Senior R&D Technician, Space PV Prototyping

The role

You will build prototype solar devices for spacecraft on ultrathin and flexible substrates. This involves preparing substrates, running deposition, coating and patterning tools, laminating covers, and measuring results.

What you will do

• Clean, inspect, photograph and log substrates
• Keep accurate inventory of limited, high-value materials
• Load and run sputter and evaporation processes
• Coat and thermally process device layers to fixed recipes
• Set up and run laser patterning steps
• Inspect results under a microscope and measure electrical isolation
• Laminate cover materials and inspect for voids and edge-seal quality
• Perform routine metrology including sheet-resistance mapping and current-voltage measurement
• Keep run logs and per-part travelers
• Build, label, mount and wire coupon sets for test campaigns

Required qualifications

• Steady hands and patience for delicate manual work
• Meticulous documentation habits
• Follows written procedures exactly
• Problem-solving orientation and ability to work autonomously once trained
• Adaptability across a wide range of laboratory tasks
• Comfortable with basic laboratory arithmetic, unit conversion, and reading a specification or drawing
• Ability to work in a cleanroom environment while wearing required PPE and gowning
• Working on your feet for extended periods
• Occasionally lifting, carrying, or moving materials weighing up to approximately 25 pounds
• Safely working in laboratory and manufacturing environments where solvents, chemicals, and Class 4 laser systems may be present

Nice to have

• Laboratory, cleanroom, semiconductor, display or precision manufacturing background, including handling thin glass, silicon wafers or display panels
• Operation of vacuum systems, thermal evaporation or sputter deposition, solution coating (blade or slot-die), or laser tools
• Experience in an ISO 9001, AS9100 or similarly controlled environment, or with fine assembly, soldering, precision dispensing or hermetic sealing

Before you apply

• This position may require access to technology and/or technical data subject to U.S. export-control laws

About the company

Tandem PV is pioneering the next generation of solar technology through high-efficiency, mechanically stacked perovskite-silicon tandem panels. Headquartered in Fremont, California, the company has grown to approximately 65 employees.