Title: Solar Power Module Responsible Engineer

Location: Greater Seattle Area | Central Texas | Denver, CO | Los Angeles, CA

Position Type: Full time

Requisition ID: R63245

Description:

Application close date:

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

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.

As part of a hardworking team of specialists, technicians, and engineers, you will lead the design and development of next-generation photovoltaic assemblies for spacecraft and constellation programs. This is a clean-sheet opportunity within our Advanced Concepts & Enterprise Engineering (ACE) group, where you will own the full development cycle from concept and design through manufacturing, test, and flight-ready hardware. You will make real decisions on photovoltaic module design, manufacturing processes and automation, test philosophy and execution - and you will see those decisions become hardware quickly. This is not a sustaining engineering role. The ideal candidate has the ability to work across electrical, mechanical, thermal, optical, and manufacturing domains. You will have real technical authority, lab access, and the organizational support to execute at a pace that matches your ambition.

Special Mentions:

• Relocation provided
• Travel expected up to 15% of the time
• Interviews will include a technical assessment

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead design and development of space-grade photovoltaic assemblies from concept through flight-qualified hardware
• Define string layouts, voltage architecture, and electrical interfaces optimized for performance, low cost, and high manufacturability
• Develop and own manufacturing processes for solar panel production, incorporating applicable approaches from terrestrial solar where advantageous
• Perform and lead electrical characterization and testing of solar cells, strings, and modules
• Drive design trade studies across electrical, mechanical, thermal, optical, and cost dimensions and make decisions based on findings
• Develop test methodologies to characterize degradation and validate end-of-life performance predictions
• Partner with systems, structures, thermal, and power electronics teams to deliver integrated power solutions

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field
• 5+ years experience in high reliability and/or harsh environment hardware development
• Hands-on experience in solar device or optoelectronic hardware development
• Working knowledge of photovoltaic power generation, including III-V and silicon solar cells, cell interconnects, and module assembly.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 3+ years of direct experience in space solar array design, development, and testing
• Hands-on experience with flexible and/or deployable solar arrays, such as rolling or folding configurations
• Detailed knowledge of CIC stringing and laydown, panel and wing assembly, harness and interconnect design, and acceptance and qualification testing
• Familiarity with terrestrial solar panel design and high-rate manufacturing processes

Compensation Range for:

CA applicants is $130,706.00 - $182,987.70CO applicants is $119,814.00 - $167,738.55WA applicants is $130,706.00 - $182,987.70

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.

• Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.

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. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. 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. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on “Know Your Rights,” please see here.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.