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Materials Engineer, Solar Cell Characterization

SpaceX· Materials Engineering - Starlink Materials
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Hybrid (Bastrop, TX)Full-timePosted 1mo ago

About the role

Materials Engineer specializing in offline metrology and materials characterization of insourced solar cells to raise performance and yield. Owns measurement capability, analysis methods, and root-cause investigation across electrical, optical, and materials data; collaborates with process, production, and quality teams to implement durable fixes.

Responsibilities

  • Own characterization and metrology strategy for insourced solar cells across cell interfaces—from method development and tool qualification through production-ready measurement recipes
  • Build and maintain a suite of offline electrical, optical, and materials characterization techniques to quantify cell performance, reliability, and yield-limiting defects (e.g., I-V, quantum efficiency, PL/EL imaging, lifetime, SEM-EDS, optical microscopy, spectroscopy, and related methods)
  • Lead root cause analysis for performance and yield excursions: design experiments, execute failure analysis, correlate process history with metrology signatures, and drive corrective actions to first principles
  • Define measurement requirements, sampling plans, gauge R&R, calibration, and acceptance criteria in partnership with process, quality, and production engineering
  • Stand up and develop processes for offline metrology equipment; own data integrity, tool matching, and measurement uncertainty so results can be trusted for process decisions
  • Translate characterization results into clear material and process recommendations that improve efficiency, reliability, cost, and manufacturability
  • Partner with process engineering on DOEs and golden-line development; provide rapid feedback loops during recipe, materials, and equipment changes
  • Document methods, specifications, FA reports, and best practices; communicate status, risks, and recommendations clearly to cross-functional partners and leadership
  • Champion a culture of safety and quality in all sample preparation, chemical handling, lab operations, and production support activities

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in materials science, materials engineering, chemical engineering, or a related technical discipline
  • 1+ years of professional experience in materials characterization, failure analysis, semiconductor/PV metrology, or a related laboratory or manufacturing role (internship and co-op experience applicable)

Skills

Required:Materials characterizationRoot cause analysisData analysis
Nice to have:PV / solar cell metrologyLaboratory management / LIMS
Last updated Sep 2, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

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