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Solar Cell Manufacturing Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Canadian Solar

Sr. Process Engineer

Jeffersonville, IN · On-site

$99K - $128K/yr

Serve as Subject Matter Expert for assigned process groups of the manufacturing line including but not limited solar cell manufacturing. * Optimize and improve solar cell conversion efficiency, yield ...

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP

We are insourcing solar cell manufacturing end-to-end, from crystal growth and ingot production through wafering and cell fabrication, to drive performance, cost, and scale at every step. High ...

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Solar Cell Manufacturing information

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$36.5K

$78K

$116K

How much do solar cell manufacturing jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for solar cell manufacturing in the United States is $78,000.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43,000.00 and $99,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is solar cell manufacturing?

Solar cell manufacturing is the process of producing photovoltaic (PV) cells, which are devices that convert sunlight directly into electricity. This involves several steps, including the purification of silicon, wafer production, cell fabrication, and module assembly. Modern manufacturing techniques focus on improving efficiency, reducing costs, and minimizing environmental impact. The end product is used in solar panels for residential, commercial, and industrial energy generation. Solar cell manufacturing is a key industry in the transition to renewable energy.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in solar cell manufacturing, and why are they important?

A strong background in materials science, engineering, or physics, often with a relevant degree or technical training, is essential for working in solar cell manufacturing. Familiarity with semiconductor fabrication equipment, quality control systems, and industry-standard software like CAD or process control tools is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork are crucial soft skills that enhance performance in this field. These competencies ensure efficient production, high product quality, and innovation in a rapidly evolving renewable energy sector.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in solar cell manufacturing, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in solar cell manufacturing often encounter challenges such as maintaining high product quality while maximizing production efficiency, adapting to rapid technological advances, and ensuring strict safety standards in a cleanroom environment. Addressing these challenges typically involves continuous training on new manufacturing processes, close collaboration with engineering and quality assurance teams, and adhering to established protocols for equipment maintenance and safety. Staying proactive in learning and open communication with team members helps in effectively managing these complexities, ultimately contributing to both individual and organizational success.

What is the difference between Solar Cell Manufacturing vs Solar Panel Installation?

AspectSolar Cell ManufacturingSolar Panel Installation
Primary RoleProducing solar cells and modules in a factory settingInstalling solar panels at residential or commercial sites
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, controlled environmentsOn-site at customer locations, outdoor or rooftop
Required SkillsTechnical skills in electronics, materials, and manufacturing processesElectrical knowledge, installation skills, safety protocols
CertificationsManufacturing certifications, technical trainingElectrical licenses, safety certifications

Solar Cell Manufacturing focuses on producing solar cells and modules in factories, requiring technical manufacturing skills. In contrast, Solar Panel Installation involves on-site setup of solar systems, emphasizing installation expertise and safety. Both roles are essential in the solar industry but differ significantly in work environment and skill requirements.

What jobs does solar cell manufacturing create?

Solar cell manufacturing creates a variety of jobs including production technicians, quality control inspectors, process engineers, equipment maintenance workers, and research and development scientists. These roles involve operating manufacturing equipment, ensuring product quality, improving production processes, and developing new solar cell technologies.
More about Solar Cell Manufacturing jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Solar Cell Manufacturing jobs?

The most popular types of Solar Cell Manufacturing jobs are:

What states have the most Solar Cell Manufacturing jobs?

States with the most job openings for Solar Cell Manufacturing jobs include:

What are popular job titles for Solar Cell Manufacturing?

Popular job titles for Solar Cell Manufacturing:

Solar Cell Manufacturing jobs near you
Infographic showing various Solar Cell Manufacturing job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $78,000 per year, or $37.5 per hour.

Supplier Development Engineer, Photovoltaics (Starlink)

Bastrop, TX • On-site

SpaceX
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about SpaceXexternal

Other

Re-posted 8 days ago

SpaceX rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 152 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

