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Pecvd Process Engineer Jobs in Austin, TX (NOW HIRING)

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Pecvd Process Engineer information

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How much do pecvd process engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for pecvd process engineer in Austin, TX is $91,209.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,800.00 and $102,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a PECVD process engineer?

To thrive as a PECVD Process Engineer, you need a solid background in materials science, semiconductor processing, and chemical engineering, often supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with PECVD equipment, process characterization tools (such as ellipsometry, SEM, and profilometry), and statistical process control systems is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are essential soft skills in this role. These competencies are crucial for optimizing process performance, ensuring high product quality, and driving innovation in semiconductor manufacturing environments.

What are some common challenges a PECVD process engineer faces when optimizing thin film deposition processes?

PECVD Process Engineers often encounter challenges such as achieving uniform film thickness across large substrates, minimizing defects, and maintaining process stability over long production runs. Balancing deposition rate, film quality, and equipment throughput requires careful tuning of process parameters like gas flow, pressure, and plasma power. Collaboration with equipment maintenance teams and R&D is essential to resolve issues quickly and implement process improvements. Staying up-to-date with advancements in materials and plasma technology also plays a key role in overcoming these challenges.

What is a PECVD process engineer?

PECVD Process Engineers are specialists who develop, optimize, and maintain Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) processes used in semiconductor manufacturing and related industries. They work with advanced equipment to deposit thin films on substrates, ensuring uniformity and high-quality results. Their responsibilities include process troubleshooting, equipment maintenance, and collaborating with other engineers to improve film performance and yield. PECVD Process Engineers play a critical role in producing microelectronic devices and other components requiring precise material deposition.
What job categories do people searching Pecvd Process Engineer jobs in Austin, TX look for? The top searched job categories for Pecvd Process Engineer jobs in Austin, TX are:
What cities near Austin, TX are hiring for Pecvd Process Engineer jobs? Cities near Austin, TX with the most Pecvd Process Engineer job openings:

Sr. Solar Cell Reliability Engineer (Starlink)

SpaceX

Bastrop, TX • On-site

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago


SpaceX rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 147 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 71 rated aerospace companies


Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
SR. SOLAR CELL RELIABILITY ENGINEER (STARLINK)
Starlink believes in providing fast, reliable internet to those that need it most. We design, build, and launch the world's largest and most advanced satellite constellation that is capable of delivering high-speed internet to even the most remote locations. As we vertically integrate critical hardware, we are building and scaling heterojunction (HJT) solar cell production to power spacecraft and constellation assets with higher efficiency, lower mass, and proven reliability in the space environment.
We are looking for a Sr. Solar Cell Reliability Engineer who will own the reliability lab and the end-to-end reliability story for our solar cells in space-from wafer and cell process through module integration, environmental qualification, on-orbit performance, and continuous improvement back into manufacturing. Your work will ensure our solar cells deliver unmatched power density and durability for Starship, Starlink, AI Sat, and deep-space missions. Your work will form the backbone of the Starlink network (photons of sunlight in is directly proportional to photons of data out to customers!) and help provide internet to tens of millions of customers all around the world.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Own and operate the solar cell reliability lab: equipment strategy, capability roadmap, calibration, maintenance, safety, throughput, and data integrity for HJT cell and coupon reliability testing
  • Define, execute, and continuously improve the space reliability test matrix for HJT solar cells (e.g., thermal cycling, thermal vacuum, humidity/damp heat as applicable, UV/photo-stability, reverse bias / hotspot, mechanical shock/vibration at cell/coupon level, radiation exposure coordination, and accelerated life tests)
  • Build and own the reliability narrative for flight and program reviews: failure modes, physics of failure, acceleration models, life predictions, margins, and acceptance/qualification logic that ties lab data to on-orbit performance
  • Partner with HJT process and equipment engineering (texturing, PECVD/a-Si stacks, TCO, metallization, module integration) to link process parameters, metrology, and in-line defects to reliability outcomes; drive corrective actions and design-for-reliability changes
  • Establish reliability gates for process changes, tool qualifications, material substitutions, and supplier changes; own risk assessment (FMEA/PFMEA interfaces), sampling plans, and release criteria
  • Develop and maintain test methods, SOPs, fixturing, and automation for high-throughput, statistically defensible reliability characterization; ensure methods are transferable and auditable
  • Lead root cause analysis on reliability failures (electrical, optical, interfacial, mechanical, environmental) using SEM/FIB, EDS, FTIR, PL/EL, IV, quantum efficiency, adhesion, and other failure-analysis techniques; close the loop with manufacturing and design
  • Define and track reliability KPIs (e.g., degradation rates, wear-out distributions, infant mortality, lot-to-lot variation, correlation of accelerated tests to flight-like stress) and report status to leadership with clear recommendations
  • Interface with power systems, structures, thermal, radiation effects, quality, and flight reliability teams so cell-level reliability is coherent with array/module and spacecraft environments
  • Support flight anomaly investigation and on-orbit performance trending; update models and test strategies as flight data matures.
  • Mentor technicians and junior engineers; set lab culture for rigor, speed, and honest interpretation of data
  • Author and present technical content for design reviews, production readiness reviews, and customer/internal reliability packages as required

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
  • 5+ years of experience in chemical engineering, materials science, electrical engineering, physics, or mechanical engineering in design, analysis, and/or system implementation

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Master's degree or Ph.D. in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, environmental, or related technical discipline (especially in PV, thin-film devices, reliability physics, or space power systems)
  • 7+ years of hands-on experience in solar cell, PV module, semiconductor device, or aerospace hardware reliability (internship/co-op experience may count toward this if highly relevant and hands-on)
  • Experience designing, running, or analyzing accelerated environmental or reliability tests and interpreting degradation / failure data
  • Proficiency with data analysis (e.g., Python, MATLAB, JMP, R, or equivalent) and comfort with statistics (distributions, confidence bounds, DOE basics)
  • Ability to work full-time on-site in a production and lab environment
  • Strong understanding of vacuum systems, plasma physics, sputtering dynamics, and thin-film characterization techniques (e.g., XRD, SEM, Hall effect)
  • Hands-on experience with PV metrology tools (eg. Sinton lifetime, EL/PL) and reliability testing
  • Experience with SPC, DoE, and lean manufacturing principles
  • Self-motivated with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills
  • Experience with solar cell manufacturing equipment, such as wet chemical processing equipment, PE-CVD equipment, PVD machines, metallization and final test equipment, and wafer inspection equipment. Experience in evaporation tools and ALD tools are a plus

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Ability to travel frequently for work, potentially for extended periods of time during machine buyoffs and startup
  • Ability to lift 25 lbs. unassisted
  • Lifting, standing, climbing, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying are generally required to perform the functions of this position
  • Willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed

ITAR 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. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX's Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.

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About SpaceX

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Industry

Aerospace product and parts manufacturing, data services, guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and satellite telecommunications

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Hawthorne, CA, US