R&D Process Technician - Swing Shift

swiftsolar; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) matching

Equity

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Swift Solar is seeking an R&D Process Technician in San Carlos, CA to join the device R&D team. You will run thin-film deposition and characterization systems, follow experimental designs, and help keep the lab running smoothly in a fast-paced startup.

You will document results, manage time across multiple experiments, and contribute to scalable lab operations while growing your own skills. This on-site role offers competitive pay and equity opportunities.

Qualifications

• 2+ years hands-on experience as a technician in a lab or technical setting.
• Ability to follow complex instructions from scientists and engineers.
• Experience handling small, delicate samples.
• Effective written and verbal communication.
• Proactive, independent, strong time management.
• Growth-minded and coachable in a startup environment.
• Comfort with rapid changes in a startup setting.

Responsibilities

• Run thin-film deposition and characterization systems as designed by R&D staff.
• Take organized notes and clearly report results.
• Build and maintain lab equipment and facilities.
• Collaborate with scientists/engineers and contribute to lab operations.

Skills

Lab technician

Attention to detail

Independent worker

Strong communication

Growth mindset

Startup experience

Tools

Thin-film deposition

Materials characterization

Vacuum systems

Electronic test equipment

Job description

About the company

At Swift Solar, our mission is to unlock the full potential of solar energy. We believe solar can provide affordable, reliable, resilient, clean energy to virtually anyone, anywhere. But while today's solar technology is good, it's not good enough.

Swift Solar's breakthrough perovskite-silicon tandem technology will drive solar power to commanding new heights. Our tandem cells stack a perovskite layer on top of a heterojunction (HJT) silicon cell, delivering dramatically higher efficiency than traditional silicon alone. In 2026, we acquired Meyer Burger's HJT intellectual property and manufacturing assets, giving us the world's most extensive HJT patent portfolio and a clear path to gigawatt-scale domestic production.

This vertically integrated approach means we can design, manufacture, and scale next-generation solar solutions entirely in the United States-from silicon foundations to perovskite innovations. Our technology enables applications ranging from space solar to utility-scale power generation, creating American-made solutions for a world facing growing energy challenges.

Swift Solar is on a journey to bring revolutionary clean-energy technology to market. We're in it for the long haul, with support from world-class investors. Join our extraordinary team building the cutting-edge solar technology that will power the future.

A day in the life

As an R&D Process Technician at Swift on Swift's swing shift, you will be a core member of the device research and development team, conducting studies to help make more efficient and reliable solar cells. You will also help keep the lab running smoothly. Working at an early-stage startup, you will have the opportunity to get involved in many aspects of the company's technical development and internal operations.

In a typical day, you will run thin-film deposition and characterization systems to carry out experiments designed by Swift's R&D scientists with your input. Taking organized notes and communicating your work effectively are key parts of the job, as is managing your time to run many experiments as efficiently as possible. You will also help build and maintain lab equipment and facilities.

In our early-stage startup environment, you will help craft Swift's culture and technical direction. As our team grows, we'll expect you to help hire, mentor, and set an example for new team members. You will find many opportunities to grow your own skills and capabilities, and we encourage you to take full advantage of them.

You might be a good fit if you...

• Have 2+ years of hands-on experience working as a technician in a technical field, including time in a lab environment (any lab counts)
• Can work from complex and varying instructions given by scientists and engineers, pay careful attention to details, and report status and results back clearly
• Have experience handling small, delicate samples, and bring some craftsmanship to the way you work with your hands
• Communicate effectively and promptly, both in person and in writing
• Take initiative without prompting, work independently, and manage your own time well
• Are growth-minded and coachable - you welcome feedback and pick up new things quickly
• Are comfortable operating in a rapidly changing environment
• Are kind, empathetic, conscientious, and motivated to make an impact on climate change

A strong candidate might bring one or more of the following...

• Experience working safely and efficiently in a lab, semiconductor, R&D, or manufacturing environment
• Experience with running and optimizing thin film deposition processes
• Experience with materials characterization
• Experience with vacuum systems and gloveboxes
• Experience with multimeter, oscilloscope, and other electronic test equipment
• Experience with analyzing data using Python, R, Igor, Origin, JMP, or other software and effectively summarizing and communicating results
• A track record of suggesting and implementing improvements to routine processes you've worked on
• Comfort working in shared digital logs and collaborating through cloud-based toolsOperating experience in a startup setting

The logistics

Compensation: Competitive package including pay, equity, and benefits

Expected Pay Range: $29 - $40 per hour + 10% shift differential

Job type: Full-time, Non-exempt, On-Site

Swing Shift: 2 pm-10:30 pm

Location: San Carlos, CA (Swift Solar HQ)

What you'll love about Swift

• Work with purpose : Join our mission to unlock the full potential of solar energy and make a global impact.
• Lead with innovation : Be part of an extraordinary team building cutting-edge solar technology - growth mindset; culture
• Thrive with benefits : Have 100% of your monthly premiums for HMO / PPO group healthcare plan options and 75% of your dental and vision insurance premiums covered by us. Employees also benefit from 401(k) matching, clean commuter benefits, and meaningful equity.
• Invest in your career : You'll grow your skills, your network, a