Sr. Materials Engineer, Silicon Crystal Growth (Starlink)

Starlink; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX in Texas is seeking a Sr. Materials Engineer, Silicon Crystal Growth (Starlink). You will own equipment specification, validation, and process development for silicon ingot/wafer production for Starlink solar cells.

Work with metrology tools, develop quality specs, lead root-cause investigations, push for higher PV efficiency, and drive scale-up from R&D to production.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in materials science, chemical engineering, or a STEM field.
• 5+ years of experience in semiconductor crystal growth manufacturing, research, or characterization.
• Masters/PhD preferred; 8+ years experience in photovoltaics, semiconductor, or crystal growth helpful.
• Expertise in CZ crystal growth fundamentals, including thermal management, impurity control, and defect mitigation.
• In-depth knowledge of polysilicon feedstock, dopants, crucible materials, and their impact on ingot quality and yield.
• Proficiency in silicon ingot/wafer characterization techniques and equipment (ICP-MS, GDMS, XRT, SEM/TEM, FTIR, resistivity mapping, PL lifetime).
• Experience with SPC, DOE, and manufacturing metrics (CPK, yield, OEE) in production environments.
• Proven track record developing new processes, improving efficiencies, and transferring to production in fast-paced environments.
• Cross-functional leadership skills to align diverse teams toward shared technical goals.

Responsibilities

• Own the full lifecycle of equipment specification, validation, and process development for silicon ingot and wafer production.
• Specify and implement in-process and off-line metrology tools for quality control.
• Develop silicon ingot and wafer quality specifications; conduct testing and performance evaluation to ensure specifications are met.
• Lead root cause failure investigations to resolve process issues.
• Push material and crystal growth process limits to enable higher PV efficiency.
• Collaborate with leadership and stakeholders to drive scale-up plans from R&D to production of silicon ingots and wafers.

Skills

CZ crystal growth

Thermal management

Defect mitigation

Material characterization

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in materials science, chemical engineering, or a STEM field

Master's degree or PhD in materials science or related field

Tools

ICP-MS

GDMS

XRT

SEM/TEM

FTIR

Resistivity mapping

PL lifetime testing

Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

SR. MATERIALS ENGINEER, SILICON CRYSTAL GROWTH (STARLINK)

Starlink, our revolutionary satellite constellation, will deliver low-latency broadband internet worldwide. We are committed to offering access to high-speed internet to customers and are looking for a Materials Engineer to utilize their knowledge, experience, and creativity to solve materials and processing challenges in silicon crystal growth and wafer production for Starlink solar cells.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Own the full lifecycle of equipment specification, validation, and process development for silicon ingot and wafer production.
• Specify and implement in-process and off-line metrology tools for quality control.
• Develop silicon ingot and wafer quality specifications; conduct testing and performance evaluation to ensure specifications are met.
• Lead root cause failure investigations to resolve process issues.
• Push material and crystal growth process limits to enable higher PV efficiency.
• Collaborate with leadership and stakeholders to drive scale-up plans from R&D to production of silicon ingots and wafers.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in materials science, chemical engineering, or a STEM field.
• 5+ years of experience in semiconductor crystal growth manufacturing, research, or characterization.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master's degree or PhD in materials science, chemical engineering, or a related field.
• 8+ years of professional work experience (photovoltaics, semiconductor, or crystal growth sectors preferred).
• Expertise in CZ crystal growth fundamentals, including thermal management, impurity control, and defect mitigation.
• In-depth knowledge of polysilicon feedstock, dopants, crucible materials, and their impact on ingot quality and yield.
• Proficiency in silicon ingot/wafer characterization techniques and equipment, including ICP-MS, GDMS, XRT, SEM/TEM, FTIR, resistivity mapping, and minority carrier lifetime testing (PL).
• Experience with Statistical Process Control (SPC), Design of Experiments (DOE), and manufacturing metrics (e.g., CPK, yield, OEE) in production environments.
• Demonstrated track record in developing new processes, improving efficiencies (e.g., pull rates, purity >9N), and successfully transferring to production in a rapidly growing, fast-paced environment.
• Proven cross-functional leadership skills, with experience aligning diverse teams to achieve shared technology goals.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be available to work extended hours and weekends as needed.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% time.
• Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise.
• Comfort occasionally working in tight or confined spaces.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affnegative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].