Phd Solar Material Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Role 

The materials that go into K2's solar arrays - from module interconnects and adhesive systems to cover glass coatings and substrate composites - directly determine how much power they produce, how long they last, and how fast we can build them. Collaborating across the engineering and production teams, you will own the success of the materials selections and their implementations that will be key to our successful satellite operation. 

You will define how K2 selects, qualifies, and scales materials and processes for its solar array systems and other subsystems. The operating environments, mission lifetimes, and production rates we are pursuing demand meaningful impact in how our materials are characterized, qualified, and manufactured. You will own the success of implementation of material systems in the development while scaling of K2's solar array design. 

Responsibilities 

• Serve as a Responsible M&P engineer for our satellite bus structures, mechanisms, thermal, electrical, and solar array systems, including adhesives, sealants, cover glass and coatings 
• Partner with experienced M&P engineers to help define the strategy and qualification philosophy for satellite materials spanning LEO to deep space mission environments 
• Research, trade, and select conventional and novel materials and processes for various novel applications   
• Define qualification criteria, test envelopes, and characterization campaigns that establish material performance margins across radiation, thermal cycling, mechanical, and plasma environments 
• Lead design reviews, continually own system-level M&P deliverables, and drive development schedules with accurate projections looking 12+ months ahead 
• Collaborate with solar, structures/mechanisms, thermal, avionics, and production teams to define material-driven requirements, integrated qualification/acceptance testing, and on-orbit data review 
• Lead failure analysis and root cause investigations for material-related anomalies, establishing corrective action processes that feed back into design and production 
• Evaluate, qualify, and manage material suppliers, including incoming inspection criteria, lot acceptance requirements, and supply chain risk mitigation 
• Author, implement, and maintain M&P requirements, material and process specifications, technical specifications, and engineering work standards related to solar array materials and others used on throughout the spacecraft 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree in materials science, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, aerospace engineering, or a related technical discipline 
• 2+ years of experience in materials and process engineering, with demonstrated depth in material selection, characterization, qualification, and production-scale process development 
• Demonstrated track record of material and process decisions that have been validated through flight or equivalent high-reliability hardware programs 

Nice to Have 

• Master's degree or PhD in materials science, chemical engineering, or a related field 
• Experience architecting M&P programs for solar array systems across the full development lifecycle - requirements definition, trade studies, development testing, qualification, production, and on-orbit data analysis 
• Background working across multiple solar array material systems with variations in cell technology, interconnect metallurgy, encapsulant chemistry, and substrate architecture 
• Deep understanding of adhesive systems, composites, thin films, thermal interface materials, and coatings as applied to high-power, long-life solar arrays 
• Familiarity with AIAA S111/S112, SMC-S-016, NASA-STD-4005, NASA-STD-5017, and NASA-STD-6016 for the qualification of solar modules, materials usage, and spacecraft charging effects 
• Experience with radiation effects on solar materials, including displacement damage dose modeling, ionization effects, UV degradation, and atomic oxygen erosion 
• Expertise in key M&P disciplines including fracture mechanics, corrosion control, fluid/outgassing compatibility, descriptive and inferential statistics, and failure analysis 
• Proficiency with material characterization techniques and tools (SEM, EDS, FTIR, DSC, TGA, XRD, or equivalent) 
• Experience scaling material processes from prototype to high-rate production, including SPC implementation and manufacturing equipment qualification 
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes including soldering, wire bonding, welding, lamination, heat treatment, plating, conversion coatings, and surface modification 
• Python or MATLAB proficiency for test data analysis and degradation modeling 
• Independent and self-motivated mindset with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills across disciplines 

Compensation and Benefits: 

• Base salary range for this role is $100,000 - $140,000 + equity in the company 
• Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level 
• Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks