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Senior Photovoltaics / Solar Array Engineer - Solar & Deployables

Muon Space· Engineering - Hardware
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San Jose, CA$173k - $193kFull-timePosted 2mo ago

About the role

Lead the design, qualification, and sustainment of photovoltaic systems for Muon Space spacecraft, optimizing cell selection, encapsulation, array architecture, and performance predictions from cell coupon to qualified flight hardware. Onsite at San Jose, CA three days per week.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as the technical owner for photovoltaic systems — cells, encapsulation, and array electrical architecture — for assigned missions
  • Lead solar cell selection and qualification, including procurement specifications, screening, and radiation/thermal performance characterization
  • Build and manage partnerships with solar cell vendors and manufacturers, from cell procurement through co-development of array assemblies
  • Define array electrical architecture: string sizing, blocking/bypass diode strategy, grounding and bonding, and layout
  • Optimize total system efficiency — trading mass, power, and cost at the array and spacecraft level
  • Develop and maintain array performance predictions (BOL/EOL, radiation degradation, thermal derating) and reconcile them against test and on-orbit data
  • Own encapsulation, lamination, and bonding processes for panel assembly; partner with manufacturing on work instructions, tooling, and yield improvements
  • Own array and coupon qualification, including environmental test (vibration, TVAC, thermal cycling) and acceptance data packages
  • Work with mechanical, structural, and thermal engineers to iterate array designs for performance and manufacturability; support make vs. buy decisions
  • Document and champion photovoltaics best practices and design standards; contribute to design reviews (PDR, CDR, MRR)
  • Mentor junior engineers and technicians, and drive arrays to scale from prototype builds to constellation quantities

Qualifications

  • 8+ years of experience designing, building, and testing high-reliability hardware, including 5+ years with solar arrays or photovoltaic systems
  • Strong understanding of solar cell physics, with hands-on experience across single, double, and triple junction cells
  • Hands-on experience with one or more of: space solar cell selection/screening, encapsulation/lamination, or array electrical design
  • Working knowledge of array performance prediction (BOL/EOL, radiation and thermal effects) and power budgeting
  • Experience with array or coupon qualification, including environmental test (TVAC, vibration, thermal cycling)
  • Strong systems-level thinking across electrical, mechanical, thermal, and power domains
  • Strong skills with drawings, GD&T, BOMs, and mass/power budgets; proficiency with standard tools (CAD, PLM, test equipment)
  • Extensive documentation capabilities: build procedures, test plans, design trades
  • Experience working with external vendors for part development and manufacturing
  • Excellent communication, presentation, and cross-functional coordination skills
  • B.S. or higher in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or related field

Skills

Required:Solar cell physicsArray electrical designEnvironmental testingVendor managementDocumentation & design reviewsCommunication & collaboration

Benefits

  • equity compensation
  • medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401k retirement plan
  • short & long term disability and life insurance
  • three weeks paid vacation
  • 12 paid holidays
  • unlimited sick time
  • paid parental leave
Last updated Sep 19, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About Muon Space

The Mission Foundry — designing, building, and operating high-performance satellite constellations for National Security, civil, and commercial customers.

Design, build, and operate mission-optimized satellite constellations with Muon Space.

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