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Full-Time

Head of Solar Cell and Module Manufacturing

Confirmed live in the last 24 hours

Solestial, Inc.

Solestial, Inc.

11-50 employees

Produces thin, flexible solar panels for space

Food & Agriculture
Hardware
Energy
Social Impact
Aerospace

Senior, Expert

Tempe, AZ, USA

Category
Manufacturing Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Required Skills
Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Design
Requirements
  • Bachelors degree in engineering or physical science field. Masters or PHD Preferred.
  • Solid technical background with 10+ years in solar, semiconductor or PCB industries.
  • +5 years experience leading manufacturing teams (ideally >10 people)
  • Knowledge of semiconductor process steps including wet etching, vacuum deposition, laser scribing, laser film ablation, photolithography and electroplating.
  • Familiarity with silicon solar cell and solar module manufacturing processes is a strong plus.
  • Proven leadership skills and ability to manage large teams of engineers and technicians.
  • Problem-solving mindset, ability to diagnose and solve production related problems associated with materials, equipment, people and facilities.
  • Ability to disseminate complicated technical information in emails, slides and verbally.
  • Process-oriented, flexible with change, comfortable working in a less-structured startup environment.
Responsibilities
  • Lead the team of engineers and technicians to meet Solestial manufacturing goals.
  • Train team members, provide the means for constant skill development and motivate personal improvements.
  • Establish an excellent safety record and maintain a culture where safety is a top priority.
  • Meet company quality and schedule goals to ensure timely delivery of high performing product to the customers.
  • Oversee supply chain organization to ensure timely delivery of quality materials.
  • Oversee equipment maintenance team to avoid equipment downtime and ensure process quality.
  • In charge of all aspects of manufacturing from receiving and inspection the starting silicon wafers to testing and shipping the final solar modules.
  • Execute Solestial baseline manufacturing flow to fabricate thin solar cells and modules.
  • Work with the Head of Quality to ensure product quality is met and yield losses are minimized.
  • Work in close collaboration with R&D Department to transfer new processes, materials and design in production.
  • Continuously looking for improvements to minimize manufacturing cost, improve yields and reduce equipment down time.
  • Provide regular production status updates to working groups, management and in support of progress reports.

Solestial, Inc. specializes in ultra-thin silicon solar panels designed for space applications, featuring self-curing radiation damage capabilities and a flexible, lightweight build for minimal degradation over 10 years in LEO. The breakthrough technology allows for mass production at 90% lower costs than existing technologies, addressing the increasing demand for solar power in space.

Company Stage

Pre-seed

Total Funding

$16.3M

Headquarters

Tempe, Arizona

Founded

2013

Growth & Insights
Headcount

6 month growth

5%

1 year growth

21%

2 year growth

225%
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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Securing nearly $1M in NASA SBIR Ignite contracts positions Solestial for substantial growth and innovation in space solar technology.
  • The collaboration with DCUBED and Atomos Space expands Solestial's market reach and application potential.
  • Their innovative self-repairing technology could lead to longer-lasting and more reliable solar arrays, making them a preferred choice for space missions.

What critics are saying

  • The high cost and complexity of developing space-grade solar technology could strain Solestial's financial and operational resources.
  • Dependence on government contracts, such as those from NASA, may pose risks if funding priorities shift.

What makes Solestial, Inc. unique

  • Solestial's ultra-thin, self-repairing solar panels are specifically designed for space applications, setting them apart from traditional solar technology providers.
  • Their focus on affordability and efficiency, promising solar panels at a tenth of the current cost, offers a significant competitive edge in the space industry.
  • Partnerships with companies like Atomos Space and contracts with NASA highlight Solestial's credibility and advanced technological capabilities.