The opportunity
SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
What you'll do
Own end-to-end cell efficiency roadmap: integrate processes across ingot growth, wafer prep, deposition (PECVD, PVD), passivation, metallization, and testing to drive significant efficiency gains
Define and qualify incoming wafer specifications (e.g., resistivity,: lifetime, thickness uniformity) for SHJ compatibility, partnering with suppliers and internal supply for tens of GW-scale volumes
Design and iterate SHJ cell architectures optimized for space: Radiation tolerance (proton/electron fluence), thermal vacuum cycling, UV exposure, and high specific power (>250 W/kg)
Develop fab-wide metrology strategy: Select, commission, and calibrate inline/offline tools (e.g., lifetime testers, IQE/EL mappers, TRPL, LBIC, SEM, Ellipsometry, Raman, etc.) for real-time process control and yield correlation
Lead reliability engineering: Establish accelerated life testing labs (HALST, damp heat, mechanical stress, radiation, TVAC, UV, etc.), define qualification protocols per ECSS/AEC-Q standards, and predict 25+ year mission lifetimes
Build and maintain physics-based models (e.g., PC1D, Quokka, Sentaurus) for: loss analysis (recombination, shading, passivation) and guide DoE with process teams
What they're looking for
- Analyze production data to identify efficiency limiters, spearhead: cross-functional improvements, and support fab ramps
- Mentor team on PV physics fundamentals and represent solar cell performance: in design reviews for spacecraft power systems
- Develop, implement, and maintain new and/or improved manufacturing processes,: equipment, technologies, and facilities
- Analyze production processes and machinery from a first principles, physics-based approach
