Test Engineer (Solar Chemistry) - Space Solar

The role

You will plan, build, and execute tests to validate materials and chemistry for perovskite solar cells. You will stand up test stands and characterization workflows to connect chemistry decisions to device performance, stability, and lifetime.

What you will do

• Execute test campaigns characterizing perovskite materials, films, and devices
• Build and operate test setups for solution-processed thin-film characterization
• Run stability and degradation tests under controlled environmental conditions and analyze degradation pathways
• Partner with materials and polymer chemistry teams to design experiments
• Build data acquisition and analysis workflows for high-throughput characterization
• Investigate test anomalies and degradation failures
• Write and execute test procedures and contribute to qualification reports
• Simplify test setups and eliminate redundant verification

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, applied physics, electrical engineering, or a related discipline
• 1+ years of hands-on experience characterizing thin-film, optoelectronic, or photovoltaic materials and devices
• Hands-on experience with materials and device characterization techniques
• Ability to interpret electrical, optical, and chemical data

Nice to have

• Master's or PhD in a relevant discipline with research experience on perovskite, thin-film PV, or related optoelectronic materials
• Direct experience with perovskite device characterization — IV, EQE, hysteresis analysis, photoluminescence, time-resolved spectroscopy
• Hands-on experience with stability and degradation testing — moisture/oxygen control, thermal cycling, UV exposure, light soaking, accelerated aging
• Familiarity with solution-processed deposition methods and the connection between processing conditions and device performance
• Experience building or operating glovebox-based test setups and characterization workflows
• Proficiency with LabVIEW, Python, MATLAB, or equivalent for data acquisition and analysis
• Familiarity with statistical analysis of test data, design of experiments (DOE), or high-throughput screening workflows
• Familiarity with aerospace test standards (e.g., GEVS, AIAA S-111/S-112 for solar cells) and accelerated life testing for space-grade hardware
• Exposure to aerospace, space, or other high-reliability hardware environments

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, and retirement plans
• Paid time off, holidays, and flexible policies
• Professional growth opportunities through training and development
• The chance to own high-impact work that directly shapes the future of robotics & space!
• A collaborative, mission-driven culture where craftsmanship and innovation are celebrated

Before you apply

• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Depar

About the company

Starpath develops and manufactures technologies to enable humans to live on the Moon and Mars. They are building robotic systems to locally produce water, power, and oxygen.