Engineer - Materials & Process Sr - Solar Modules

Application close date:

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We’re working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight! 

As a key member of our dedicated solar array engineering team, you will develop and qualify materials and processes for photovoltaic modules — from prototype through high-rate production — directly contributing to the solar arrays powering our next-generation satellite constellation and in-space transportation vehicles.

• Relocation provided
• Travel expected up to 15% of the time
• Interviews will include a technical assessment

• Design, develop, and qualify manufacturing processes for solar module fabrication, including solar cell stringing processes, adhesive encapsulation, vacuum lamination, and tabbing and bussing of photovoltaic cells
• Collaborate with R&D teams to transition novel materials and processes into production
• Develop and implement process controls and first-article qualification plans to ensure consistent, high-quality output from prototype builds through high-volume production rates
• Identify and solve materials and process challenges across the development-to-production continuum, from laboratory-scale demonstrations to a high-rate manufacturing line
• Support the integration of photovoltaic cells into solar power modules (SPMs), ensuring mechanical, electrical, and environmental compatibility for aerospace power systems
• Work closely with module design, systems engineering, and manufacturing teams on cell-to-module integration, including bonding, encapsulant, substrate adhesion, electrical interconnects, and environmental qualification testing
• Document experimental and process data thoroughly and support technology transfer activities to manufacturing, following aerospace quality and traceability requirements
• Contribute to a culture of technical innovation, process safety, and multidisciplinary collaboration within a high-performance engineering environment

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or related engineering field
• 8+ years of experience in a manufacturing, fabrication, or laboratory environment
• Experience with semiconductor, optoelectronic, or photovoltaic devices
• Expertise with one or more of the following: adhesive characterization, bonding and lamination processes, encapsulation, solar cell stringing processes, coatings, or composites
• Familiarity with the space environment and its effect on materials
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

• PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, or Physics with 10+ years of experience, or Master's degree with 12+ years and space photovoltaics experience
• Direct experience with solar cell and/or panel fabrication processes
• Experience scaling photovoltaic fabrication processes from R&D or prototype into a production environment, including takt-time reduction and process capability studies
• Familiarity with testing of space-grade solar cells/panels
• Knowledge of photovoltaic device physics and performance characterization
• Familiarity with radiation effects on photovoltaic cells, coverglass, and encapsulant materials; experience with cryogenic or thermomechanical qualification of bonded assemblies is a plus
• Ability to source, design and test materials and properties for solar array improvement
• Interest or experience in emerging thin-film photovoltaic technologies as applied to flexible space power systems

Base Pay Range for:

Don’t meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin, we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.