Senior Research Engineer - Photovoltaics

Blue Origin•Huntsville, FL

About The Position

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We’re working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight! This role is part of Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering (ACE), supporting Blue Origin’s mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. The team fosters innovation and drives engineering workflows of the future, shared solutions and standards, simplicity and lower costs, and manufacturable design. As part of a hardworking team of specialists, technicians, and engineers, you will push the frontier of space photovoltaics—transforming breakthrough ideas into reliable, flight-ready power for space missions. You will design and interpret rigorous tests, distill complex data into clear design rules, and collaborate across disciplines to turn insight into manufacturable solutions. Your work will directly shape the performance and longevity of our solar arrays in orbit. Special Mentions Relocation provided Travel expected up to 25% of the time Interviews will include a technical assessment

Requirements

PhD in Physics/EE/MatSci with 8+ years, or MS with 10+ years in PV device research (space focus)
Expertise in IV/QE, temperature coefficients, EL/PL imaging, defect/parametric analysis
Radiation (TID/DDD), AO/UV, thermal cycling testing and modeling for LEO; data correlation
Coverglass/coatings/encapsulants selection; adhesion/CTE/outgassing compatibility
Interconnect metallization and ribbon/busbar design to reduce resistive loss/hot‑spots
Supplier screening and lot acceptance protocols; variability/degradation quantification
DOE/test matrix design; publish design rules; maintain metrology calibration

Nice To Haves

PhD with 12+ years; publication record in space PV; leadership of multi‑partner research
Experience applying AIAA S‑111A Space Solar Cell Testing standard
AO/UV exposure facility experience; ASTM/IEC/ECSS test methods; JEDEC radiation practices
Strong collaboration with manufacturing to translate findings into stable processes

Responsibilities

Characterize PV cells and materials: IV/QE, temperature coefficients, EL/PL imaging, defect analysis
Model and test LEO environment impacts (radiation TID, AO/UV, thermal cycling) on cell performance
Specify coverglass/coatings/encapsulants and evaluate adhesion, CTE, and outgassing compatibility
Develop interconnect metallization and ribbon/busbar designs to minimize resistive loss and hot‑spots
Define supplier screening and lot acceptance protocols; quantify variability and degradation
Design experiments and test matrices; analyze data; publish design rules and correlations
Collaborate with REs and Manufacturing to translate findings into panel designs and processes
Lead materials down-select trades; maintain material specs and qualification evidence
Drive RCCA for PV anomalies; maintain FRACAS for device‑level issues
Mentor junior researchers; maintain lab best practices and metrology calibration plans
Work effectively in a scrappy cross-disciplinary R&D environment with a geographically distributed team

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.
Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.
Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation.

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