Sr. Chemical Texturing Equipment Engineer, Solar Cells (Starlink)

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible with the ultimate goal ofenabling human life on Mars.

SR. CHEMICAL TEXTURING EQUIPMENT ENGINEER SOLAR CELLS (STARLINK)

Starlinkbelieves in providing fast reliable internet to those that need it most. We design build and launch the worlds largest and most advanced satellite constellation thatis capable of deliveringhigh-speed internet to even the most remote locations.

As a Sr. Chemical Texturing Equipment Engineer you will own the chemical processing equipment (wet chemical texturing tools wet chemical preclean tools) used to manufacture silicon heterojunction solar cells at massive scale. You will work closely with our existing Texturing Process Engineering team to ensure world-class equipment performance reliability and uptime. While the process team focuses on surface morphology light trapping and cell efficiency you will be the hardware owner responsible for tool availability stability and scaling to support our ambitious goals.

Your work will form the backbone of theStarlinknetwork (photons of sunlight in is directly proportional to photons of data out to customers!) and help provide internet to tens of millions of customers all around the world. You will spearhead state of the art production equipment for an internal solar cell production line providing high efficiency and high-quality solar cells for both our latest generationStarlinksatellites and for Starship missions to the Moon and Mars.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work with facilities and process engineering teams to install qualify maintain and continuously improve high-throughput texturingand precleanequipment for heterojunction silicon solar cellmanufacturing
• Drive equipment reliability and uptime to support very large volume production with minimal downtime. Run experiments and analyze data to improve capacity (UPH) reduce tool-to-tool variation and improve defect performance
• Develop and execute robust preventive and predictive maintenance strategies spare parts programs and tool matching protocols for high-volume manufacturing
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions on all equipment-related issues including chemical delivery systems pumps filtration temperature control robotics/automation wet benches and exhaust/abatement systems
• Partner closely with Process Engineers to implement new process requirements on existing and future equipment platforms
• Evaluate and select next-generation high-throughput texturing tools capable of supporting 1GW per tool scale production
• Work with vendors on equipment design improvements upgrades and custom solutions tailored to heterojunction solar cell requirements
• Establish equipment performance metrics (OEE MTBF MTTR) and implement statistical process control for hardware stability
• Ensure all equipment meets cleanroom safety and high-reliability manufacturing standards
• Analyze production processes and machinery from a first principles physics-based approach
• Attend meetings to communicate factory state to leadership with respect to the teams equipment

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering Chemical Engineering Materials Science or related technical discipline
• 5 years of hands-on experience owning and maintaining chemical process equipment in a high-volume semiconductor solar manufacturing or related environment
• Experience handling flammable toxic corrosive and/or hazardous chemicals and gases safely

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 7 years of hands-on experience owning and maintaining chemical process equipment in a high-volume semiconductor or solar manufacturing environment
• Strong technical expertise in chemical delivery systems wet process equipment pumps filtration temperature control hardware robotics and automation
• Demonstrated success improving equipment uptime and reliability in a 24/7 high-volume production setting
• Experience with heterojunction (HJT) silicon solar cell manufacturing equipment
• Previous work at high-volume solar semiconductor or display manufacturing facilities (multi-GW or 300mm fab experience is a plus)
• Deep knowledge of texturing tool architecture and subsystems
• Experience with chemical concentration control bath lifetime optimization rinse systems dryer systems and particle control
• Experience with electro-pneumatic robot and transfer module systems
• Experience with hazardous chemical delivery handling and abatement systems
• Experience scaling equipment from pilot to very high volume production
• Proficiency with statistical tools (JMP Minitab) failure analysis techniques and reliability engineering principles
• Strong project management skills with the ability to drive complex equipment installations and qualifications
• Familiarity with high-reliability manufacturing standards for aerospace applications

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to work extended hours and weekends as needed to support production and urgent equipment downtimesituations
• Ability to lift 25 lbs unassisted work in cleanroom environments and move between multiple production areas
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally to vendor sites (up to 20%)

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident (aka green card holder) (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157 or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. 1158 or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race color religion gender national origin/ethnicity veteran status disability status age sexual orientation gender identity marital status mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceXs Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to.