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Phd Solar Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

K2 Space

Senior Solar Process Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$140K - $175K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

Master's degree or PhD in materials science, chemical engineering, or a related field * Prior experience developing and qualifying manufacturing processes for solar array systems across the full ...

K2 Space

Principal Solar Process Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$175K - $200K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

Master's degree or PhD in materials science, chemical engineering, or a related field * Prior experience architecting manufacturing processes for solar array systems across the full development ...

Doist

Senior Solar Process Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$140 - $175/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

Master's degree or PhD in materials science, chemical engineering, or a related field * Prior experience developing and qualifying manufacturing processes for solar array systems across the full ...

K2 Space

Senior Solar Process Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$112K - $144K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

Master's degree or PhD in materials science, chemical engineering, or a related field * Prior experience developing and qualifying manufacturing processes for solar array systems across the full ...

K2 Space

Senior Solar Process Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$112K - $144K/yr

Master's degree or PhD in materials science, chemical engineering, or a related field * Prior experience developing and qualifying manufacturing processes for solar array systems across the full ...

Doist

Principal Solar Process Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$175 - $200/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

Master's degree or PhD in materials science, chemical engineering, or a related field * Prior experience architecting manufacturing processes for solar array systems across the full development ...

K2 Space

Principal Solar Process Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

Master's degree or PhD in materials science, chemical engineering, or a related field * Prior experience architecting manufacturing processes for solar array systems across the full development ...

Miller Bros Solar

Performance Engineer

Flourtown, PA · On-site

$60K - $80K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

About Miller Bros Solar At Miller Bros Solar, we're powering the future of renewable energy with ... Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, or Physics is ...

First Solar

Engineer- Manufacturing III

Gaffney, SC · On-site

$66K - $85K/yr

First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset ... Bachelors/Masters/PhD Degree in Engineering Discipline or Physical Science Field or equivalent.

First Solar

Engineer- Manufacturing II USA

Gaffney, SC · On-site

$80K - $115K/yr

First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset ... PhD Degree in a technical discipline with 0-3 years Engineering experience in desired areas.

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Phd Solar Engineer information

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$94.5K

$130.5K

How much do phd solar engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for phd solar engineer in the United States is $128,141.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $129,000.00 and $129,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Phd Solar Engineer vs Solar Project Engineer?

AspectPhd Solar EngineerSolar Project Engineer
Required CredentialsPhD in Renewable Energy, Solar Engineering, or related fieldBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, Renewable Energy, or related field
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academic institutions, R&D departmentsConstruction sites, project management offices, fieldwork
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutes, advanced R&D divisions of solar companiesSolar installation companies, project development firms, EPC contractors

The main difference between a Phd Solar Engineer and a Solar Project Engineer lies in their focus and work environment. A Phd Solar Engineer typically engages in research, development, and advanced analysis within academic or R&D settings, requiring a doctoral degree. In contrast, a Solar Project Engineer is more involved in the planning, execution, and management of solar installation projects, often working in the field or on-site. Both roles are essential in the solar industry but serve different stages of solar technology development and deployment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a PhD solar engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a PhD Solar Engineer, you need advanced knowledge in photovoltaic systems, materials science, and energy engineering, typically supported by a doctoral degree in a relevant field. Familiarity with simulation software (like MATLAB or PVsyst), laboratory instrumentation, and data analysis tools is essential, along with published research or patents. Strong problem-solving, project management, and collaboration skills help you excel in both research and interdisciplinary team environments. These competencies enable innovation, effective project execution, and advancement in solar technology and renewable energy solutions.

What are some unique challenges faced by PhD solar engineers in research and development teams?

PhD Solar Engineers often encounter challenges such as integrating cutting-edge research into practical, scalable solar technologies and balancing time between experimental work and data analysis. Collaboration across multidisciplinary teams, including material scientists and electrical engineers, is essential to address technical hurdles and optimize system performance. Additionally, these engineers must stay updated on evolving industry standards and funding opportunities while effectively communicating complex findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

What does a PhD solar engineer do?

A PhD Solar Engineer is a specialized professional who conducts advanced research and development in solar energy technologies. They work on designing, testing, and improving solar panels, photovoltaic systems, and other renewable energy solutions. Their work often involves publishing scientific papers, leading research teams, and collaborating with industry partners to innovate and implement sustainable solar solutions. With a doctoral degree, they typically focus on solving complex technical challenges and advancing the field of solar engineering.
More about Phd Solar Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Phd Solar Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Phd Solar Engineer job openings:
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What job categories do people searching Phd Solar Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Phd Solar Engineer jobs are:
Phd Solar Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Phd Solar Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $128,141 per year, or $61.6 per hour.

Test Engineer (Solar Chemistry) - Space Solar

Starpath

Hawthorne, CA • On-site

$125K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Re-posted 18 days ago

Job description

Test Engineer - (Solar Chemistry) - Space Solar
Position Details
Location: Los Angeles (Hawthorne), CA
Employment Type: Full-time
Department: Starlight Solar
Travel: Occasional
About 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.
Responsibilities
  • Execute test campaigns characterizing perovskite materials, films, and devices - including IV, EQE, photoluminescence, stability/degradation testing, and accelerated aging
  • Build 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 pathways
  • Partner with the materials and polymer chemistry teams to design experiments that connect chemistry, processing, and device performance
  • Build data acquisition and analysis workflows for high-throughput characterization across precursor formulations, deposition conditions, and interface treatments
  • Investigate test anomalies and degradation failures; partner with chemistry and manufacturing engineering to close issues
  • Write and execute test procedures and contribute to qualification reports
  • Push back on unnecessary complexity - simplify test setups, eliminate redundant verification, and cut overhead wherever it doesn't add value

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's or advanced degree in chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, applied physics, electrical engineering, or a related discipline
  • 1+ 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 data

Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's or PhD in a relevant discipline with research experience on perovskite, thin-film PV, or related optoelectronic materials
  • Direct experience with perovskite device characterization - IV, EQE, hysteresis analysis, photoluminescence, time-resolved spectroscopy
  • Hands-on experience with stability and degradation testing - moisture/oxygen control, thermal cycling, UV exposure, light soaking, accelerated aging
  • Familiarity with solution-processed deposition methods and the connection between processing conditions and device performance
  • Experience building or operating glovebox-based test setups and characterization workflows
  • Proficiency with LabVIEW, Python, MATLAB, or equivalent for data acquisition and analysis
  • Familiarity with statistical analysis of test data, design of experiments (DOE), or high-throughput screening workflows
  • Familiarity with aerospace test standards (e.g., GEVS, AIAA S-111/S-112 for solar cells) and accelerated life testing for space-grade hardware
  • Exposure to aerospace, space, or other high-reliability hardware environments

Compensation & Benefits
  • Location: Los Angeles (Hawthorne), CA
  • Competitive salary plus equity package; compensation scales with candidate experience
  • PTO & health/dental/vision coverage included

EAR 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 Opportunity
Starpath is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

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