Space Photovoltaics Engineer/Scientist

The Aerospace Corporation; El Segundo (CA); On-site; Full time

Job description

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead efforts to develop techniques, tools, capabilities, and prototypes for evaluating and assessing next‑generation spacecraft solar cell and solar array technology for national security space programs.
• Collaborate with industry partners and program offices to ensure the success of critical space missions by evaluating and understanding the relevant properties of the solar array components and how they degrade in the space environment.
• Design and perform experiments that directly impact the direction of space photovoltaic and solar array technology for space missions.
• Apply hands‑on engineering and scientific methods to support design and development of characterization capabilities for advanced space photovoltaic technologies.
• Apply practical experience in test and measurement to characterize photovoltaic devices and develop procedures.
• Contribute to data management, software analysis, and modeling tools.
• Communicate technical findings through presentations, reports, and documentation to colleagues, management, and customers.
• For Senior MTS: independently plan and conduct work, devise new approaches to problems, and engage with inter‑organizational teams and outside customers on matters of technical importance.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Member of Technical Staff

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university program in physics, electrical engineering, materials science, or a related STEM field.
• 2 or more years of experience in photovoltaics research or device physics characterization.
• Experience with photovoltaics characterization techniques such as quantum efficiency, IV measurements, or electroluminescence.
• Experience operating laboratory instrumentation relevant to photovoltaics characterization.
• Demonstrated ability to independently evaluate and apply engineering techniques using judgment to meet assignment objectives.
• Experience with common data analysis tools (e.g., Python, MATLAB, Origin).
• Willingness to travel occasionally (approximately 10%) to customer sites or professional conferences.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance issued by the U.S. government; U.S. citizenship required.

Minimum Requirements for Senior Member of Technical Staff

• 5 or more years of experience in photovoltaics research or device physics characterization.
• Experience with two or more laboratory instruments relevant to photovoltaics characterization.
• Demonstrated ability to independently plan and conduct technical work, devising new approaches to problems as needed.
• Track record of engaging with inter‑organizational teams and external customers on matters of technical importance.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal teams and external customers.

How You Can Stand Out

• Master’s or Ph.D. degree from an accredited college/university program in physics, electrical engineering, materials science, or a related STEM field.
• Experience investigating radiation and space environmental effects in photovoltaic materials such as Si, III‑V, perovskites, CdTe, CIGS, or other power generation technologies.
• Developed advanced characterization techniques that provided deeper understanding of energy generation system performance and degradation.
• Demonstrated experience developing laboratory test capabilities through hardware/software integration (LabVIEW, Python, C++, Arduino).
• Developed software implementing new methods or models to better examine and understand photovoltaic or other energy generation systems.
• Experience with common database tools such as MongoDB, InfluxDB, PostgreSQL, or S3.
• Experience with on‑orbit telemetry analysis and data processing.
• Hands‑on experience in solar array or solar cell manufacturing and production.
• Exposure to data analysis or basic AI/ML techniques (e.g., Python‑based scripts or open‑source libraries) through coursework, academic projects, or early research experience, with interest in applying these to device characterization or test data.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package: $86,600.00 – $129,800.00 (annual).
• Health care and wellness plans.
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation.
• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options.
• 401(k) plan with company‑paid benefits of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation plus matching contributions; immediate eligibility and vesting upon hire.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions.
• Relocation assistance.
• Professional growth and development programs.
• Education assistance programs.
• Inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or needs reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at [e-mail].