Sr. Photovoltaic Test Engineer, Spacecraft Mechanical, Amazon Leo Mechanical Development

Description

Amazon Leo is Amazon's low Earth orbit satellite network. Our mission is to deliver fast, reliable internet connectivity to customers beyond the reach of existing networks. From individual households to schools, hospitals, businesses, and government agencies, Amazon Leo will serve people and organizations operating in locations without reliable connectivity.

We are seeking an experienced Photovoltaic Test Engineer to lead solar cell and module characterization efforts within the Solar Array Development team. In this role, you will own the operation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of photovoltaic characterization equipment, generating high-fidelity datasets that directly inform device physics, degradation mechanisms, and recovery pathways for solar cells operating in the Low Earth Orbit radiation environment.

The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in photovoltaic device testing with strong lab engineering fundamentals. You will develop and execute test campaigns that characterize cell and module performance from beginning-of-life through end-of-life conditions, providing the data foundation for solar array power predictions and technology selection decisions. You will also serve as a general lab engineering resource, supporting broader mechanical and environmental test needs as priorities demand.

Export Control Requirement: Due to applicable export control laws and regulations, candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Key job responsibilities
- Performance Characterization: Lead high-precision electrical and optical characterization of solar cells and modules using IV (Current-Voltage), EQE (External Quantum Efficiency), and IQE (Internal Quantum Efficiency) measurements to establish baseline and stressed performance metrics.
- Defect and Recombination Analysis: Utilize advanced PL (Photoluminescence) and EL (Electroluminescence) imaging to map defect distributions, diagnose recombination pathways, and correlate spatial non-uniformities with electrical behavior.
- Radiation Degradation and Recovery Testing: Execute controlled proton and electron radiation exposure campaigns followed by multi-temperature light-soak protocols to capture the full degradation-recovery cycle. Design targeted thermal annealing studies to probe recovery pathways and map damage thresholds, activation energies, and thermal recovery profiles.
- Equipment Ownership: Own the operation, calibration, service, and maintenance of PV characterization equipment including solar simulators, spectral response systems, and imaging tools. Drive equipment capability improvements and establish measurement uncertainty budgets.
- Test Method Development: Develop and validate novel test methods, procedures, and fixtures to support emerging cell technologies and module-level characterization needs.
- Data Analysis and Reporting: Extract temperature coefficients, series resistance evolution, and degradation kinetics from test data. Deliver clear technical reports that directly inform design decisions and power budget models.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with solar cell vendors, radiation testing facilities, and internal design engineers to define test requirements, coordinate external campaigns, and translate results into actionable design guidance.
- General Lab Support: Support broader lab engineering needs including environmental testing, mechanical test setup, and equipment troubleshooting as priorities require.


A day in the life
As a Sr. Photovoltaic Test Engineer, you will spend your time between hands-on lab work and data analysis. You might start the morning reviewing overnight light-soak data from an irradiated cell batch, extracting recovery curves and updating the team on degradation trends. Mid-day you could be configuring a spectral response measurement for a new cell technology sample from a vendor, or troubleshooting a solar simulator calibration drift. You will regularly interface with the solar array design team to align test priorities with program milestones, and with external radiation facilities to plan upcoming proton beam campaigns. The ideal candidate is self-motivated, detail-oriented, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced development environment where test priorities shift with program needs.

About the team
The Satellite Vehicle Engineering Team owns the design, qualification, and technology development of the satellite mechanical and electrical systems, including solar power modules, secondary structures, and array-level interfaces. This role reports to the Development Operations team within the broader Mechanical org. The team supports multiple concurrent programs spanning production satellites, next-generation module development, and advanced solar cell R&D. Tasks and priorities change rapidly, and you will take on new responsibilities as required to ensure project success.

Basic Qualifications

- Bachelor's degree or above in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), or Master's degree or above in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering
- 5 years of experience in photovoltaic device characterization, including IV testing, spectral response measurements, and electro-optical imaging techniques.
- 3 years of experience operating and maintaining laboratory test equipment in a research or production environment.
- Experience with radiation effects testing or accelerated aging of semiconductor devices.
- Proficiency in data analysis and scripting (Python, MATLAB, or similar) for test automation and post-processing of large datasets.

Preferred Qualifications

- Master's degree or PhD in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field with focus on photovoltaic devices or semiconductor characterization.
- Experience with space-rated solar cell technologies (III-V multi-junction, advanced silicon, perovskite).
- Experience with proton and electron radiation testing of photovoltaic devices.
- Familiarity with PV device physics including recombination mechanisms, defect characterization, and radiation damage/annealing kinetics.
- Experience developing measurement uncertainty budgets and calibration procedures for optical and electrical test systems.
- Experience managing vendor relationships for external test campaigns (radiation facilities, cell suppliers).
- Strong communication skills with the ability to convey complex device physics results to cross-functional engineering teams.
- Attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records, procedures, and traceability documentation.

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.

The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.