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Fluid Systems Engineer, Solar Cell Factory (Starlink) Verified today

SpaceX · Bastrop, TX · Propulsion · first seen 2026-08-04
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Fluid Systems Engineer, Solar Cell Factory (Starlink)

The Solar Cell team at SpaceX is scaling production of high-efficiency solar cells to support sustainable energy solutions for Starlink constellations, launch vehicles, and beyond. As a Solar Cell Factory Fluids Engineer, you will design, build, and optimize fluid systems for the delivery of critical gases and chemicals in solar cell fabrication. This role requires a detail-oriented engineer passionate about safe handling of hazardous materials in a high-volume manufacturing environment, ensuring reliable supply to processes like vacuum deposition and etching while minimizing risks and maximizing efficiency.

Your responsibilities

  • Design, build, and activate fluids systems for the distribution of key gases (specialty and bulk gases), chemicals (hydrofluoric acid, solvents) and exhaust systems used in solar cell processes, including tanks, pumps, heat exchangers, gas panels, valves, scrubbers, and abatement systems
  • Own projects cradle-to-grave: requirement definition, design, justification of key decisions, equipment procurement, build coordination, commissioning and project management
  • Design modular systems capable of being manufactured at scale for future solar production facilities
  • Apply fluids and mechanical engineering skills including P&ID development, equipment sizing, detailed fluid and thermal analysis, system-level CONOP development, structural analysis, and materials and component selection
  • Perform safety and hazard assessments (FMEAs, HAZOPs) to ensure appropriate hazardous system design, including emergency shutdown CONOPs, redundancy, and compliance with hazardous material safety standards
  • Design, build, and deploy data acquisition and control systems for fluid facilities control and monitoring
  • Collaborate with process engineers to integrate fluid systems with manufacturing equipment and optimize delivery rates, purity levels, and recovery/recycling of process fluids to support high-yield production
  • Support installation, commissioning, and troubleshooting of fluid systems, working closely with facilities operations, EHS, automation, and procurement teams
  • Ensure regulatory compliance with OSHA, EPA, ASME, NFPA, and SEMI standards for chemical and gas handling in semiconductor-like environments
  • Track system performance metrics (flow rates, contamination levels, downtime) and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives such as lean manufacturing and sustainability efforts for fluid reuse

Basic qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, aerospace engineering, or other engineering discipline
  • 1+ years of hands-on build or design experience (internship, club, and competition team experience qualifies)

Preferred skills and experience

  • Advanced degree in engineering or related field
  • 2+ years of experience in fluid systems design, particularly with gases or hazardous chemicals in manufacturing or semiconductor industries
  • 2+ years of experience in photovoltaic, semiconductor, or thin-film deposition manufacturing
  • Knowledge of safety protocols for handling pyrophoric materials (silane) and toxic gases/chemicals (phosphine, HF)
  • Knowledge of ASME B31.3, SEMI S2/S8 standards and experience with cleanroom HVAC integration for fluid systems
  • Familiarity with cleanroom fluid systems, gas cabinets, scrubbers, and wastewater neutralization for solar cell fabrication
  • Familiarity with air separation units (ASUs) for gaseous nitrogen production
  • Certification in process safety (CSP, Six Sigma Green Belt) or hazardous materials handling
  • Proficiency in fluid dynamics software (ANSYS Fluent, Pipe-Flo) and CAD tools (AutoCAD, SolidWorks) for system modeling and diagramming
  • Experience with process safety management, including risk assessment and regulatory compliance
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, iterative environment and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams
  • Ability to work independently, take initiative, and communicate effectively
  • Ability to rapidly change roles and responsibilities while maintaining high sense of urgency
  • Creativity to design for reliability, efficiency, and maintainability from scratch

Additional requirements

  • Ability to travel frequently for work, potentially for extended periods during machine buyoffs and startup
  • Ability to lift 25 lbs unassisted
  • Lifting, standing, climbing, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying are generally required to perform the functions of this position
  • Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed to support critical milestones

ITAR requirements

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. Section 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. Section 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.