Space Photovoltaics Engineer/Scientist

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

Physical Sciences Laboratories (PSL) support the effective and timely development and operation of national security systems through scientific research and the application of advanced technologies. PSL has more than 150 specialized laboratories used to test, analyze, and troubleshoot virtually every aspect of rocket and satellite system design, development, construction, deployment, and operation. The expertise of the laboratories’ technical staff allows PSL to stay abreast of new technological developments and program support issues associated with rapidly evolving space systems.

The Energy Technology Department (ETD) in PSL provides expert technical assistance for space solar cell and solar array technology used on a broad range of spacecrafts and leads the community by conducting basic and applied research in characterizing photovoltaic devices and understanding how they degrade in the space environment. Our advanced characterization techniques and dedication to precision and accuracy support our national security and civil and commercial space customers with reliable data to predict the performance and degradation of their solar arrays in the harsh environment of space.

As a Member of Technical Staff or Senior Member of Technical Staff, you will be responsible for leading efforts to develop techniques, tools, capabilities, and prototypes for evaluating and assessing next generation spacecraft solar cell and solar array technology for national security space programs. You will collaborate with industry partners and program offices to ensure the success of critical space missions by evaluating and understanding the relevant properties of different components of the solar array and how they degrade in the relevant space environment.

Highlights of our lab’s capabilities can be seen here: Virtual Tour

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA.

What You’ll Be Doing

You will be supporting the development and characterization of advanced solar array technologies for national space missions:

• Design and perform experiments that directly impact the direction of space photovoltaic and solar array technology for space missions.
• Apply hands-on engineering and scientific methods to support design and development of characterization capabilities for advanced space photovoltaic technologies.
• Apply practical experience in test and measurement to characterize photovoltaic devices and develop procedures.
• Contribute to data management, software analysis, and modeling tools.
• Communicate technical findings through presentations, reports, and documentation to colleagues, management, and customers.
• Senior MTS, additionally: independently plan and conduct work, devise new approaches to problems encountered, and engage with inter-organizational teams and outside customers on matters of technical importance.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the Member of Technical Staff

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university program in physics, electrical engineering, materials science, or a related STEM field.
• 2 or more years of experience in photovoltaics research or device physics characterization.
• Experience with photovoltaics characterization techniques such as quantum efficiency, IV measurements, or electroluminescence.
• Experience operating laboratory instrumentation relevant to photovoltaics characterization.
• Demonstrated ability to independently evaluate and apply engineering techniques using judgment to meet assignment objectives.
• Experience with common data analysis tools (e.g., Python, MATLAB, Origin).
• Willing to travel occasionally (approximately 10%) to customer sites or professional conferences.
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for the Senior Member of Technical Staff include:

• 5 or more years of experience in photovoltaics research or device physics characterization.
• Experience with two or more laboratory instruments relevant to photovoltaics characterization.
• Demonstrated ability to independently plan and conduct technical work, devising new approaches to problems as needed.
• Track record of engaging with inter-organizational teams and external customers on matters of technical importance.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal teams and external customers.

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Master’s or Ph.D. degree from an accredited college/university program in physics, electrical engineering, materials science, or a related STEM field.
• Experience investigating radiation and space environmental effects in photovoltaic materials such as Si, III-V, perovskites, CdTe, CIGS, or other power generation technologies.
• Developed advanced characterization techniques that provided deeper understanding of how energy generation systems perform and degrade.
• Demonstrated experience developing laboratory test capabilities through hardware/software integration (LabVIEW, Python, C++, Arduino).
• Developed software implementing new methods or models to better examine and understand photovoltaic or other energy generation systems.
• Experience with common database tools such as MongoDB, InfluxDB, PostgreSQL, or S3.
• Experience with on-orbit telemetry analysis and data processing.
• Hands-on experience in solar array or solar cell manufacturing and production.
• Exposure to data analysis or basic AI/ML techniques (e.g., Python-based scripts or open-source libraries) through coursework, academic projects, or early research experience, with interest in applying these to device characterization or test data.

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business.  The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below.  Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.

(Min - Max)

$86,600.00 - $129,800.00

Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

• Operate Strategically
• Lead Change   
• Engage with Impact   
• Foster Innovation   
• Deliver Results  

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type.  A few highlights include:

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans

• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options

• 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire

• Flexible spending accounts

• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions

• Relocation assistance

• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career

• Education assistance programs

• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.