Senior Research Engineer - Photovoltaics

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. We're 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 Origin's 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.

As part of a hardworking team of specialists, technicians, and engineers, you will push the frontier of space photovoltaics-transforming breakthrough ideas into reliable, flight-ready power for space missions. You will design and interpret rigorous tests, distill complex data into clear design rules, and collaborate across disciplines to turn insight into manufacturable solutions. Your work will directly shape the performance and longevity of our solar arrays in orbit.

• Relocation provided
• Travel expected up to 25% of the time
• Interviews will include a technical assessment

• Characterize PV cells and materials: IV/QE, temperature coefficients, EL/PL imaging, defect analysis
• Model and test LEO environment impacts (radiation TID, AO/UV, thermal cycling) on cell performance
• Specify cover glass/coatings/encapsulants and evaluate adhesion, CTE, and out gassing compatibility
• Develop interconnect metallization and ribbon/busbar designs to minimize resistive loss and hotspots
• Define supplier screening and lot acceptance protocols; quantify variability and degradation
• Design experiments and test matrices; analyze data; publish design rules and correlations
• Collaborate with REs and Manufacturing to translate findings into panel designs and processes
• Lead materials down-select trades; maintain material specs and qualification evidence
• Drive RCCA for PV anomalies; maintain FRACAS for device-level issues
• Mentor junior researchers; maintain lab best practices and metrology calibration plans
• Work effectively in a scrappy cross-disciplinary R&D environment with a geographically distributed team

• PhD in Physics/EE/Mat Sci with 8+ years, or MS with 10+ years in PV device research (space focus)
• Expertise in IV/QE, temperature coefficients, EL/PL imaging, defect/parametric analysis
• Radiation (TID/DDD), AO/UV, thermal cycling testing and modeling for LEO; data correlation
• Coverglass/coatings/encapsulants selection; adhesion/CTE/out gassing compatibility
• Interconnect metallization and ribbon/busbar design to reduce resistive loss/hotspots
• Supplier screening and lot acceptance protocols; variability/degradation quantification
• DOE/test matrix design; publish design rules; maintain metrology calibration

• PhD with 12+ years; publication record in space PV; leadership of multipartner research
• Experience applying AIAA S111A Space Solar Cell Testing standard
• AO/UV exposure facility experience; ASTM/IEC/ECSS test methods; JEDEC radiation practices
• Strong collaboration with manufacturing to translate findings into stable processes

Compensation Range for: CA applicants is $-$; CO applicants is $-$; WA applicants is $-$

Don't 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 you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway.

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