Space-Grade Solar Cell Reliability Engineer

United States Digital Space LLC; United States; Remote; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Starlink is seeking a Solar Cell Reliability Engineer to own the reliability lab and the end-to-end reliability story for HJT solar cells in space, from wafer and cell process through module integration and on-orbit performance.

You will lead tests, define matrices, perform root-cause analysis, and collaborate with process, design, and manufacturing teams to ensure high power density and durability for Starlink hardware.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a reliability lab and test programs for PV or space-grade hardware.
• Ability to design and execute reliability test plans (thermal cycling, vacuum, humidity, UV, radiation).
• Strong root-cause analysis skills using SEM/EDS/FTIR/PL-EL and related techniques.
• FMEA/PFMEA experience and ability to communicate risk and mitigation.

Responsibilities

• Own and operate the solar cell reliability lab: equipment strategy, capability roadmap, calibration, maintenance, safety, throughput, and data integrity for HJT cell and coupon reliability testing.
• Define, execute, and continuously improve the space reliability test matrix for HJT solar cells (thermal cycling, thermal vacuum, humidity/damp heat, UV stability, reverse bias, shock/vibration, radiation, accelerated life tests).
• Build and own the reliability narrative for flight and program reviews: failure modes, physics of failure, acceleration models, life predictions, margins, and qualification logic.
• Partner with HJT process and equipment engineering to link process parameters to reliability outcomes; drive corrective actions and design-for-reliability changes.
• Establish reliability gates for process changes, tool qualifications, material substitutions, and supplier changes; own risk assessment and release criteria.
• Develop and maintain test methods, SOPs, fixturing, and automation for high-throughput reliability characterization; ensure methods are transferable and auditable.
• Lead root cause analysis on reliability failures using SEM/FIB, EDS, FTIR, PL/EL, IV, QE, adhesion tests; close the loop with manufacturing and design.
• Define and track reliability KPIs and report status to leadership with clear recommendations.
• Interface with power systems, structures, thermal, radiation effects, quality, and flight reliability teams to achieve coherence across all hardware levels.

Skills

Lab management

Reliability testing

Root-cause analysis

FMEA

Tools

SEM/FIB

EDS

FTIR

PL/EL

Job description

Starlink is seeking a Solar Cell Reliability Engineer to own the reliability lab and the end-to-end reliability story for HJT solar cells in space, from wafer and cell process through module integration and on-orbit performance.

You will lead tests, define matrices, perform root-cause analysis, and collaborate with process, design, and manufacturing teams to ensure high power density and durability for Starlink hardware.