Lead Production Technician, Solar Cells (Starlink)

SpaceX • Bastrop, TX

10h • Onsite

About The Position

SpaceX is building the next generation of space infrastructure, including orbital AI data centers that require reliable, high-efficiency solar power. The company is establishing a large solar cell manufacturing facility and seeks a Lead Production Technician to run an assigned area of the cell line during a shift. The role combines skilled operation of solar cell production equipment with leading the crew and maintaining consistent process monitoring, troubleshooting, and quality control from texturing through test.

The position requires availability for one of two alternating work schedules: A Shift, approximately 5:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, or B Shift, approximately 5:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. International travel of 10% is required. The work takes place in an industrial factory environment that may include fumes or odors, noise, hazardous chemicals, and confined spaces. Applicants must meet the stated U.S. export-control eligibility requirements or be eligible to obtain required authorizations.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate.
• At least 2 years of professional experience in a hands-on manufacturing environment.
• At least 1 year of experience training technicians or associates, or leading a team on a production shift.
• Ability to travel internationally 10%.
• Ability to stand for up to 6 hours, lift up to 25 pounds unassisted, and maneuver around equipment in a factory setting.
• Ability to work in industrial environments with fumes or odors, noise, hazardous chemicals, and confined spaces.
• Availability for one of the listed alternating work schedules: A Shift, approximately 5:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Sunday–Wednesday, or B Shift, approximately 5:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Wednesday–Saturday.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or eligible to obtain the required U.S. Department of State authorizations.

Nice To Haves

• Experience operating vacuum deposition, wet processing, or screen printing equipment in solar or semiconductor manufacturing.
• Knowledge of process parameters for temperature, pressure, flow, and gas chemistry.
• Experience with statistical process control (SPC) and data-driven decision making.
• Ability to read and interpret technical documents, schematics, and work instructions.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills in a high-volume production setting.
• Familiarity with cleanroom protocols and gowning procedures.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to direct a crew in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with lock-out/tag-out, job hazard analysis, and chemical safety protocols.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools and executing digital work instructions.
• Demonstrated punctuality, ability to work in a high-stress environment, and flexibility to adjust priorities.
• Experience ramping a new production line and holding a crew to a written standard while the process is still changing.

Responsibilities

• Lead production technicians and associates in meeting daily safety, output, and quality targets.
• Schedule and assign work during the shift while operating texturing, PECVD, PVD, metallization, and test equipment.
• Execute equipment startup and shutdown and shift handovers; maintain process parameters within released limits, identify deviations, and take corrective action.
• Perform in-process inspections, data logging, and quality checks, including support for PL, AOI, and IV testing; maintain production records in the manufacturing execution system.
• Work with maintenance and engineering to investigate downtime root causes and coordinate preventive maintenance and calibration.
• Help write and refine operating procedures to reduce cost and downtime and improve yield.
• Enforce safety, quality, cleanroom, and 5S standards, and complete daily audit checklists covering safety, cleanliness, tool traceability, and process adherence.
• Train production associates and technicians on process flow, work instructions, and internal SpaceX systems.
• Provide regular feedback on output, efficiency, quality, and safety, and partner with the supervisor on performance feedback.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED