Supplier Development Engineer, Photovoltaics (Starlink)

The role

This role drives end-to-end supplier development and manufacturing bring-up for the photovoltaic supply chain. The person will manage supplier selection, equipment selection, and process engineering to support high-volume module production.

What you will do

• Own end-to-end supplier development and manufacturing bring-up for the photovoltaic supply chain
• Engage early with suppliers on selection, equipment selection, and process engineering
• Lead the bring-up of solar cell manufacturing lines and support upstream supply chain development
• Assess supplier manufacturing capabilities for solar cell fabrication and upstream silicon processes
• Lead NPI activities, PPAP, FAI, production rate ramps, and qualification campaigns
• Develop and execute qualification plans for material quality and module performance
• Implement AI solutions for process control, defect detection, and yield optimization
• Create and standardize qualification protocols including FAT and SAT
• Drive supplier performance improvement through Lean methodologies and audits
• Perform reactive quality engineering support using 8D and 5-Why methodologies

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in materials science, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, or a other engineering discipline
• 1+ years of experience in solar photovoltaic manufacturing, crystalline silicon supply chain, or supplier development
• Ability to travel up to 30% of the time, both domestically and internationally

Nice to have

• 3+ years of experience in solar photovoltaic manufacturing, crystalline silicon supply chain, or supplier development
• Strong technical background in solar cell fabrication and upstream silicon processes
• Hands-on experience bringing up solar cell manufacturing lines, with preference for advanced high-efficiency technologies such as Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (TOPCon), Heterojunction Technology (H
• Deep knowledge of crystalline silicon photovoltaic processes
• Experience with production part approval process (PPAP), advanced product quality planning (APQP), design failure mode and effects analysis (DFMEA), and process failure mode and effects analysis (PFME
• Strong understanding of manufacturing capability assessment, yield improvement, and scaling high-volume photovoltaic production
• Familiarity with relevant industry standards including International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61215, IEC 61730, and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 1703
• Strong problem-solving skills using structured root cause analysis methods and statistical tools such as Minitab, design of experiments (DOE), and Six Sigma
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams and suppliers in a fast-paced, high-growth environment

Before you apply

• Applicant 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 the required authorizations from

About the company

SpaceX is developing technologies to enable human life on Mars. The company was founded on the belief that a future where humanity explores the stars is fundamentally more exciting.