R&D Process Technician - Swing Shift

Stanford Climate Ventures; San Carlos, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare premium coverage

401(k) matching

Commuter benefits

Meaningful equity

Conference & course support

Job summary

Swift Solar is seeking an R&D Process Technician for the swing shift to join the device research team, conducting experiments to improve thin-film solar cells and keeping the lab running smoothly.

You will operate deposition and characterization systems, record results, and help maintain equipment. The role offers growth in a fast-paced, early-stage startup with opportunities to shape Swift's technical direction and culture.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of hands-on technician experience in a technical lab setting.
• Ability to follow complex, varying instructions from scientists and engineers.
• Experience handling small, delicate samples with care.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proactive, independent worker who manages time effectively.
• Growth-minded and coachable; open to feedback.
• Comfort in a rapidly changing startup environment.

Responsibilities

• Run thin-film deposition and characterization systems.
• Take organized notes and report results clearly.
• Help build and maintain lab equipment and facilities.
• Assist in hiring, mentoring, and setting technical direction as the team grows.

Skills

Lab technician experience

Attention to detail

Sample handling

Effective communication

Proactiveness

Growth mindset

Adaptability

Startup experience

Independent work

Tools

Python

R

Igor

Origin

JMP

Multimeter

Oscilloscope

Gloveboxes

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 tools
• Operating 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, and your perspective at Swift. We’ll support you in attending conferences and taking online courses, as long as you share your new insights with the team.

Swift is an equal opportunity employer. We value an inclusive work environment and welcome team members of all backgrounds and perspectives.