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.

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

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

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

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!

Senior Thin Film Deposition Engineer

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