Solar Manufacturing Operator (Swing Shift)

Tandem PV; Iowa; On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible PTO

Healthcare coverage

Life Insurance

Long-term & Short-term Disability

Parental leave

Meaningful equity

Job summary

Tandem PV, Inc. is seeking an entry-level operator for our Pilot Manufacturing facility to support solar panel production. You will operate Laminator tools, run material tests, and keep detailed process notes while maintaining a clean, efficient work area.

Training will be provided to learn our production methods. You’ll work with engineers and technicians, gain hands-on experience in thin-film coating and testing, and contribute to quality assurance.

Qualifications

• Must have a High school diploma or GED.
• Ability to follow work instructions and procedures.
• Proficiency with hand tools.
• Mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to stand for long periods in a fast-paced environment.
• Good attendance and communication skills.
• Willingness to perform repetitive tasks.
• Experience on a Laminator tool a plus.

Responsibilities

• Operate Laminator tool to produce solar panels.
• Run tests to evaluate material performance.
• Maintain accurate notes on results and processes.
• Keep workspace and equipment clean and organized.
• Learn from experienced teammates and grow technical skills.
• Work the shift from 1:30pm to 10pm.

Skills

Safety protocols

Quality control

Machine operation

Process monitoring

Material handling

Maintenance basics

Teamwork

Flexibility

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Laminator tool

Job description

At Tandem PV, we are a team of people who are passionate about building a more sustainable world by bringing cost effective solar panels onto the market. We’re scaling metal-halide perovskite solar technology to make best-in-class mechanically stacked tandem modules. We have built efficient, durable cells, monolithic multi-cell submodules, and packaged modules with our scalable, low-cost process. Our next focus is expanding our team to bring our product to market at scale.

What You’ll Do

You’ll be working in our Pilot Manufacturing facility alongside engineers and technicians, helping develop and refine solar panel production processes. No prior industry experience? No problem! If you’re willing to learn and work hard, we’ll teach you everything you need to know. Your daily tasks will involve:

• Operating Laminator tool

• Running tests to see how different materials perform.

• Keeping accurate notes on what worked and what didn’t.

• Keeping the workspace organized and equipment in good condition.

• Learning from experienced teammates and growing your technical skills.

• Working during the time frame of 1:30pm to 10pm

To be great at this role, you will have:

• Safety and compliance: Adhere to all safety protocols and regulations, participate in training, wear proper safety equipment, and maintain good housekeeping standards. This includes wearing a respirator intermittently.

• Quality assurance: Perform basic quality control procedures, such as inspecting finished products, testing components, and identifying defects.

• Machine operation: Safely operate machinery for solar panel production, such as equipment for thin film coating, laser scribing and testing.

• Process monitoring: Monitor production processes and equipment parameters to ensure efficiency and adherence to quality specifications.

• Material handling: Assist in handling, storing, and moving raw materials and half-/finished products within the production area.

• Basic maintenance: Perform simple maintenance and cleaning on equipment as needed and respond to machine alarms.

• Teamwork and communication: Work collaboratively with team members and supervisors to resolve issues, achieve production targets, and provide data reporting when required.

• Flexible Work Schedule: The ability to flex to the needs of the business.

Qualifications:

We can teach a lot, but there are some basics you’ll need to know to hit the ground running, that includes:

• High school diploma or GED.

• Ability to follow work instructions and procedures.

• Proficiency with hand tools.

• Mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills.

• Attention to detail.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, often while standing for long periods.

• Good attendance and communication skills.

• Willingness to perform repetitive tasks.

• Experience on a Laminator tool a plus.

What we offer:

An awesome team of dedicated technologists changing the way the world is powered! If that’s not enough, we’ll take good care of you and your family with:

• Flexible PTO

• Healthcare coverage

• Life Insurance

• Long-term & Short-term Disability

• Parental leave

• Meaningful equity

Founded in 2016 by Stanford PhD graduates Colin Bailie and Chris Eberspacher, TandemPV is pioneering the next generation of solar technology through high-efficiency, mechanically stacked perovskite-silicon tandem panels. As an early leader in this technology, we're focused on delivering significantly greater power output than conventional solar panels while reducing costs and advancing American solar manufacturing.

Headquartered in Fremont, California, TandemPV has grown to approximately 65 employees and operates a 65,000-square-foot R&D and manufacturing facility. With more than $100 million in funding raised, we're accelerating the transition from breakthrough research to commercial-scale manufacturing. Our experienced leadership team has successfully executed 10 federal and state-funded projects and continues to advance strategic partnerships, product development, and manufacturing innovation.

Recognized as the 2025 Best Pre-Commercial Venture by the Industry Growth Forum and named among America's Top GreenTech Companies by TIME for three consecutive years, TandemPV is helping shape the future of clean energy.

We're building a team of talented, driven individuals who thrive on solving complex challenges, developing innovative technologies, and turning ambitious ideas into real-world products. At TandemPV, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact as we scale our technology, expand U.S. manufacturing, and bring next-generation solar solutions to market.

Tandem PV is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.