Manufacturing Engineer - Solar Module Manufacturing

Job description

**The Company:** Solestial is pioneering the future of space-based solar power by developing advanced solar technologies optimized for the harsh conditions of space. Our innovative, low-cost, and scalable solar arrays are engineered for next-generation satellites, spacecraft, and orbital infrastructure. We are driven by a mission to power the space economy and unlock limitless opportunities in orbit and beyond. **The Role:** As a **Manufacturing** **Engineer – Solar Module Manufacturing**, you will develop, optimize, and implement the materials and manufacturing processes used to build Solestial’s solar modules. You will work closely with Product/ Process Engineering, Manufacturing, Equipment, and Quality teams to translate module designs into reliable, repeatable, and scalable production processes. ### Your Mission: - Develop, optimize, and create manufacturing processes & documentation for solar module assembly and integration. - Collaborate with design engineering in the evaluation and selection of materials, including polymers, adhesives, thermal interface materials, and electrical insulation materials. - Translate product and design requirements into practical manufacturing processes, work instructions, and process specifications. - Plan and execute process trials, experiments, and qualification activities to improve yield, quality, reliability, and manufacturability. - Coordinate materials characterization, process validation, design verification, and hardware qualification testing. - Troubleshoot materials, process, and integration issues in partnership with Manufacturing, Product, Equipment, and Quality teams. - Support the transfer of new module designs and processes from development into production. - Develop process controls, acceptance criteria, and standard methodologies that ensure consistent, high-quality module production. - Support supplier selection, material qualification, and ongoing supplier improvement efforts. - Identify opportunities to improve process capability, cycle time, cost, and scalability as production grows. - Create and source customer packaging designs. ### What You Bring: - Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field. - At least 5 years of experience in process engineering, materials engineering, or manufacturing engineering, preferably within the solar, semiconductor, aerospace, or advanced manufacturing industries. - Hands-on experience developing, optimizing, and implementing manufacturing processes for complex hardware or assemblies. - Strong knowledge of materials selection, characterization, and testing, particularly polymers, adhesives, thermal interface materials, and electrical insulation materials. - Experience translating product requirements into manufacturing processes, material specifications, process specifications, and work instructions. - Experience with process validation, qualification testing, troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and continuous improvement. - Ability to use structured process-development tools such as DOE, SPC, process capability analysis, and PFMEA. - Experience supporting the transfer of new products or processes from development into manufacturing. - Familiarity with supplier selection, material qualification, supplier development, and ongoing performance evaluation. - Strong cross-functional communication skills and the ability to work effectively with Product, Manufacturing, Equipment, and Quality teams. ### What Gives You an Edge: - Experience with solar cell or solar module manufacturing, assembly, and integration. - Background in semiconductor, photovoltaic, aerospace, or other high-reliability manufacturing environments. - Hands-on experience with module integration processes such as bonding, lamination, encapsulation, interconnection, thermal management, or insulation. - Experience scaling new materials and processes from development through qualification and production. - Familiarity with spaceflight hardware requirements, environmental testing, and qualification standards. - A practical, hands-on approach to troubleshooting and a willingness to work directly with equipment, materials, and production teams. - Comfort operating in a fast-paced environment where processes are still being developed and priorities evolve. ### Our Benefits: - Competitive salary - Generous, high-quality medical, dental, and vision coverage on day one of employment - 15 vacation days, 5 sick days, and 10 paid holidays annually - with an extended holiday break at year’s end - 401K with employer match up to 4% of salary - Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability and employer-sponsored life insurance - Your work will literally **go to space!**