Reliability Engineer - Photovoltaics

A day in the life

As a Reliability Engineer at Swift, you’ll drive cell-package interactions and module-level reliability, addressing the challenges of a first-generation technology moving from concept through certification and toward manufacturing.

On a typical day, you might schedule and execute reliability tests on tandem mini-modules and full modules—spanning environmental, thermomechanical, and accelerated life tests such as damp heat, thermal cycling, UV, and outdoor exposure—then evaluate the results. You might perform failure analysis on tandem modules, design a non-standard accelerated stress protocol to reproduce a field failure, or coordinate third-party testing with external labs.

You’ll contribute a reliability perspective, collaborate with the Product Management team on lifetime modeling, and develop hypotheses you communicate clearly to the Materials R&D, Process Engineering, and Product Development teams. As an early hire, you’ll help shape how the reliability function operates as the team grows and interacts with every part of the company along the way.

• Drive cell-package interactions and module-level reliability from concept through certification to manufacturing for a first-generation technology.
• Schedule and execute reliability tests on tandem mini-modules and full modules, including environmental, thermomechanical, and accelerated life tests (damp heat, thermal cycling, UV, outdoor exposure).
• Perform failure analysis and design non-standard accelerated stress protocols to reproduce field failures; coordinate third-party testing with external labs.
• Contribute reliability insights to lifetime modeling; communicate hypotheses to Materials R&D, Process Engineering, and Product Development teams.
• Help shape the reliability function as the team grows, collaborating across the organization.

• 3–5 years of experience in PV module reliability, spanning from R&D to third-party validation and certification.
• Ability to diagnose failure mechanisms and translate findings into data-driven insights for cross-functional teams.
• Experience working with external testing labs to define and complete testing.
• Solid understanding of PV cell and module device physics.
• Proven ability to work well with cross-functional teams (R&D, Product Development, Engineering, Manufacturing), with strong communication and empathy.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis software (e.g., JMP) and applying statistics to reliability analysis.

• Experience with more than one PV cell type.
• Experience developing non-standard accelerated testing protocols for a first-generation technology.
• Familiarity with reliability engineering tools (FMEA, 8D, RCA, DFR).
• Experience sourcing reliability test equipment.
• An understanding of why solving climate change is an urgent and critical challenge.
• Genuine enthusiasm for startup challenges.

• Compensation:
  Competitive package including salary, equity, and benefits
• Expected Pay Range: $110,000 - $150,000 per year
• Actual offer will be determined by relevant experience, skills, and qualifications
• Ideal start date:
  July–August 2026
• Job type:
  Full-time

• Work with purpose:
  Join our mission to unlock the full potential of solar energy and make a global impact.
• Lead with innovation:
  Be part of an extraordinary team building cutting-edge solar technology with a growth mindset and culture.
• Thrive with benefits:
  Health plan options, 401(k) matching, commuter benefits, and meaningful equity.
• Invest in your career:
  Opportunities to attend conferences and take online courses with knowledge sharing across the team.

We recognize that candidates from underrepresented backgrounds often hesitate to apply if they don’t meet all the criteria. If you’re excited about this role and believe you can contribute to our team, we encourage you to apply—even if you don’t meet every qualification listed.