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.
SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER, PHOTOVOLTAICS (STARLINK)
Starlink User Terminal business is experiencing exponential growth across consumer, retail, enterprise, and mobility applications. This rapid expansion requires a highly resilient and scalable supply chain for solar cells, wafers, ingots, and polysilicon to support high-volume photovoltaic module production. The role entails early engagement in supplier selection, equipment selection, and process engineering to set programs up for success in high-volume manufacturing by ensuring material and process corners are fully completed. The role also includes ownership to deliver on time, monitor field performance, react to issues, and feed lessons learned back to engineering teams for iterative improvement.
We are seeking a technically strong Supplier Development Engineer to drive end-to-end supplier development and manufacturing bring-up across the photovoltaic supply chain - with strong focus on solar cell fabrication as well as upstream polysilicon, ingot, and wafer supply - to enable high-volume module output. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in solar cell manufacturing processes and the ability to provide technical guidance on high-efficiency cell technologies. The Supplier Development Engineer, Photovoltaics will be responsible for executing supplier strategies focused on polysilicon, ingots, wafers, and solar cell manufacturing. This position will have significant technical influence across Starlink engineering, quality, and supply chain teams, with extreme end-to-end ownership from early engagement through production scaling and field performance.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Own end-to-end supplier development and manufacturing bring-up for the photovoltaic supply chain within the Starlink User Terminal Bill of Materials, spanning polysilicon, ingots, wafers, solar cells, and module integration
  • Engage early with suppliers on selection, equipment selection, and process engineering to properly set up high-volume manufacturing programs by ensuring material and process corners are fully characterized and completed
  • Lead the bring-up of solar cell manufacturing lines while also supporting upstream wafer, ingot, and polysilicon supply chain development to enable high-volume module output
  • Assess supplier manufacturing capabilities with strong emphasis on solar cell fabrication processes including texturing, diffusion, passivation, anti-reflective coating, metallization, and cell testing, along with upstream silicon material processes
  • Lead new product introduction (NPI) activities, production part approval process (PPAP), first article inspections (FAI), production rate ramps, and qualification campaigns to enable full-rate, high-volume manufacturing
  • Develop and execute robust qualification plans covering polysilicon purity, ingot quality, wafer specifications, solar cell efficiency, reliability, and overall module performance
  • Implement artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for process control, defect detection, yield optimization, and predictive analytics in solar cell manufacturing
  • Create and standardize qualification protocols across the supply base, including equipment buy-off checklists, factory acceptance tests (FAT), site acceptance tests (SAT), and consistent reliability demonstration methods
  • Drive supplier performance improvement through Lean methodologies, supplier scorecards, process audits, and systematic problem solving to deliver measurable gains in quality, yield, cost, and on-time delivery
  • Perform reactive quality engineering support, including rapid containment, root cause analysis using eight disciplines (8D) and five-whys (5-Why) methodologies, and corrective actions for quality escapes, field returns, and production issues
  • Own on-time delivery of qualification and production ramp activities while continuously monitoring field performance, reacting quickly to issues, and feeding lessons learned from field data back to design and process engineering teams for iterative product and process improvement
  • Partner closely with Solar Cell Design Engineering, Process Engineering, Test Engineering, and Production teams to ensure supplier processes and manufacturing capability align with Starlink's aggressive high-volume product requirements and performance goals

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in materials science, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, or a other engineering discipline
  • 1+ years of experience in solar photovoltaic manufacturing, crystalline silicon supply chain, or supplier development (internship and extracurricular experience is applicable)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES:
  • 3+ years of experience in solar photovoltaic manufacturing, crystalline silicon supply chain, or supplier development
  • Strong technical background in solar cell fabrication and upstream silicon processes
  • Hands-on experience bringing up solar cell manufacturing lines, with preference for advanced high-efficiency technologies such as Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (TOPCon), Heterojunction Technology (HJT), Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell (PERC), and Interdigitated Back Contact (IBC)
  • Deep knowledge of crystalline silicon photovoltaic processes including polysilicon refining, ingot crystallization (Czochralski or directional solidification), wafer slicing, texturing, diffusion, passivation, metallization, and cell testing
  • Experience with production part approval process (PPAP), advanced product quality planning (APQP), design failure mode and effects analysis (DFMEA), and process failure mode and effects analysis (PFMEA)
  • Strong understanding of manufacturing capability assessment, yield improvement, and scaling high-volume photovoltaic production
  • Familiarity with relevant industry standards including International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61215, IEC 61730, and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 1703
  • Strong problem-solving skills using structured root cause analysis methods and statistical tools such as Minitab, design of experiments (DOE), and Six Sigma
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to distill complex technical topics into clear one-pagers and presentations
  • Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams and suppliers in a fast-paced, high-growth environment

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Ability to travel up to 30% of the time, both domestically and internationally
  • Position may require extended working hours and occasional weekends to support production ramps and critical issue resolution
  • This position is based in Bastrop, TX and requires being onsite

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
    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

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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

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