Solar Cell Metrology Engineer: Drive High-Efficiency PV

InvestedintheMission; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Materials Engineer for solar cell characterization to own offline metrology and materials analysis. You will build measurement capabilities, translate data into root causes, and partner with process, production, and quality teams to implement durable fixes.

Strong applicants will anchor decisions in first principles and drive improvements with urgency. You will work on insourced solar cells, including I-V, QE, and lifetime measurements, with a focus on reliability, yield, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in materials science/engineering or related.
• 1+ years in materials characterization or PV metrology.
• Master's or PhD preferred.
• Hands-on PV device/metrology experience.
• Proficiency with I-V, Suns-Voc, EQE/IQE, PL/EL.
• Experience with SEM-EDS, XRD, XPS, FTIR, or similar.
• Ability to lead root-cause analysis and DOE.
• Strong data-analysis skills (Python, MATLAB).

Responsibilities

• Own characterization and metrology strategy for insourced solar cells across cell interfaces.
• Build and maintain offline electrical, optical, and materials characterization techniques to quantify performance, reliability, and yield.
• Lead root cause analysis for performance and yield excursions: design experiments and drive corrective actions to first principles.
• Define measurement requirements, sampling plans, gauge R&R, calibration, and acceptance criteria with cross-functional teams.
• Stand up and develop processes for offline metrology equipment; ensure data integrity for process decisions.
• Translate characterization results into material/process improvements to improve efficiency and manufacturability.
• Partner with process engineering on DOEs and golden-line development; provide rapid feedback loops.
• Document methods, specifications, FA reports, and communicate status to leadership.

Skills

First-principles problem solving

Root cause analysis

Data analysis

Communication skills

Travel up to 25%

Education

Bachelor's degree in materials science/engineering or related

Master's degree or PhD in related field

Tools

I-V characterization

Suns-Voc

EQE/IQE

Photoluminescence

Electroluminescence

Minority-carrier lifetime (QSSPC/PL)

Ellipsometry

Four-point probe

Optical inspection

SEM-EDS

FIB cross-sectioning

AFM

XRD

XPS

SIMS

ICP-MS

Job description

SpaceX is seeking a Materials Engineer for solar cell characterization to own offline metrology and materials analysis. You will build measurement capabilities, translate data into root causes, and partner with process, production, and quality teams to implement durable fixes.

Strong applicants will anchor decisions in first principles and drive improvements with urgency. You will work on insourced solar cells, including I-V, QE, and lifetime measurements, with a focus on reliability, yield, and