Photovoltaic Material and Process Development Engineer II

Photovoltaic (PV) Materials And Process Engineer

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.

At Blue Origin, our mission is to enable a future where millions of people are living and working in space. The Product Formulation team is an innovative, fast-paced group dedicated to developing and maturing next-generation technologies essential for future aerospace missions. We thrive in a results-oriented, prototype-driven, and fail-fast environment. As a Photovoltaic (PV) Materials and Process Engineer, you will contribute to advances in solar cell materialsincluding both traditional silicon and emerging photovoltaicswhile supporting the integration of these cells into high-performance solar power modules (SPMs) for space applications.

Responsibilities:

As a Photovoltaic Materials and Process Engineer, you will support the development of advanced photovoltaic materials and processes for next-generation solar cells and their integration into solar power modules. You will contribute to fundamental research and applied engineering efforts, assist in designing materials solutions, support high-rate thin-film deposition optimization, evaluate cutting-edge annealing techniques, and help enable the transition of innovative cells into reliable, flight-ready modules that meet the rigorous demands of aerospace environments.

• Support research, development, and optimization of advanced PV materialsincluding silicon and next-generation technologiesfor space-grade solar cells.
• Assist in the design, synthesis, and characterization of absorber materials, transport layers, and electrical contacts for high-efficiency, high-reliability photovoltaic devices in extreme space environments.
• Support the development and optimization of both conventional and high-rate thin-film deposition processes, including inkjet printing, slot-die coating, and roll-to-roll methods, with emphasis on rapid prototyping and manufacturability.
• Evaluate and implement advanced annealing techniques (e.g., intense pulsed light/photonic curing, laser annealing) to enhance thin-film and silicon material quality and device performance.
• Fabricate and characterize laboratory-scale solar cells, including both silicon and emerging PV devices; analyze material, electrical, and optical properties using advanced instrumentation.
• Support the integration of photovoltaic cells into solar power modules (SPMs), ensuring mechanical, electrical, and environmental compatibility for aerospace power systems.
• Work closely with module design, systems engineering, and manufacturing teams to support cell-to-module integration, including encapsulation, electrical interconnects, and qualification testing.
• Document experimental and process data thoroughly and support technology transfer activities to manufacturing, following aerospace quality and traceability requirements.
• Contribute to a culture of technical innovation, process safety, and multidisciplinary collaboration within a high-performance engineering environment.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• 2+ years of experience in photovoltaic materials/process R&D OR Ph.D. in a relevant field
• Hands-on experience with PV materialsincluding deposition, processing, and characterization of solar cells
• Experience with thin-film deposition techniques (such as inkjet printing, slot-die coating, sputtering, or evaporation) for semiconductor materials
• Familiarity with annealing techniques for thin-film and/or silicon PV processing
• Basic understanding of photovoltaic cell integration into modules, including electrical and mechanical considerations
• Skills in materials and device characterization techniques (SEM, XRD, UV-Vis, electrical measurements)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Good communication skills and ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• Experience with crystalline and/or thin-film silicon PV processes
• Exposure to emerging PV materials (perovskite, CIGS, CdTe, III-V, organic PV) or multijunction device concepts
• Understanding of process scaling considerations from laboratory to pilot scale
• Knowledge of module reliability testing concepts for aerospace applications
• Experience with advanced characterization techniques (AFM, Hall effect, photoluminescence)
• Familiarity with automated deposition or testing equipment
• Academic publications, conference presentations, or patent applications in PV-related fields

Compensation Range for: WA applicants is $96,310.00-$134,833.65

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement

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. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Export Control Regulations

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check

• Required for all positions: Blue's Standard Background Check
• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation
• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification (obtained before onboarding), Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing (CDL drivers only), vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.
• Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical

Benefits

• Benefits include: Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.
• Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.
• Discretionary bonus: Bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results.
• Eligibility for benefits varies by role type, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicant