The Company:
Solestial is pioneering the future of space-based solar power by developing advanced solar technologies optimized for the harsh conditions of space. Our innovative, low-cost, and scalable solar arrays are engineered for next-generation satellites, spacecraft, and orbital infrastructure. We are driven by a mission to power the space economy and unlock limitless opportunities in orbit and beyond.
The Role:
As a Senior Thin Film Deposition Engineer, you will own and advance our thin film deposition processes, with a strong focus on PVD and PECVD. This role will be responsible for maintaining stable, repeatable deposition processes while also driving process development, optimization, and equipment modifications as we scale manufacturing.
This is a hands-on engineering role. The ideal candidate has deep experience with sputter deposition and understands the relationship between the process, equipment, materials, and resulting film properties. They should be comfortable troubleshooting from both a process and equipment perspective and working directly on deposition tools to keep them operating reliably.
Your Mission
Own and optimize PVD/PECVD processes.
Develop and modify deposition processes to improve film performance, repeatability, yield, and throughput
Monitor process performance and troubleshoot deposition issues, excursions, and variability
Maintain deposition equipment from a process and engineering perspective, including hands-on troubleshooting and preventative maintenance
Diagnose equipment-related issues involving vacuum systems, gas delivery, power supplies, targets, chambers, and other deposition system components
Partner with engineering and manufacturing teams to keep deposition tools running reliably and minimize downtime
Develop process recipes, operating parameters, and process controls
Plan and execute experiments and DOEs to understand process windows and optimize performance
Support modifications and upgrades to existing deposition equipment as manufacturing needs evolve
Analyze process and equipment data to identify trends, root causes, and opportunities for improvement
Develop and maintain process documentation, specifications, work instructions, and equipment maintenance procedures
Support the transition of new or modified deposition processes from development into production
What You Bring
Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field; advanced degree a plus
Significant hands-on experience with physical vapor deposition (PVD) and plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) processes and equipment
Deep technical knowledge of thin film deposition, including process parameters, plasma behavior, vacuum systems, target/material interactions, and thin film properties
Experience developing, optimizing, and troubleshooting thin film deposition processes in a manufacturing or production environment
Hands-on experience maintaining, troubleshooting, and modifying PVD/sputtering equipment
Strong understanding of vacuum equipment and components, including pumps, valves, pressure measurement, gas delivery, and related systems
Experience using structured problem-solving, DOE, and data analysis to improve process performance
Ability to independently troubleshoot complex issues that cross the boundary between process and equipment
Comfortable working directly with production equipment in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
What Gives You an Edge
Experience with thin film deposition for semiconductor, photovoltaic, aerospace, or other high-reliability applications
Experience scaling deposition processes from R&D or development into manufacturing
Experience with equipment upgrades, retrofits, or custom modifications
Familiarity with SPC and manufacturing process controls
Experience with additional vacuum deposition or thin film characterization techniques
Our Benefits
Competitive salary
Generous, high-quality medical, dental, and vision coverage on day one of employment
15 vacation days, 5 sick days, and 10 paid holidays annually - with an extended holiday break at year’s end
401K with employer match up to 4% of salary
Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability and employer-sponsored life insurance
Your work will literally go to space!
