Senior Solar Cell Device Physics Engineer (SHJ)

Spacex; United States; Remote; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Sr. Device Physics Engineer, Solar Cells (Starlink) to lead end-to-end SHJ solar cell efficiency initiatives, from ingot growth to module fabrication.

You will define wafer specs, design space-optimized architectures, and establish metrology and reliability frameworks for high-volume production in support of Starlink and Starship programs. The role requires strong PV physics background, device modeling skills, and experience with PV metrology tools, reliability testing, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field.
• 5+ years in chemical engineering design, analysis, or system implementation.
• Strong PV metrology and reliability testing experience.
• Experience with PV cell physics and device integration is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end cell efficiency roadmap across all fabrication steps.
• Define wafer specifications for SHJ compatibility and tens of GW-scale volumes.
• Design SHJ cell architectures for space applications, including radiation tolerance and thermal cycling.
• Develop fab-wide metrology strategy and inline/outside tool calibration.
• Lead reliability engineering with accelerated life testing and ECSS/AEC-Q qualification protocols.
• Build physics-based models for loss analysis and DoE guidance.
• Mentor PV physics to cross-functional design reviews for spacecraft power systems.

Skills

PV physics

Device modeling

Process integration

Python scripting

Vacuum systems

Thin-film metrology

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree or PhD (preferred)

Tools

Sinton lifetime tester

EL/PL tools

SIMTRA sputtering

SEM

Raman

Ellipsometry

Job description

SpaceX is seeking a Sr. Device Physics Engineer, Solar Cells (Starlink) to lead end-to-end SHJ solar cell efficiency initiatives, from ingot growth to module fabrication.

You will define wafer specs, design space-optimized architectures, and establish metrology and reliability frameworks for high-volume production in support of Starlink and Starship programs. The role requires strong PV physics background, device modeling skills, and experience with PV metrology tools, reliability testing, and