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Overview Energy · 1 month ago

Spacecraft Solar Array Engineer

Ashburn, VA

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level

5+ years exp

Overview Energy is turning uninterrupted sunlight in space into directable energy on Earth. The Spacecraft Solar Array Engineer will lead the design and optimization of spacecraft solar array systems, ensuring they meet power, mass, and reliability targets for all mission phases.

AerospaceHardwareSatellite Communication

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Architect and design spacecraft solar array systems, including cell technology selection, string and panel configuration, array sizing, and interfaces

Perform power budget development, orbital energy balance analyses, and end‑of‑life power predictions across mission scenarios, eclipse seasons, and pointing constraints

Develop detailed design specifications, interface control documents (ICDs), and technical documentation for solar panels, harnessing, deployment mechanisms, and array drive assemblies using CAD and industry‑standard analysis tools

Conduct electrical, mechanical, and thermal analyses of solar array assemblies, including structural margins for launch loads, thermal gradients, degradation, and pointing performance impacts

Support design of deployment and articulation solutions (hinges, hold‑down and release mechanisms, solar array drive mechanisms), working with mechanisms and structures engineers to balance stiffness, strength, mass, and deployment reliability

Define, plan, and execute qualification and acceptance test campaigns for solar arrays and subassemblies, including vibration, shock, thermal vacuum, radiation, electrical performance, and deployment testing

Develop and maintain photovoltaic performance models and conduct cell/module/array‑level characterization to validate expected power output under AM0 conditions and over radiation and temperature environments

Work with manufacturing, supply chain, and production teams to ensure design‑for‑manufacturability, process control, and traceability of space‑qualified solar cells, substrates, and interconnect materials

Support spacecraft integration and test (I&T), providing technical direction for solar array installation, functional checkouts, deployment tests, and anomaly resolution

Monitor on‑orbit solar array performance, analyze telemetry to detect degradation or anomalies, and drive corrective actions or design improvements for future missions

Qualification

Spacecraft power systemsPhotovoltaic technologiesCADAnalysis toolsPower system designEnvironmental testingHands-on assemblySoldering techniquesTest planningTelemetry analysis

Required

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field with a focus on power or space systems

5+ years of experience in spacecraft power systems, spacecraft solar arrays, or closely related photovoltaic hardware for space applications (cell, module, panel, or array‑level)

Strong proficiency with CAD and analysis tools for mechanical and/or electromechanical design, plus experience solar array sizing and performance modeling

Experience with power system design (voltage regulation, string configuration, bypass diodes)

Experience with rapid prototyping and hands-on electrical and mechanical assembly

Experience in soldering techniques relevant to solar module assembly, including hand soldering, reflow methods, and cell interconnection (tabbing/stringing)

Experience with environmental and qualification testing relevant to flight hardware (e.g., vibration, shock, thermal vacuum, radiation), including test planning and data review

U.S. citizenship and ability to work with ITAR‑controlled technical data and hardware, as required by program and regulatory constraints

Preferred

Graduate degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Electrical, Aerospace, or Mechanical Engineering with emphasis on spacecraft power systems or space photovoltaics

Hands‑on experience with design and qualification of spacecraft solar arrays, solar array drive mechanisms, or power distribution hardware for flight programs

Experience with lightweight, flexible solar array stackups and associated support structures

Familiarity with space qualification and reliability standards (e.g., NASA, ECSS, MIL standards) applicable to power and structural hardware

Experience with radiation effects on solar cells and materials, including shielding strategies and degradation modeling over mission life