Space Photovoltaics Engineering Scientist

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

At Aerospace, we are committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees to share in our common passion and aspiration – to carry out a mission much bigger than ourselves.

Job Summary  

The Aerospace Physical Sciences Laboratories (PSL) is a diverse scientific organization that provides a broad and innovative research and development backplane for a growing space enterprise.  PSL’s impact is grown through a diverse research portfolio that blends foundational scientific research with cutting-edge technology development to serve a broad customer base. PSL’s exclusive ability to work with all stakeholders: (government, industry, and academia) enables us to provide novel solutions to the most challenging issues in current and future technology applications. The strength of PSL comes from the combination of cutting-edge tools and facilities, a vast repository of space-system knowledge, and the extensive technical expertise of our people. We harness these tools and expertise in over 150 different laboratories to tackle the new challenges for the space enterprise.    

The Energy Technology Department (ETD) in PSL provides expert technical assistance for space solar cell and solar array technology used on a broad range of spacecrafts and leads the community by conducting basic and applied research in characterizing photovoltaic devices and understanding how they degrade in the space environment. Our capabilities for advanced characterization techniques and dedication to precision and accuracy supports our national security and civil and commercial space customers with reliable data to predict the performance and degradation of their solar arrays in the harsh environment in space.  

As a Space Photovoltaics Engineering Scientist (Physics & Microelectronics/ Semiconductor Engineering), you will be responsible for leading efforts to develop techniques, tools, capabilities, and prototype for evaluating and assessing next generation spacecraft solar cell and solar array technology for national security space programs. You will collaborate with industry partners and program offices to ensure the success of critical space missions by evaluating and understanding the relevant properties of different components of the solar array and how they degrade in the relevant space environment. 

Work Model 

This is a full-time position based in El Segundo, CA, offering a hybrid work model that combines at least (3) regular onsite workdays and remote flexibility as the business needs allow.    

What You’ll Be Doing  

You will be supporting the development and characterization of advanced solar array technologies for national space missions: 

• Design and perform experiments that directly impacts the future direction of space photovoltaic and solar array technology for space missions 

• Combine hands-on engineering aptitude and scientific method approach to lead the design and development of industry leading capabilities for characterizing advanced space photovoltaic and other energy generation technologies 

• Apply your deep technical experience to support the development of test and measurement capabili