Solar Cell Metrology R&D Technician

InvestedintheMission; 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 partner with engineering, operate lab equipment, and generate reliable metrology data. You will support DOE-driven trials and root-cause analysis to improve cell performance and yield for Starlink and Starship programs.

Responsibilities include sample prep, measurement execution (I-V, PL/EL), and maintaining lab hygiene and safety while complying with SOPs and 5S standards.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency; 3+ years in metrology or materials characterization in semiconductor or PV lab/manufacturing environment.
• Experience handling hazardous chemicals safely and following lab safety protocols.
• Preferred: Bachelor's or Associate's in STEM; 5+ years in semiconductor, solar, or materials characterization labs.

Responsibilities

• Partner with engineering to bring online solar cell metrology and materials characterization testing of insourced cells.
• Execute 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; sectioning, polishing, coating, chemical processing as required.
• Drive equipment setup, calibration, troubleshooting, maintenance, and tool matching for accurate, repeatable data.
• Collect, organize, and report data to support DOEs, process trials, and root cause analysis of performance and yield issues.
• Support failure analysis for underperforming or failed cells; flag anomalies and preserve evidence.

Skills

Metrology

Materials characterization

Data collection

Statistical analysis

Lab safety

Communication

Troubleshooting

Team coordination

Education

Bachelor's or Associate's degree in STEM

High school diploma or equivalency

Tools

Solar simulators

I-V testers

PL/EL imaging

Lifetime testers

Optical microscopes

SEM

Ellipsometers

Spectrophotometers

Four-point probes

LIMS

Job description

SpaceX is seeking a Materials R&D Technician for solar cell characterization to partner with engineering, operate lab equipment, and generate reliable metrology data. You will support DOE-driven trials and root-cause analysis to improve cell performance and yield for Starlink and Starship programs.

Responsibilities include sample prep, measurement execution (I-V, PL/EL), and maintaining lab hygiene and safety while complying with SOPs and 5S standards.