Solar Cell Manufacturing Engineer - Ramp & Yield Leader

SpaceX; Lockhart (TX); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX in Texas is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer for Solar Cells to own production processes and equipment for Starlink solar cell manufacturing. You will drive the line from pilot to full-rate production and liaise with engineering and factory teams to ensure yield, uptime, and cost targets are achieved.

The role emphasizes hands-on process development, data-driven improvements, and cross-functional collaboration in a fast-paced environment, with ITAR compliance and safety.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
• 1+ years of experience designing, building, manufacturing, or testing hardware (internship experience is applicable).
• Demonstrated experience in high-volume or medium-volume manufacturing environments such as solar, semiconductor, consumer electronics, automotive, or industrial equipment.
• Familiarity with electronics or solar cell manufacturing processes, cleanroom operations, and handling of fragile substrates and process materials.
• Programming and automation skills, such as Python, MATLAB, or PLC programming, for factory automation, data analysis, and yield improvement.
• Strong problem-solving abilities, including root cause analysis (8D or fishbone) and FMEA.
• Experience with quality systems, SPC, and process capability to hold yield and reliability in high-volume production.

Responsibilities

• Design, commission, and qualify production processes and equipment for solar cell manufacturing, from pilot builds through full-rate production.
• Lead the production ramp by working through multi-disciplinary issues to hit volume, yield, and cost targets.
• Drive yield, uptime, and rate improvements to hit program targets (OEE).
• Lead prototype and engineering builds, ensuring incremental milestones for production development are met.
• Provide feedback to the design and process teams to improve design for manufacturability and process robustness.
• Collaborate with equipment engineering, supply chain, production technicians, and quality to keep processes stable and solve production problems quickly.
• Identify and establish requirements for automation opportunities, and evaluate them for return on investment.
• Manage work instructions, process documentation, and training for owned processes.
• Drive corrective actions, root cause analysis, and process improvements on owned processes and products.
• Use process and equipment data to find bottlenecks, cut scrap, and put preventive actions in place that protect rate and yield.

Skills

CAD software

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

Python programming

PLC programming

Root cause analysis

SPC

Automation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

Siemens NX

SolidWorks

Job description

SpaceX in Texas is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer for Solar Cells to own production processes and equipment for Starlink solar cell manufacturing. You will drive the line from pilot to full-rate production and liaise with engineering and factory teams to ensure yield, uptime, and cost targets are achieved.

The role emphasizes hands-on process development, data-driven improvements, and cross-functional collaboration in a fast-paced environment, with ITAR compliance and safety.