Senior R&D Technician – Space PV Prototyping

Tandem PV, Inc.; Iowa (LA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Tandem PV, Inc. is expanding its team to build prototype solar devices for spacecraft on ultrathin and flexible substrates.

You will prepare substrates, run deposition and patterning tools, laminate covers, and meticulously document results for development campaigns. You will work with engineers and technicians, following fixed recipes, logging detailed run data, and ensuring high-quality samples for external tests.

Qualifications

• Steady hands and patience for delicate manual work.
• Meticulous documentation: detailed, legible and consistent notes of processing conditions.
• Follows written procedures exactly, and speaks up when a procedure does not match what is actually in front of you.
• Problem-solving orientation and the ability to work autonomously once trained, as part of a team in a scientific or technical environment.
• Adaptability across a wide range of laboratory tasks and willingness to learn new concepts, tools and measurements.
• Comfortable with basic laboratory arithmetic, unit conversion, and reading a specification or drawing.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, including working in a cleanroom environment while wearing required PPE and gowning; working on your feet for extended periods as required by laboratory activities; occasionally lifting, carrying, or moving materials weighing up to approximately 25 pounds; and safely working in laboratory and manufacturing environments where solvents, chemicals, and Class 4 laser systems may be present.
• Employees will be required to follow applicable safety procedures and complete required safety training.

Responsibilities

• Prepare substrates, load deposition and patterning tools, and measure results.
• Log substrates, inventory materials, and maintain run logs and travelers.
• Set up and run laser patterning steps; inspect with microscope and measure isolation.
• Laminate thin cover materials and inspect for voids and edge-seal quality.
• Perform routine metrology: sheet-resistance mapping, transmittance, profilometry, optical microscopy, luminescence imaging and IV.
• Keep run logs and per-part travelers and prepare/ship sample batches to external test partners.
• Build, label, mount and wire coupon sets for test campaigns and exposure chambers; monitor tool drift.
• Maintain tools and perform routine care and include early warning when drift detected.

Skills

Steady hands

Meticulous documentation

Follows procedures

Problem solving

Autonomy

Adaptability

Arithmetic/logical thinking

Safety awareness

Tools

Sputter/evaporation equipment

Laser patterning tools

Lamination tools

Metrology instruments

Job description

Tandem PV, Inc. is expanding its team to build prototype solar devices for spacecraft on ultrathin and flexible substrates.

You will prepare substrates, run deposition and patterning tools, laminate covers, and meticulously document results for development campaigns. You will work with engineers and technicians, following fixed recipes, logging detailed run data, and ensuring high-quality samples for external tests.