Manufacturing Engineer
Optivolt
Manufacturing Engineer
Optivolt
Module-level power electronics for solar optimization
Optivolt’s mission is to overshoot humanity’s energy supply by reimagining solar.
America is at an inflection point. We need reliable energy fast. The grid is aging. And solar, the only technology that deploys quickly enough, is still constrained by technology frozen in time.
To close this gap, we build intelligent solar systems that think and adapt to real world conditions. Optivolt solar systems understand the sun, the weather, shading, harsh conditions, and optimize energy flow in real time. Every Optivolt panel is designed with an aerospace power electronics brain sealed inside to make solar more powerful and cost effective than ever in any condition.
The next step is putting it everywhere. In the home as Optivolt Home Solar and in the field as Optivolt Solar Fields. Hyper performant, controllable, reliable solar that works for everyone, everywhere.
Optivolt is a team of some of the best builders and doers in the world, drawing from incredible talent pools in aerospace, electrical engineering, design-led organizations. We ultimately will win by designing and building the world’s best solar energy products.
But chiefly important, our organization is a lab for those devoted to solving some of the toughest problems in energy. Everyone is expected to contribute to the mission meaningfully. Clear communication, rapid iteration, and strong work ethic is the floor for anyone on our team.
To date we’ve shipped over 20,000 units and have companies worth billions of dollars relying on our solar architecture.
As a Manufacturing Engineer at Optivolt, you will turn advanced hardware designs into reliable, scalable, cost-effective products.
You will work directly with engineering teams, suppliers, and contract manufacturers to develop production processes, improve yields, and take products from engineering builds into commercial manufacturing.
Turn engineering designs into repeatable processes. Develop assembly and manufacturing processes for electronic and electromechanical products.
Own the details of production readiness. Own work instructions, process flows, fixtures, tooling, and manufacturing readiness documentation.
Get new products through pilot builds. Work with contract manufacturers to establish and improve production processes and quality controls.
Design for efficient assembly. Drive DFM/DFA changes with electrical, mechanical, and test engineering.
Work side by side with manufacturing partners. Lead prototype, pilot, and production builds; track issues and close manufacturing gaps.
Get to the root of production problems. Investigate defects, yield loss, and process variability using structured root cause analysis.
Improve yields and throughput. Improve cycle time, throughput, cost, and repeatability without compromising reliability.
Build processes that scale. Support supplier qualification, automation, process validation, and manufacturing scale-up.
You have worked on a production floor. 4+ years in manufacturing, process, or production engineering for physical products.
You understand electronics manufacturing. Experience with electronics assembly, PCBAs, or electromechanical products.
You can develop a manufacturing process. Knowledge of process development, tooling, fixtures, quality controls, and DFM/DFA.
You know how to investigate defects. Experience transferring products from prototype to pilot and production.
You have supported a product launch. Familiarity with PFMEA, SPC, root cause analysis, and corrective actions.
You work effectively with suppliers and engineers. Ability to solve problems directly with technicians, suppliers, and contract manufacturers.
You take ownership of the outcome. Strong technical judgment and comfort working on a factory floor.
SMT/PCBA, electronics packaging, or automated assembly experience.
Experience managing high-volume contract manufacturing partners.
Familiarity with solar module manufacturing and outdoor electronics.
Automation experience with end-of-line testing.
Willingness to work extended hours as needed to support critical milestones
Everyone at Optivolt is required to participate in on call support for customers
Must be based in San Francisco, CA
The estimated starting base salary range for this role is $150K-210K depending on level, location and experience, plus a generous pre-IPO equity package
Other benefits include comprehensive health coverage, unlimited PTO, plus extra fun perks!
Optivolt Labs makes solar energy more efficient with Balancer power electronics that optimize energy capture inside each solar panel. The Balancer helps counter losses from shade, dust, and aging, so a panel that would normally lose energy under 1% shade can deliver more overall power—claims of up to 25% more energy and up to 60x better output in shaded conditions. They also offer a full-stack solar integration platform for IoT devices, 5G, robotics, and electric vehicles, and sell Balancer units to solar installers, distributors, and manufacturers. Their customers span residential, commercial, and military sectors, including contracts with the U.S. Air Force and funding from the Department of Energy. The company aims to unlock shading-challenged homes, enable self-charging capabilities for electric machines, and broaden solar use by providing integrated energy solutions across civilian and defense markets.
Explore more opportunities at Optivolt