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Rocket Lab · 5 days ago

Senior R&D Engineer I - Qualification & Reliability

Albuquerque, NM

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level

5+ years exp

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services and spacecraft design. The Senior R&D Engineer - Qualification & Reliability will lead space qualification and reliability testing, solving multi-disciplinary design problems related to new technologies and materials.

AerospaceManufacturingSoftwareSpace Travel

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Develop both a theoretical and practical working knowledge of environmental tests related to qualification and reliability testing of multi-junction solar cells for space and terrestrial applications and the governing standards and specifications used in the industry

Design and use of electrical circuitry and hardware to enable environmental testing/characterization of multijunction solar cells and multiple solar cell devices simultaneously

Develop both a theoretical and practical working knowledge of the entire suite of test equipment used to characterize and rate the performance of multi-junction solar cells, including Quantum Efficiency, Pulsed and Continuous Illuminated Current-Voltage, Dark Current-Voltage, Transfer Length Measurement, Electro Luminescence, Reflectance, Absorptance, Emissivity, Mechanical bend/breakage, Capacitance, etc

Develop a detailed understanding of the design, construction, manufacturing methods, and operating principles of series interconnected multi-junction solar cells and how changes to any of these may affect the performance or reliability of these devices in various operating environments (LEO/GEO orbits, interplanetary, terrestrial, etc.)

Develop a detailed understanding of how environmental factors such as temperature, illumination intensity, illumination uniformity, spectral characteristics, particle and UV radiation, atomic oxygen exposure, thermal cycling, thermal shock, humidity, ESD, mechanical shock/vibe, etc. influence the operation and performance of multi-junction solar cells and integrated products

Develop a detailed understanding of semiconductor bandgaps, their influence on light absorption, light emission, photogenerated current production, and voltage production in solar cells

Identify the important parameters that can be extracted from an IV curve such as short circuit current, open circuit voltage, fill factor, shunt resistance, series resistance, ideality factor, and the phenomena that are responsible for variability in the above parameters

Combine the understanding described above to investigate solar cell device failure mechanisms to root cause

Combine the understanding described above to allow accurate definition of the problem or need, identification of the correct measurement method to address the need, efficient and correct use of the measurement tool, and meaningful and high-value analysis of the data

Combine the understanding described above to plan, manage, and execute qualification, confidence, and reliability testing campaigns

Analyze and interpret test data utilizing tools such as Excel and JMP and confidently present thoughtful and correct analysis to team members

Interact with other R&D and manufacturing engineers to plan and execute required testing activities

Interact with outside vendors to develop required tools and equipment for testing activities

Report results both internally and externally with presentations and formal reports utilizing tools such as PPT and Office

Develop strong working relationships across the organization

Develop a detailed understanding of the customer base and design/operation requirements for space and terrestrial solar cells

Develop the tools and experience needed to take ownership of projects and provide technical leadership for the organization

Qualification

Electrical characterizationSemiconductor reliability testingSolar cell developmentData analysis toolsBachelor's degree in engineeringProject managementCommunication skillsTeam collaboration