturing and scaling to high volume as part of a cross‑functional team
• Self‑motivated with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills
• Experience with solar cell manufacturing equipment, such as wet chemical processing equipment, PE‑CVD equipment, PVD machines, metallization and final test equipment, and wafer inspection equipment (experience in evaporation tools and ALD tools are a plus)
• Experience or expertise with perovskite solar cells or perovskite tandem solar cells
• Experience with micro‑structure analysis tools (SEM, TEM, EDX, SIMS, etc.) and optical/electrical characterization tools (UV‑VIS, I‑V, Resistance, etc.)
• Expertise in SHJ‑specific PVD processes, including low‑temperature ITO deposition for bifacial cells
• Familiarity with advanced PVD tools and automation/integration for inline production
• Proficiency in data analysis/scripting (Python, R, SQL) and simulation tools (e.g., SIMTRA for sputtering).
• Experience in cost‑of‑ownership modeling, CapEx justification, and fab ramp‑ups to multi‑GW scales
• Passion for sustainable energy and space technology; prior work in photovoltaics at GW-scale a plus

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to travel frequently for work, potentially for extended periods of time during machine buyoffs and startup
• Ability to lift 25 lbs. unassisted
• Lifting, standing, climbing, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying are generally required to perform the functions of this position
• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed

ITAR REQUIREMENTS

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s affirmative action plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].