← All roles

Materials Engineer, Thin Films

SpaceX· Materials Engineering - Starlink Materials
Apply on company site
Hybrid (Bastrop, TX)$0Full-timePosted 3w ago

About the role

Materials Engineer for thin films to support PECVD-deposited films in insourced solar cell manufacturing for Starlink. Focus on characterization, linking deposition conditions to material properties, and driving improvements in cell performance, yield, and cost.

Responsibilities

  • Partner with solar cell process engineering on PECVD thin films (e.g., passivation, anti-reflection, and related dielectric or semiconductor layers), supporting materials characterization, film-property understanding, and production readiness
  • Execute materials characterization and analysis of plasma-deposited films; correlate process conditions with thickness, refractive index, composition, lifetime, uniformity, and cell electrical/optical performance, and recommend next steps
  • Build proficiency with thin-film materials, PECVD-relevant vacuum and plasma concepts, and lab/metrology methods; consult with senior engineers on higher-impact decisions while independently completing straightforward materials work
  • Support DOEs and process trials: define materials measurements, collect high-quality data, and help interpret results with process engineering
  • Support root cause analysis for film, interface, contamination, and yield issues: design experiments, execute failure analysis with characterization partners, and drive assigned corrective actions to completion with no loose ends
  • Help define film material requirements, specifications, sampling plans, and acceptance criteria in partnership with process, quality, and production engineering
  • Document materials results, specifications, and best practices; communicate status, risks, and recommendations clearly to cross-functional partners and, with support as needed, to leadership
  • Identify opportunities to improve film materials performance, yield, cost, and manufacturability; raise issues early with proposed solutions rather than problems alone
  • Support qualification of precursors, consumables, and film stacks, and production troubleshooting on the manufacturing floor; follow through until work is complete and understood
  • Champion a culture of safety and quality in all vacuum, plasma, chemical/gas handling, lab, and production support activities

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in materials science, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, physics, or a STEM discipline
  • 1+ years of professional experience with thin films, PECVD or vacuum-deposited coatings, or semiconductor/PV materials

Skills

Required:Thin-film materials understandingPECVD and vacuum depositionMaterials characterizationCommunicationProblem-solving
Nice to have:Data analysisRoot cause analysis
Last updated Sep 30, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About SpaceX

defense-aero-and-safetysetter-30setter-30-2026-q1wing-list-2026wing-list-2026-giga-stage
Company profileWebsite

More open roles at SpaceX