Solar Power Module Responsible Engineer

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 part of a hardworking team of specialists, technicians, and engineers, you will lead the design and development of next-generation photovoltaic assemblies for spacecraft and constellation programs. This is a clean-sheet opportunity within our Advanced Concepts & Enterprise Engineering (ACE) group, where you will own the full development cycle from concept and design through manufacturing, test, and flight-ready hardware. You will make real decisions on photovoltaic module design, manufacturing processes and automation, test philosophy and execution - and you will see those decisions become hardware quickly. This is not a sustaining engineering role.  The ideal candidate has the ability to work across electrical, mechanical, thermal, optical, and manufacturing domains. You will have real technical authority, lab access, and the organizational support to execute at a pace that matches your ambition.  

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

• Lead design and development of space-grade photovoltaic assemblies from concept through flight-qualified hardware
• Define string layouts, voltage architecture, and electrical interfaces optimized for performance, low cost, and high manufacturability
• Develop and own manufacturing processes for solar panel production, incorporating applicable approaches from terrestrial solar where advantageous
• Perform and lead electrical characterization and testing of solar cells, strings, and modules
• Drive design trade studies across electrical, mechanical, thermal, optical, and cost dimensions and make decisions based on findings
• Develop test methodologies to characterize degradation and validate end-of-life performance predictions
• Partner with systems, structures, thermal, and power electronics teams to deliver integrated power solutions

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field
• 5+ years experience in high reliability and/or harsh environment hardware development
• Hands-on experience in solar device or optoelectronic hardware development
• Working knowledge of photovoltaic power generation, including III-V and silicon solar cells, cell interconnects, and module assembly.

• 3+ years of direct experience in space solar array design, development, and testing
• Hands-on experience with flexible and/or deployable solar arrays, such as rolling or folding configurations
• Detailed knowledge of CIC stringing and laydown, panel and wing assembly, harness and interconnect design, and acceptance and qualification testing
• Familiarity with terrestrial solar panel design and high-rate manufacturing processes

Compensation 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.