R69163 Engineer III - Materials & Process - Solar Modules

Blue Origin; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 111,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation provided

Travel up to 15%

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking a Materials/Process Engineer to design, qualify, and scale photovoltaic manufacturing for space-grade solar modules. You will work across R&D-to-production, ensuring clean transfer of processes and reliable qualification for aerospace power systems.

Responsibilities include collaborating with design and manufacturing teams, developing process controls, and documenting data to support tech transfer while meeting aerospace quality standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a materials/engineering field is required.
• Experience with semiconductor, optoelectronic, or photovoltaic devices is required.
• Expertise in adhesive characterization, bonding/lamination, encapsulation, solar cell stringing, coatings, or composites is valued.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and qualify manufacturing processes for solar module fabrication: cell stringing, encapsulation, lamination, and interconnects.
• Develop and implement process controls and first-article qualification plans for prototype to production.
• Identify and solve materials/process challenges from lab-scale to high-rate production.
• Support integration of photovoltaic cells into solar module systems for aerospace power.Coordinate with module design, systems engineering, and manufacturing for cell-to-module integration.
• Document experimental data and support technology transfer following aerospace quality standards.

Skills

Semiconductor devices

Photovoltaics

Encapsulation

Bonding & lamination

Coatings

Education

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

Job description

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 part of a hardworking team of specialists, technicians, and engineers (use as appropriate), you will 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 thedevelopment-to-productioncontinuum, 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
• Experience 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
• Interest or experience in emerging thin-film photovoltaic technologies as applied to flexible space power systems
• Knowledge of photovoltaic device physics and performance characterization

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, or Physics with 7+ years of experience, or Master's degree with 9+ 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
• 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
• 5+ years of experience in a manufacturing, fabrication, or laboratory environment
• Familiarity with the space environment and its effect on materials

Base Pay Range For

CO applicants is $110,938.00 - $155,312.85

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

• Required for all positions: Blue’s Standard Background Check
• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation
• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification (obtained before onboarding), Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing, vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.
• Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical

Benefits

• Benefits include: Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.
• Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
• Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.
• Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on “Know Your Rights,” please see here.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

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