Senior Photovoltaic Material and Process Development Engineer

Application close date:

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. Were 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!

This role is part of Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering (ACE), supporting Blue Origins mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. The team fosters innovation and drives engineering workflows of the future, shared solutions and standards, simplicity and lower costs, and manufacturable design.

At Blue Origin, our mission is to enable a future where millions of people are living and working in space. The Product Formulation team is an innovative, fast-paced group dedicated to developing and maturing next-generation technologies essential for future aerospace missions. We thrive in a results-oriented, prototype-driven, and fail-fast environment. As a Photovoltaic (PV) Materials and Process Engineer, you will drive advances in solar cell materialsincluding both traditional silicon and emerging photovoltaicswhile playing a crucial role in integrating these cells into high-performance solar power modules (SPMs) for space applications.

Responsibilities:

As a Photovoltaic Materials and Process Engineer, you will be responsible for the end-to-end development of advanced photovoltaic materials and processes for next-generation solar cells and their integration into solar power modules. You will bridge fundamental research and applied engineering, designing materials solutions, optimizing high-rate thin-film deposition, evaluating cutting-edge annealing techniques, and enabling the seamless transition of innovative cells into reliable, flight-ready modules that meet the rigorous demands of aerospace environments .

• Lead research, development, and optimization of advanced PV materialsincluding silicon and next-generation technologiesfor space-grade solar cells.

• Design, synthesize, and characterize absorber materials, transport layers, and electrical contacts for high-efficiency, high-reliability photovoltaic devices in extreme space environments.

• Develop, optimize , and scale both conventional and high-rate thin-film deposition processes, including inkjet printing, slot-die coating, and roll-to-roll methods, emphasizing rapid prototyping and manufacturability.

• Implement and evaluate advanced annealing techniques (e.g., intense pulsed light/photonic curing, laser annealing) to enhance thin-film and silicon material quality and device performance.

• Fabricate and characterize laboratory and pilot-scale solar cells, including both silicon and emerging PV devices; analyze material, electrical, and optical properties using advanced instrumentation.

• Integrate photovoltaic cells into solar power modules (SPMs), ensuring mechanical, electrical, and environmental compatibility for aerospace power systems.

• Collaborate closely with module design, systems engineering, and manufacturing teams to mature cell-to-module integration, encompassing encapsulation, electrical interconnects, and qualification testing.

• Document experimental and process data in detail and facilitate technology transfer to manufacturing, complying with aerospace quality and traceability requirements.

• Champion a culture of technical innovation, process safety, and multidisciplinary collaboration within a high-performance engineering environment.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field

• 7+ years progressive experience in photovoltaic materials/process R&D, including at least 3 years in a senior or technical leadership capacity.

• Direct hands-on experience with silicon PV materialsincluding deposition, processing, and integration into functional solar cells and modules.

• Strong background in high-rate thin-film deposition techniques (such as inkjet printing, slot-die coating, roll-to-roll) for semiconductor materials.

• Expertise in advanced annealing techniques (e.g., intense pulsed light, photonic curing, laser annealing) for thin-film and/or silicon PV processing.

• Proven experience integrating photovoltaic cellsespecially silicon-basedinto modules, with holistic consideration for electrical, mechanical, and reliability requirements.

• Comprehensive skills in materials and device characterization (SEM, XRD, AFM, UV-Vis, Hall effect) and relationship to deposition methods.

• Working knowledge of module-level design, including thermal management, encapsulation, interconnect design, and qualification testing.

• Exceptional analytical, troubleshooting, and process-improvement skills.

• Strong communication , technical documentation, and cross-functional teamwork abilities.

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field .

• Direct experience with crystalline and/or thin-film silicon PV processes, including their integration into aerospace-grade modules.

• Background with emerging PV materials (perovskite, CIGS, CdTe , III-V, organic PV) and hybrid silicon/multijunction device development.

• Demonstrated capability to scale innovative deposition and annealing processes from laboratory to pilot and full-production scale.

• Knowledge of module reliability testing and qualification (thermal cycling, vacuum, radiation) for aerospace power systems.

• Patent filings, peer-reviewed publications, or notable record of technology transfer in PV materials and module integration.

• Experience with automated/advanced deposition, annealing, and high-throughput module assembly or testing equipment.

Compensation Range for:

WA applicants is $140,959.00-$197,342.25

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement

Dont 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 youre excited about this role but your past experience doesnt 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.

Export Control Regulations

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check

• Required for all positions: Blues Standard Background Check

• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation

• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification, Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing (CDL drivers only), vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.

Benefits

• Benefits include: Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.

• Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.

• Discretionary bonus: Bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results.

• Eligibility for benefits varies by role type, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on Know Your Rights, please see here .

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origins Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com . Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.

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