Senior Spacecraft Solar Array Engineer

Jobtailor

California (MO)

On-site

USD 120,000 - 190,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Jobtailor seeks a seasoned space photovoltaic engineer to own end-to-end design of space-grade solar assemblies from concept to flight-ready hardware. You will lead requirements, interfaces, and design trades for high-voltage bus architectures and panel construction.

Responsibilities include performance characterization across illumination and thermal environments, leading reviews with suppliers and customers, and guiding production transition with manufacturing and supply chain teams.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or Materials Science Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field.
5+ years of direct hands-on experience in solar panel or photovoltaic assembly development.
At least 3 years of experience in space applications.
Experience designing, specifying, procuring, and testing space-grade solar panels.
Experience with photovoltaic cell selection, panel construction, and adhesive systems.
Familiarity with solar panel design standards and test methods such as AIAA S-112.
Knowledge of vacuum, radiation, UV exposure, and thermal cycling effects on solar panels.
Experience with spacecraft high-voltage design above 50V.
Experience defining solar array interfaces and integrating with spacecraft power bus architectures.
Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted refugee or person granted asylum.
Preferred: advanced graduate degree in a relevant field
Preferred: 8 or more years of solar panel development experience, including 5 or more years in space applications
Preferred: proficiency with Creo, Ansys, MATLAB/Simulink, Simscape, or STK
Preferred: experience with high-voltage or dual-voltage power bus architectures
Preferred: familiarity with I-V curve characterization equipment and solar array simulators
Preferred: experience with supplier and contract-manufacturer DFM/DFA optimization, quality, and production transition
Strong written and verbal technical communication skills
Ability to author specifications, test plans, and analysis reports independently

Responsibilities

Own the full design and development of space-grade photovoltaic assemblies from concept through flight-qualified, production-ready hardware.
Derive and maintain solar array requirements, interface control documents, and design specifications.
Lead design trade studies for solar array architecture, cell selection, panel construction, and high-voltage bus compatibility.
Characterize solar array electrical and optical performance across illumination angles, temperature ranges, and space-environment conditions.
Lead internal design reviews and participate in supplier and customer reviews.
Define and support component-level and system-level test programs.
Serve as the subject matter expert for solar array vehicle integration.
Lead troubleshooting and anomaly resolution during integration and acceptance testing.
Communicate development status, risks, and challenges to program leadership and stakeholders.
Collaborate with manufacturing operations and supply chain on production transition and rate manufacturing.
Own and maintain drawings, BOMs, specifications, and analysis reports in the configuration management system.

Skills

Solar panel development

Space applications

High-voltage design

Technical communication

DFM/DFA optimization

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Advanced graduate degree preferred

Tools

Creo

Ansys

MATLAB/Simulink

Simscape

STK

Job description

Own the full design and development of space-grade photovoltaic assemblies from concept through flight-qualified, production-ready hardware
Derive and maintain solar array requirements, interface control documents, and design specifications
Lead design trade studies for solar array architecture, cell selection, panel construction, and high-voltage bus compatibility
Characterize solar array electrical and optical performance across illumination angles, temperature ranges, and space-environment conditions
Lead internal design reviews and participate in supplier and customer reviews
Define and support component-level and system-level test programs
Serve as the subject matter expert for solar array vehicle integration
Lead troubleshooting and anomaly resolution during integration and acceptance testing
Communicate development status, risks, and challenges to program leadership and stakeholders
Collaborate with manufacturing operations and supply chain on production transition and rate manufacturing
Own and maintain drawings, BOMs, specifications, and analysis reports in the configuration management system

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or Materials Science Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field
5 or more years of direct hands-on experience in solar panel or photovoltaic assembly development
At least 3 years of experience in space applications
Experience designing, specifying, procuring, and testing space-grade solar panels
Experience with photovoltaic cell selection, panel construction, and adhesive systems
Familiarity with solar panel design standards and test methods such as AIAA S-112
Knowledge of vacuum, radiation, UV exposure, and thermal cycling effects on solar panels
Experience with spacecraft high-voltage design above 50V
Experience defining solar array interfaces and integrating with spacecraft power bus architectures
Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted refugee or person granted asylum
Preferred: advanced graduate degree in a relevant field
Preferred: 8 or more years of solar panel development experience, including 5 or more years in space applications
Preferred: proficiency with Creo, Ansys, MATLAB/Simulink, Simscape, or STK
Preferred: experience with high-voltage or dual-voltage power bus architectures
Preferred: familiarity with I-V curve characterization equipment and solar array simulators
Preferred: experience with supplier and contract-manufacturer DFM/DFA optimization, quality, and production transition
Strong written and verbal technical communication skills
Ability to author specifications, test plans, and analysis reports independently

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in the design and development of space-grade photovoltaic assemblies, including solar array requirements, testing, and integration with spacecraft power systems. Proficient in leading design reviews, troubleshooting, and communicating technical information effectively to stakeholders.

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