Sr. Thin-Film Materials Engineer, PECVD for Solar Cells

Starlink; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Sr. Materials Engineer for thin films to partner with solar cell process engineering on PECVD-deposited films, defining material requirements and targets to improve cell performance and manufacturability.

You will lead root-cause analyses, mentor others, coordinate with suppliers, and drive durable improvements in a fast-paced, high-volume environment on the Starlink program. Will travel up to 25% as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in materials science, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, physics, or a STEM discipline.
• 5+ years of professional experience with thin films, PECVD or other vacuum-deposited coatings, or electronic materials in a manufacturing or R&D environment.

Responsibilities

• Partner with solar cell process engineering on PECVD thin films, developing materials requirements and film-property targets.
• Build deep technical understanding of plasma-deposited film materials and translate into actionable recommendations to improve cell performance.
• Serve as the technical expert for thin-film materials, applying advanced concepts and developing new evaluation methods.
• Manage multiple complex materials projects in parallel and present solved problems to leadership.
• Define material requirements and acceptance criteria; qualify precursors and film stacks for production.
• Lead structured root-cause analysis and drive durable corrective actions based on first principles.
• Influence cross-functional decisions and develop materials methods and specifications.
• Identify path-finding for advanced thin-film materials to improve efficiency, reliability, or cost.
• Coordinate with suppliers to reduce supply-chain risk and ensure scalability.
• Mentor engineers and new hires in thin-film materials and first-principles problem solving.

Skills

Thin-films

PECVD

Materials science

Troubleshooting

Cross-functional collaboration

First-principles thinking

Mentoring

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in materials science/engineering/physics (STEM)

Tools

PECVD

Spectroscopic ellipsometry

FTIR

SEM-EDS

XPS

Four-point probe

Job description

SpaceX is seeking a Sr. Materials Engineer for thin films to partner with solar cell process engineering on PECVD-deposited films, defining material requirements and targets to improve cell performance and manufacturability.

You will lead root-cause analyses, mentor others, coordinate with suppliers, and drive durable improvements in a fast-paced, high-volume environment on the Starlink program. Will travel up to 25% as needed.