Solar Cell Quality Engineer (Starlink)

SpaceX • Bastrop, TX

6d • Onsite

About The Position

SpaceX is looking for a Solar Cell Quality Engineer for its Starlink program. This role will be responsible for the quality of the solar cell fabrication process, ensuring that no defective cells are used in module assembly, satellite integration, or flight. The engineer will own inline and offline cell metrology, including defining test methods, sampling frequency, and acceptance logic. This position is critical to the Starlink network, as the solar cells directly impact the internet service provided to customers. The work will ensure solar cells deliver unmatched power density and durability for various SpaceX missions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• 1+ years of experience in chemical engineering, materials science, electrical engineering, physics, or mechanical engineering in design, analysis, and/or system implementation (internship and extracurricular experience is applicable)

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, electrical engineering, or related technical discipline (especially in PV, thin-film devices, metrology, or quality engineering)
• 2+ years of hands-on experience in solar cell, PV module, semiconductor device, or high-volume manufacturing quality/metrology (internship/co-op experience may count toward this if highly relevant and hands-on)
• Experience defining sampling plans, test methods, and spec limits, and defending them with data (capability, escape risk, cost of quality)
• Proficiency with data analysis (e.g., Python, MATLAB, JMP, R, or equivalent) and comfort with statistics (SPC, process capability, GR&R/MSA, DOE basics)
• Hands-on experience with PV metrology tools (e.g. I-V, Sinton lifetime, EL/PL, 4-point probe, ellipsometry) and end-of-line test/sort
• Experience standing up a metrology lab or qualifying new inline test equipment (correlation, calibration, golden wafers/cells)
• Experience with SPC, DoE, and lean manufacturing principles
• Self-motivated with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills
• Experience with solar cell manufacturing equipment, such as wet chemical processing equipment, PE-CVD equipment, PVD machines, metallization and final test equipment, and wafer inspection equipment. Experience in evaporation tools and ALD tools are a plus

Responsibilities

• Own quality of the solar cell fab: prevent escapes to module assembly, satellite integration, and flight; drive containment and disposition when product or process is out of family
• Own inline and offline cell metrology as a system, including the offline metrology lab, inline I-V testers, EL/PL, and related inspection equipment (ellipsometry, SEM/EDS, Raman, FTIR, microscopy, 4pt probe, hall effect measurement, optical measurements, etc.).
• Define test methods, sampling frequency, acceptance criteria, and reaction plans for in-process and end-of-line cell measurements
• Own sorter/binning from a process and quality standpoint: bin definitions, grade gates, retest rules, and hold/release logic
• Establish and maintain MSA/GR&R, calibration, correlation, and golden-sample programs so inline and lab data can be trusted
• Build SPC, spec limits, and out-of-control action plans on the metrics that catch yield, reliability, and flight risk
• Own documentation for quality and metrology tools and methods (SOPs, work instructions, PMs, training) and be the SME for those tools through install, commissioning, and ramp
• Partner with process and equipment engineering (texturing, PECVD/a-Si stacks, TCO, metallization) so in-process metrology catches drifts before they become lots of scrap—or lots of escapes
• Partner with the solar cell reliability engineer so factory screens (I-V, EL/PL, visual, mechanical) protect the space-qualification envelope rather than duplicating or missing it
• Lead root cause analysis on quality escapes and metrology failures (electrical, optical, interfacial, mechanical) using I-V, EL/PL, lifetime, sheet resistance, ellipsometry, and other characterization; close the loop with manufacturing
• Define and track quality KPIs (e.g., escape rate, first-pass yield, metrology OEE, GR&R, lot-to-lot variation, containment cycle time) and report status to leadership with clear recommendations
• Mentor technicians and junior engineers; set fab quality culture for rigor, speed, and honest interpretation of data

Benefits

• Ability to travel frequently for work, potentially for extended periods of time during machine buyoffs and startup
• Ability to lift 25 lbs. unassisted
• Lifting, standing, climbing, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying are generally required to perform the functions of this position
• Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as needed

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level