PV Design Engineer

Espace; Arlington (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Espace is seeking a skilled PV Design Engineer in Arlington, TX to design, optimize, and analyze photovoltaic modules and electrical architectures for space applications. The role involves working on module layouts, interconnection strategies, and performance prediction under harsh conditions.

The ideal candidate has a degree in Electrical Engineering or related fields, with at least 5 years of experience in aerospace applications, and a strong understanding of module electrical architectures.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience designing or analyzing photovoltaic systems for aerospace or harsh-environment applications.
• Strong understanding of photovoltaic device behavior and module electrical architecture.
• Experience analyzing degradation mechanisms and long-term performance data.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize photovoltaic module layouts and interconnection architectures.
• Define electrical configurations based on power and mission requirements.
• Analyze module performance using IV curves and efficiency data.

Skills

Photovoltaic device behavior

Module electrical architecture

System integration

IV curve analysis

Reliability analysis

Environmental effects understanding

Education

BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Science or related field

Job description

We are seeking a skilled and detail‑oriented PV Design Engineer to be responsible for the design, optimization, and analysis of photovoltaic modules and electrical architectures for space applications.

This role focuses on module layout, electrical interconnection strategies, degradation analysis, environmental robustness, and long‑term performance prediction under harsh operating conditions including radiation exposure, thermal cycling, vacuum, and UV exposure.

This engineer will work closely with process, manufacturing, and systems teams to ensure photovoltaic products meet mission performance, reliability, and integration requirements.

This is a full time, exempt position, based out of our Arlington, TX office.

E-Space is not currently able to provide employment sponsorship for candidates who do not hold work authorization for the location of this role.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize photovoltaic module layouts, including series and parallel interconnection architectures.
• Define electrical configurations based on power, voltage, redundancy, and mission requirements.
• Analyze module performance using IV curves, efficiency data, degradation data, and environmental test results.
• Study and evaluate degradation mechanisms caused by radiation, UV exposure, thermal cycling, vacuum exposure, and mechanical stress.
• Support design decisions using modeling, experimental data, and reliability analysis.
• Design systems that are manufacturable and scalable.
• Develop qualification and validation activities for harsh‑environment and aerospace applications.
• Work on tools, models, and simulations for long‑term performance prediction and power generation estimation.
• Define design rules, electrical margins, and failure mitigation strategies for PV assemblies.
• Support root‑cause analysis related to electrical performance or reliability degradation.
• Document design assumptions, performance calculations, and engineering decisions.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Science, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience designing or analyzing photovoltaic systems for aerospace, satellite, or harsh‑environment applications.
• Strong understanding of photovoltaic device behavior, module electrical architecture, and system integration.
• Experience analyzing IV curves, degradation mechanisms, and long‑term performance data.
• Understanding of environmental effects on photovoltaic systems including radiation, thermal cycling, and UV exposure.
• Experience working with engineering data, simulations, and reliability analysis.
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary engineering and manufacturing environments.
• Experience with space or satellite photovoltaic systems.
• Experience supporting qualifications or validation for aerospace applications.
• Knowledge of radiation effects on photovoltaic materials and devices.