Test Engineer (Solar Chemistry) - Space Solar

Test Engineer – (Solar Chemistry) - Space SolarPosition Details Location: Los Angeles (Hawthorne), CA Employment Type: Full-time Department: Starlight Solar Travel: OccasionalAbout Starpath Starpath develops and manufactures the technologies that will enable humans to live on the Moon and Mars. Today, we are building robotic systems that locally produce the essential commodities a lunar civilization will require at extreme scale: water, power, and oxygen. Our ultimate goal is to build and operate a self-sustaining city on Mars.The Role The Starlight team is focused on dramatically improving space solar power to support Starpath's core mission and the greater space economy.

Starlight manufactures the lowest cost and highest performance space solar ever, which will power the majority of new satellites built on Earth and all of Starpath's equipment on the Moon and Mars.As a Test Engineer – Solar Chemistry on the Starlight team, you will plan, build, and execute the tests that validate the materials and chemistry behind our perovskite solar cells. You'll stand up the test stands and characterization workflows that connect chemistry decisions to device-level performance, stability, and lifetime — from precursor formulations through finished cells.ResponsibilitiesExecute test campaigns characterizing perovskite materials, films, and devices — including IV, EQE, photoluminescence, stability/degradation testing, and accelerated agingBuild and operate test setups for solution-processed thin-film characterization, including environmental control (moisture, oxygen, temperature, illumination)Run stability and degradation tests under controlled environmental conditions (moisture, oxygen, thermal, UV, light soaking) and analyze degradation pathwaysPartner with the materials and polymer chemistry teams to design experiments that connect chemistry, processing, and device performanceBuild data acquisition and analysis workflows for high-throughput characterization across precursor formulations, deposition conditions, and interface treatmentsInvestigate test anomalies and degradation failures; partner with chemistry and manufacturing engineering to close issuesWrite and execute test procedures and contribute to qualification reportsPush back on unnecessary complexity — simplify test setups, eliminate redundant verification, and cut overhead wherever it doesn't add valueRequired QualificationsBachelor's or advanced degree in chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, applied physics, electrical engineering, or a related discipline1+ years of hands-on experience characterizing thin-film, optoelectronic, or photovoltaic materials and devices (internship and academic research applicable)Hands-on experience with materials and device characterization techniques and the ability to interpret electrical, optical, and chemical dataPreferred QualificationsMaster's or PhD in a relevant discipline with research experience on perovskite, thin-film PV, or related optoelectronic materialsDirect experience with perovskite device characterization — IV, EQE, hysteresis analysis, photoluminescence, time-resolved spectroscopyHands-on experience with stability and degradation testing — moisture/oxygen control, thermal cycling, UV exposure, light soaking, accelerated agingFamiliarity with solution-processed deposition methods and the connection between processing conditions and device performanceExperience building or operating glovebox-based test setups and characterization workflowsProficiency with LabVIEW, Python, MATLAB, or equivalent for data acquisition and analysisFamiliarity with statistical analysis of test data, design of experiments (DOE), or high-throughput screening workflowsFamiliarity with aerospace test standards (e.g., GEVS, AIAA S-111/S-112 for solar cells) and accelerated life testing for space-grade hardwareExposure to aerospace, space, or other high-reliability hardware environmentsCompensation & BenefitsLocation: Los Angeles (Hawthorne), CACompetitive salary plus equity package; compensation scales with candidate experiencePTO & health/dental/vision coverage includedEAR REQUIREMENTS:To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S.

citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C.

§ 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.Equal OpportunityStarpath is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.