Principal Space Solar Mechanical Engineer

Description

Hanwha Qcells is building its first U.S.

-based Space Photovoltaic Systems R&D organization, co-located with Georgia Tech in Atlanta. The Principal Space Solar Mechanical Engineer will determine how our perovskite-silicon tandem cells survive launch and live in orbit. You will own the mechanical architecture from substrate and bonding system design through structural qualification and lead the mechanical materials characterization that defines reliability margins for long-life space missions.

The Principal Space Solar Mechanical Engineer is a principal-level individual contributor who sets the mechanical architecture. You will perform studies and work with partners to determine what substrates cells bond to, how they are bonded, how the structural assembly responds to launch loads, and how it stays intact across a mission lifetime.

Qcells' perovskite-silicon tandem cells are thinner and more mechanically sensitive than conventional space cells, integrated on platforms ranging from rigid CFRP honeycomb to flexible polyimide or woven fabric. This work demands deep materials and structural engineering expertise — and the ability to build hardware and test it, not just model it.

Substrate & Panel Architecture — Technical Ownership

• Define and own the substrate and panel mechanical architecture: evaluate, select, and qualify substrate platforms including rigid CFRP honeycomb, flexible polyimide/PEEK, and woven/fabric structures — assessing CTE compatibility, out gassing compliance (ASTM E595, NASA-STD-6016), radiation stability, and manufacturability
• Define the panel-level structural configuration: cell layout and density, panel frame and edge seal design, cover glass or protective layer integration, and mechanical interface to the spacecraft structure
• Establish and maintain mechanical design standards, design rules, and mass/stiffness/CTE budget frameworks for the module program

Cell Bonding Systems — Technical Ownership

• Design and own the cell bonding system: select adhesive chemistry, define bond line geometry and cure process, specify inspection criteria, and lead trade studies across bonding approaches — silicone, epoxy, thin-film, lamination, and direct integration (welding, sintering)
• Develop and own the assembly process for cell integration: surface preparation protocols, adhesive dispensing and placement methods, cure monitoring, and process qualification documentation
• Establish bonding quality acceptance criteria and evaluation methods: shear and peel strength testing, cross-section analysis (optical, SEM), thermal cycling endurance, and adhesion retention testing

Structural & Thermal-Mechanical Analysis

• Perform and own structural analysis for the full launch environment — random vibration, sinusoidal sweep, shock, and quasi-static accelerations; lead or directly execute FEA (ANSYS/Abaqus), define analysis methodology, and correlate models to test data
• Define and execute CTE mismatch and thermal-mechanical fatigue analysis for bonded cell-substrate systems: predict delamination risk, cycle life, and bond line stress evolution; develop mission-lifetime reliability predictions and test-to-analysis correlation plans
• Serve as the team's structural authority at design reviews, qualification reviews, and partner technical meetings

Hardware Build & Environmental Test

• Design and build prototype and qualification test article hardware — personally executing cell bonding, coupon fabrication, and panel-level assembly at the bench; design test fixtures and environmental test configurations for TVAC, vibration, shock, and mechanical load campaigns
• Lead or provide senior technical direction for mechanical aspects of environmental test campaigns: test level derivation, data acquisition setup, real-time monitoring criteria, and post-test inspection protocol
• Lead failure analysis on mechanical anomalies: optical and electron microscopy, cross-section preparation and analysis, root cause determination, and corrective design or process development

Radiation Degradation Research — Mechanical Materials Characterization

• Design and lead the mechanical materials characterization…