Principal Solar Process Engineer

The role

You will define how K2 selects, qualifies, and scales manufacturing processes for solar array systems. You will own the implementation of material systems and novel manufacturing processes for solar array design and production.

What you will do

• Develop, qualify, and optimize solar array processes including interconnects, bonding, sintering, lamination, deposition, coating, and surface treatment
• Research and select conventional and novel processes for solar array applications
• Design and execute structured DOE and statistical analyses
• Use physics-based characterization to identify variation and yield improvement opportunities
• Lead failure analysis, defect characterization, and root cause investigations
• Establish and drive corrective action plans
• Evaluate, perform cost/benefit analysis, and select manufacturing equipment
• Collaborate with production to develop specifications, work instructions, and tests
• Define qualification criteria and test envelopes for various environments
• Partner with solar structures, thermal, avionics, and production teams

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in materials science, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, aerospace engineering, or a related technical discipline
• 8+ years of experience in materials and process engineering
• Demonstrated depth in material selection, characterization, qualification, and production-scale process development
• Demonstrated track record of material and process decisions validated through flight or equivalent high-reliability hardware programs

Nice to have

• Master's degree or PhD in materials science, chemical engineering, or related field
• Prior experience architecting manufacturing processes for solar array systems across the full development lifecycle
• Hands-on experience across multiple solar array material systems
• Deep working knowledge of adhesive systems, composites, thin films, thermal interface materials, and coatings
• Working knowledge of AIAA S111/S112, SMC-S-016, NASA-STD-4005, NASA-STD-5017, and NASA-STD-6016
• Understanding of radiation effects on solar cell and module materials
• Depth across solar process disciplines including deposition, chemical etching, encapsulant deposition, corrosion control, outgassing, statistics, and failure analysis
• Hands-on proficiency with material characterization tools: SEM, EDS, FTIR, DSC, TGA, XRD, or equivalent
• Experience scaling manufacturing processes from prototype to high-rate production
• Python or MATLAB proficiency

Benefits

• Paid time off
• Medical/dental/vision coverage
• Life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Many other perks

Before you apply

• Must be a U.S. person as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license

About the company

K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown. They are mass-producing high-power satellite platforms for missions from LEO to deep space.