Spacecraft Solar Array Engineer
About The Position
SET Development is supporting a confidential, venture-backed aerospace company developing first-of-kind space-based solar power systems — designed to deliver continuous baseload energy from orbit to ground, 24/7, across entire continents, without batteries or seasonal constraints. This is an IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE POSITION! This is an early-stage, high-impact engineering environment. You will own real decisions, work across disciplines, and contribute directly to hardware that will fly. If you're looking for a highly structured, process-heavy program environment, this will not be a fit. If you want to build something that has never been built before — keep reading. We are seeking a Spacecraft Solar Array Engineer to lead the design, development, qualification, and in-orbit performance optimization of spacecraft photovoltaic systems — from initial concept through end-of-life.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Aerospace, or Mechanical Engineering (or related field)
- 5+ years of experience in spacecraft solar arrays, spacecraft power systems, or space-rated photovoltaic hardware
- Demonstrated experience in at least one of: solar array design/sizing, power system modeling, or space hardware qualification and testing
- U.S. citizenship required (export-controlled work)
Nice To Haves
- M.S. or Ph.D. in Electrical, Aerospace, or Mechanical Engineering
- Hands-on flight program experience with solar arrays or power subsystems
- Familiarity with power regulation, string configuration, and bypass diode design
- Experience with radiation effects, degradation modeling, and ECSS/NASA/MIL qualification standards
- Hands-on lab experience: hardware builds, soldering/cell interconnection, environmental testing
- Experience with deployable structures or solar array drive mechanisms (SADMs)
Responsibilities
- Design spacecraft solar array systems including cell technology selection (multi-junction), string configuration, panel layout, and system interfaces
- Develop power budgets and orbital energy balance models across eclipse cycles, pointing constraints, and end-of-life degradation scenarios
- Produce interface control documents (ICDs), design specifications, and technical documentation
- Perform electrical, thermal, and structural analyses of solar array assemblies
- Model radiation effects, thermal cycling, and long-term degradation
- Evaluate system-level performance impacts across mission scenarios
- Support development of deployable solar array systems including structural interfaces and articulation mechanisms
- Contribute to rapid prototyping, hardware integration, and validation
- Collaborate with structures, avionics, manufacturing, and supply chain teams
- Define and execute qualification and acceptance test campaigns: TVAC, vibration, shock, electrical performance, and lifecycle testing
- Analyze test results, respond to anomalies, and drive design improvements
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Disability and life insurance
- Competitive paid time off
- 401(k) with employer matching
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
