Tesla

Makes electric cars, robotaxis and grid batteries

Solar Failure Analysis Engineer - Energy Products

Quality EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timePalo Alto, CA, USANo salary listedIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

A degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or Physics, or equivalent experience.
Strong demonstrable hands-on experience with solar testing equipment, including solar simulators, IV curve tracers, multimeters, thermography cameras, and electroluminescence imaging systems.
Knowledge of, or willingness to learn, failure analysis techniques including electroluminescence, infrared thermography, X-ray, cross sectioning, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and accelerated testing protocols IEC 61215 and IEC 61646.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

Drive issue resolution from root cause analysis through countermeasure implementation on solar panels and balance-of-system components from Tesla Solar products.
Investigate photovoltaic modules, inverters, connectors, and mounting systems to identify failure root causes in Tesla Solar products.
Design and conduct fault replication tests and experiments on photovoltaic modules and inverter circuits, including cell and module characterization, electrical performance testing, and accelerated degradation studies.
Use analytical tools and techniques including electroluminescence imaging, infrared thermography, X-ray, microscopic inspection, cross sectioning, scanning electron microscopy, and current-voltage curve analysis.
Collaborate with engineers, suppliers, and contract manufacturers to resolve identified failure causes.
Provide input to design and manufacturing teams to improve design and production yield through lessons learned, product teardowns, and risk identification.
Support design reviews and design failure mode and effects analyses based on prior failure experience.

Desired Qualifications

Experience in photovoltaic module design, materials science, or semiconductor manufacturing.
Experience with soldering, microelectronics assembly, and module encapsulation processes.

Category	Energy Engineering
Location	Palo Alto, California
Requisition ID	288528
Type	Full-time

Job Description

The Failure Analysis Team's mission is to determine root cause and contributing factors to improve the experience of Tesla's Solar Products by reducing field issues, in collaboration with large cross-section of other engineering teams. Engineers and Technicians on the team are responsible for analyzing solar panel systems, including photovoltaic modules, inverters, and balance-of-system components. This is an individual contributor role with great internal visibility role that requires extensive hands-on work focused on failure analysis and root cause activities.  We are seeking a multi-faceted individual who will be responsible for all aspects of identifying, analyzing, root causing, implementing countermeasures, and reporting on issues affecting solar panel systems, including photovoltaic cell degradation, encapsulation failures, electrical faults, and interconnection issues. To be effective in this role, the engineer will need to be intimately familiar with the detailed behavior of photovoltaic modules, inverter circuits, and solar system architectures, along with the tools and equipment used in their design and manufacture. They will work with other Engineering teams to root cause and implement countermeasures of field issues to improve quality, reliability, and durability of solar products. Tesla offers the opportunity to work on industry leading products and bleeding edge technology in a fast paced, dynamic, and high visibility role.

Job Responsibilities

Drive issue resolution from root cause analysis to countermeasure implementation on solar panels and balance-of-system components from Tesla's Solar products
Investigate photovoltaic modules, inverters, connectors, and mounting systems to identify root cause of failure in Tesla's Solar products
Design and conduct fault replication tests and experiments on photovoltaic modules and inverter circuits, including cell/module characterization, electrical performance testing, and accelerated degradation studies
Use analytical tools and techniques including electroluminescence (EL) imaging, infrared thermography, X-Ray, microscopic inspection, cross sectioning, SEM, and I-V curve analysis
Collaborate with appropriate engineers, suppliers, and contract manufacturers to drive resolution to the identified failure causes
Provide inputs to design and manufacturing teams to improve design and production yield. Can be achieved through lessons learnt, product teardowns etc. helping to identify risks
Support design reviews and DFMEAs based on prior failure experience
Candidate should be detail oriented, and excellent communication skills

Job Requirements

Degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or equivalent experience
Strong demonstrable hands-on experience with solar testing equipment: Solar simulators, IV curve tracers, multimeters, thermography cameras, and electroluminescence imaging systems
Knowledge of or Willingness to learn different failure analysis techniques including electroluminescence (EL), infrared thermography, X-Ray, cross sectioning, SEM, FTIR, and accelerated testing protocols (IEC 61215, IEC 61646)
Excellent written and verbal communication skills required
Photovoltaic module design, materials science, or semiconductor manufacturing experience a strong plus
Experience with soldering, microelectronics assembly, and module encapsulation processes is desirable

About the Company

Tesla

Makes electric cars, robotaxis and grid batteries

Tesla makes electric cars and batteries that store power for homes and utilities, and it develops self-driving software and humanoid robots. In 2023, its Model Y became the first electric vehicle to rank as the world's best-selling car. Buyers order the Model 3 sedan, Model Y SUV, or Cybertruck pickup directly from Tesla instead of through dealers, and they charge on its Supercharger fast-charging network. It also sells Megapack and Powerwall batteries, runs a robotaxi service, and charges drivers a monthly fee for self-driving software that still needs their supervision. Tesla was founded in 2003, with Elon Musk as its lead early investor and a recognized co-founder, and it is based in Austin, Texas.

Company size: 10,001+
Company stage: IPO
Headquarters: Austin, TX
Founded: 2003

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