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Perovskite Solar Cells Jobs (NOW HIRING)

First Solar

Development Engineer IV

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

Experience with thin-film perovskite solar cells or perovskite integration in an industrial R&D environment is highly preferred but not required. Required Skills/Competencies: * Sputtering & Vacuum ...

First Solar

Development Engineer IV

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

Experience with thin-film perovskite solar cells or perovskite integration in an industrial R&D environment is highly preferred but not required. Required Skills/Competencies: * Sputtering & Vacuum ...

Starpath

Test Engineer - Space Solar

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$110K - $150K/yr

Direct experience testing photovoltaic hardware - solar cells, strings, panels, or arrays - ideally multi-junction (III-V) or perovskite cells for space or other high-reliability applications * Hands ...

First Solar

Development Engineer II

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

Familiarity with solar cells and relevant physics devices. * Experience with reliability and ... Perform material and device research to enhance perovskite film quality at various band gap values ...

First Solar

Development Engineer II

Santa Clara, CA

Familiarity with solar cells and relevant physics devices. * Experience with reliability and ... Perform material and device research to enhance perovskite film quality at various band gap values ...

Active Surfaces

Test Engineer

Woburn, MA · On-site

Expertise in perovskite solar cells and/or organic photovoltaics (OPVs). * Experience with PV module reliability and qualification standards (IEC 61215, 61730) and accelerated aging. * Experience ...

6AM City, LLC

Reliability Engineer IV

California, MO · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Caelux is a pioneering leader in the field of perovskite solar cell technology, committed to ... Experience with solar photovoltaic cells/modules reliability test methods and failure analysis ...

New

Swift Solar

IT Support Engineer

San Carlos, CA

$80K - $110K/yr

Swift Solar's breakthrough perovskite-silicon tandem technology will drive solar power to commanding new heights. Our tandem cells stack a perovskite layer on top of a heterojunction (HJT) silicon ...

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Perovskite Solar Cells information

What is the difference between Perovskite Solar Cells vs Photovoltaic (PV) Technicians?

AspectPerovskite Solar CellsPhotovoltaic (PV) Technicians
Required CredentialsTechnical knowledge of solar cell materials, basic electronics, and lab skillsElectrical or renewable energy certifications, hands-on installation skills
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, development facilities, and testing environmentsInstallation sites, maintenance facilities, and fieldwork
Industry UsageResearch and development of new solar cell technologiesInstallation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of solar panel systems

Perovskite Solar Cells focus on research and development of innovative solar materials, often in labs, while Photovoltaic Technicians primarily install and maintain solar panel systems in the field. Both roles require technical skills but differ in environment and specific expertise.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a perovskite solar cell researcher?

To thrive as a Perovskite Solar Cell Researcher, you need a solid background in materials science, chemistry, or physics, typically backed by an advanced degree (MSc or PhD) in a related field. Experience with laboratory techniques, characterization tools (like XRD, SEM, and UV-Vis spectroscopy), and familiarity with solar cell fabrication and testing are crucial. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective collaboration and communication skills help you excel in interdisciplinary research environments. These skills are vital for driving innovation, ensuring reliable experimental outcomes, and advancing the development of efficient and stable perovskite solar technologies.

What are some common challenges faced by researchers working on perovskite solar cells, and how can new team members best prepare for them?

Researchers in the field of perovskite solar cells often encounter challenges related to material stability, device scalability, and reproducibility of results. The rapid degradation of perovskite materials under moisture, heat, or light exposure requires meticulous lab practices and ongoing optimization of encapsulation techniques. New team members can best prepare by staying current with the latest research, familiarizing themselves with advanced characterization methods, and developing strong collaboration skills to work effectively within interdisciplinary teams. Engaging in regular team meetings and sharing experimental insights helps overcome technical hurdles and accelerates collective progress.

What are perovskite solar cells?

Perovskite solar cells are a type of photovoltaic device that use a perovskite-structured compound as the light-harvesting active layer. These materials are known for their high efficiency, low production costs, and ease of fabrication compared to traditional silicon-based solar cells. Perovskite solar cells have rapidly advanced in performance over the past decade, making them a promising technology for next-generation solar energy. However, challenges such as long-term stability and large-scale manufacturing still need to be addressed before widespread commercial adoption.
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Infographic showing various Perovskite Solar Cells job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Development Engineer IV

