Supplier Development Engineer, Photovoltaics

About the role

This position supports the rapid growth of the Starlink User Terminal business by managing the supply chain for solar components. You will oversee the end-to-end manufacturing process for polysilicon, ingots, wafers, and solar cells to ensure high-volume production targets are met.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Manage the full supply chain lifecycle for photovoltaic components, from raw polysilicon to finished module integration.
• Collaborate with suppliers on equipment selection and process engineering to ensure manufacturing lines are ready for high-volume output.
• Lead new product introduction, first article inspections, and production qualification campaigns.
• Implement AI-driven solutions to optimize yield, detect defects, and control manufacturing processes.
• Conduct root cause analysis using 8D and 5-Why methods to resolve quality escapes and field performance issues.
• Standardize qualification protocols, including factory and site acceptance tests.
• Use Lean methodologies to improve supplier performance regarding cost, quality, and delivery timelines.

This role manages the solar supply chain that powers Starlink User Terminals. You will manage the full supply chain lifecycle for photovoltaic components, from raw polysilicon to finished module integration, and you will collaborate with suppliers on equipment selection and process engineering so manufacturing lines are ready for high-volume output. Because the components are produced at massive scale, supplier capability and consistency are central to the work.

The role combines supplier management with process and quality engineering. You will lead new product introduction, first article inspections, and production qualification campaigns, implement AI-driven solutions to optimize yield, detect defects, and control manufacturing processes, and conduct root cause analysis using 8D and 5-Why methods to resolve quality escapes and field performance issues. You will also standardize qualification protocols, including factory and site acceptance tests, and use Lean methodologies to improve supplier performance regarding cost, quality, and delivery timelines.

Solar manufacturing spans the crystalline silicon supply chain, from polysilicon and ingots to wafers and finished cells, so candidates with experience in photovoltaic manufacturing or silicon supply chain development will be well prepared. Technical familiarity with cell technologies such as TOPCon, HJT, PERC, or IBC, and with processes like Czochralski crystallization, wafer slicing, diffusion, and metallization, is a strong advantage. A data-driven, structured approach to supplier improvement is also important in this role. The position offers significant impact, as the solar supply chain is essential to the rapid growth of the Starlink User Terminal business.

Requirements

• Bachelor degree in chemical engineering, materials science, electrical engineering, or a related engineering field.
• Minimum 1 year of professional or internship experience in solar photovoltaic manufacturing, the crystalline silicon supply chain, or supplier development.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 30% of the time.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee to comply with ITAR regulations.

Nice to have

• 3+ years of experience in solar photovoltaic manufacturing or crystalline silicon supply chain development.
• Technical expertise in solar cell fabrication, including TOPCon, HJT, PERC, or IBC technologies.
• Knowledge of crystalline silicon processes such as Czochralski crystallization, wafer slicing, diffusion, and metallization.
• Proficiency with APQP, PPAP, DFMEA, and PFMEA.
• Familiarity with IEC 61215, IEC 61730, and UL 1703 standards.
• Experience with Minitab, Design of Experiments, and Six Sigma.

Skills & tools

Solar cell fabrication (texturing, diffusion, passivation, anti-reflective coating, metallization), upstream silicon material processing, root cause analysis and structured problem solving, statistical analysis software.

Practical notes

This role requires being onsite in Bastrop, TX. Expect extended working hours and occasional weekend work to support production ramps and critical issues. SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

About the company

Based in Starbase, Texas, a company pursues work in spaceflight, telecom, and artificial intelligence. A unit handles rocket launches, leading yearly orbital counts beyond other national and commercial teams. Another unit runs Starlink, a satellite communications firm. A third area, through SpaceXAI, advances Grok and AI integration with X, while managing data center operations. Roles often cross these paths. Candidates with engineering, software, or operations backgrounds may find chances to join projects that span launch, connectivity, and machine learning efforts in this Texas-based enterprise.