Solar Cell Materials R&D Technician – Metrology

Spacex; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Materials R&D Technician for solar cell characterization to support Starlink manufacturing. You will work with engineering to stand up lab equipment, execute metrology and characterization tests, and ensure data quality for process development and yield improvement.

The role involves hands-on operation of solar cell characterization tools, data collection, safety compliance, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to drive cell performance and scalability for Starlink

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency
• 3+ years hands-on experience in metrology, materials characterization, semiconductor, or PV lab/manufacturing
• Experience handling hazardous chemicals safely
• US ITAR eligibility or ability to obtain necessary authorizations
• Bachelor’s/Associate degree in STEM preferred (for seniority)
• Experience operating and maintaining characterization equipment in a lab environment

Responsibilities

• Partner with engineering to bring online solar cell metrology and materials characterization testing
• Perform electrical, optical, and materials measurements on wafers and solar cells (I-V, PL/EL imaging, lifetime, optical inspection, microscopy)
• Prepare samples for characterization and failure analysis
• Lead equipment setup, calibration, maintenance, and tool matching for accurate data
• Collect, organize, and report data to support DOEs, process trials, and root cause analysis
• Support failure analysis for underperforming cells and flag anomalies
• Maintain safety protocols and 5S/cleanroom standards
• Train technicians on metrology methods as processes transfer to manufacturing

Skills

Communication skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Prioritization

Independent work

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or Associate's degree in STEM

Tools

Solar simulators

I-V testers

PL/EL imaging

Lifetime testers

Optical microscopes

SEM

Ellipsometers

Spectrophotometers

Four-point probes

Job description

SpaceX is seeking a Materials R&D Technician for solar cell characterization to support Starlink manufacturing. You will work with engineering to stand up lab equipment, execute metrology and characterization tests, and ensure data quality for process development and yield improvement.

The role involves hands-on operation of solar cell characterization tools, data collection, safety compliance, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to drive cell performance and scalability for Starlink