First Solar

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago

First Solar rating

6.6

Company rating: 6.6 out of 10

Based on 74 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

455th of 537 rated manufacturers

Job description


First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.
Basic Job Functions:
Perform material and device research to enhance thin film solar cell performance and stability and to reduce manufacturing cost. This individual will serve as the primary Subject Matter Expert (SME) within the California Technology Center (CTC) for advanced sputtering deposition operations, vacuum technology, and thin-film materials development. Responsible for projects or functions that are highly complex, require significant innovation, and are critical to department objectives. Plan, execute, and characterize development engineering experiments in a laboratory environment with strategic foresight, operating in close alignment with Technical Fellows and senior technology leadership.
Essential Responsibilities:
  • Sputtering Technology Ownership: Assume a key ownership role in our sputtering deposition operations, vacuum systems, and next-generation PVD tool modifications within the organization.
  • Material & Process Innovation: Lead the development of innovative thin-film materials and sputtering processes to enhance the surface/interface and bulk properties required for high-efficiency, stable photovoltaic (PV) devices.
  • Solid-State Material Control: Control key material properties (phase, crystallinity, morphology, bulk/interface defect density, and band bending) via advanced material synthesis and deposition tuning.
  • Strategic Experimentation: Develop work plans that have unclear solution paths. Plan, execute, and analyze strategic development engineering experiments utilizing statistical methods and Design of Experiments (DOE).
  • Characterization & Failure Analysis: Identify opportunities for solar cell efficiency and durability improvements through advanced thin-film material analysis, device characterization, and failure analysis.
  • Specifications Management: Determine and evaluate material, target, and tool/equipment specifications for improved performance and organizational effectiveness.
  • Cross-Functional Leadership: Act as a core leader and specialist within the group. Demonstrate a strong ability to lead cross-functional efforts, drive external collaborators, and act as an effective communicator with internal and external partners.
  • Mentorship & Peer Collaboration: Collaborate with Technical Fellows and senior engineering peers to review technical risk and bridge foundational research with scalable engineering. Train, mentor, and manage junior engineers and peers on specific sputtering and vacuum technologies.
  • Compliance: Comply with Company's Environmental, Quality, Safety, or any other policies that have been enforced, and contribute to the continuous improvement of said policies.

Education/Experience:
  • Ph.D. in Materials Science, Surface Science, Chemical Engineering, Applied Physics, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline and 10 years of relevant technical experience (or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer III at First Solar).
  • Master's Degree in the same disciplines and 15 years of relevant technical experience (or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer III at First Solar).
  • Bachelor's Degree in an engineering or technical discipline and 20 years of relevant technical experience (or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer III at First Solar).
  • Required Expertise: 10+ years of R&D experience in thin-film solar or a closely related field, with a deep, authoritative knowledge of vacuum technology, sputtering deposition mechanics, plasma physics, and their direct impact on the nucleation and growth of thin films.
  • Preferred Experience: Experience with thin-film perovskite solar cells or perovskite integration in an industrial R&D environment is highly preferred but not required.

Required Skills/Competencies:
  • Sputtering & Vacuum Expert: Technical expert and innovator in physical vapor deposition (PVD), target selection, magnetron/plasma dynamics, and vacuum systems engineering.
  • Characterization Mastery: In-depth knowledge of thin-film material characterization techniques with the proven ability to interpret complex data from tools such as Ellipsometry, XRD, XPS, RAMAN, UV-Vis, AFM/STM, TEM, and SEM.
  • Problem Solving: Deep understanding of material/process/device interactions with strong analytical skills to develop practical solutions and innovations where solution paths are unclear.
  • Communication & Influence: Excellent written and oral presentation skills; demonstrated strength across organizations to produce clear data, reports, and strategic executive summaries.
  • Mindset: Strong sense of project ownership with a hands-on, agile, and "can-do" attitude. Accountable team player who is willing to work odd or long hours when pressed by critical deadlines or urgent situations.

Reporting Relationships:
  • Reports to Director, California Technology Center, or (Sr) Manager of Process Development
  • May have direct reports.
  • Up to 10% domestic or international.

Travel: TBD
Estimated Salary Range: $129,480 per year- $180,000 USD per year
US Physical Requirements:
  • Will sit, stand or walk short distances for up to the entire duration of a shift.
  • Will climb stairs on an occasional basis.
  • Will lift, push or pull up to 27 pounds on an occasional basis.
  • Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects on a frequent basis.
  • 20/40 vision in each eye, with or without correction, is required.
  • Must be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures.
  • May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis.
  • May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis.
  • The ability to wear personal protective equipment is required (including but not limited to; steel toed shoes, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, protective jacket or apron and arm guards).
  • All associates working on the production floor may be required to wear a respirator at any given time and thus, the ability to wear a respirator is a condition of employment and continued employment (requires little or no facial hair).

Potential candidates will meet the education and experience requirements provided on the above job description and excel in completing the listed responsibilities for this role. All candidates receiving an offer of employment must successfully complete a background check and any other tests that may be required.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: First Solar is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a driving force in the success of our company.

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