Leap Photovoltaics is a growing team of passionate people tackling climate change and disrupting solar manufacturing. Founded in 2020, Leap is an award-winning venture-backed start-up and has received grants from the California Energy Commission, U.S. Department of Energy, National Science Foundation, and state of Arizona. We are based in San Francisco, CA, with lab space in Mountain View, CA, as well as personnel, collaborators, and access to fabrication facilities at Arizona State University.
Leap is developing a revolutionary additive manufacturing process to manufacture crystalline silicon solar cells with the same performance and reliability as traditional solar cells at half the cost using a secure domestic supply chain. This unique combination leaps the barriers of thin margins and supply chain disruptions that are holding back the explosive growth in solar manufacturing that we need to achieve our decarbonization goals.
Role Description
We are currently seeking a Solar Cell Fabrication Engineer who is passionate about developing game-changing PV technology. As a member of the founding engineering team, the Process Development Engineer will have a unique opportunity to make major contributions to technology development at a growing start-up by developing and owning key processes for solar cell fabrication and working with our in-house team and external collaborators.
Responsibilities: Lead solar cell prototyping for Leap's novel solar cell architecture using fabrication equipment in shared facilities at ASU.
Design and execute experiments for continuous improvement of prototype solar cell performance by controlling parameters for key fabrication processes. You will own these processes from design and planning to execution, tracking, and reporting. Key metrics include power conversion efficiency, reliability as measured by accelerated degradation testing, and scalability measured by in-house cost modeling.
Coordinate use of facilities at Arizona State University, transfer samples between lab sites, and manage contractor and vendor relationships.
Solar Cell Fabrication Engineer will report to the CEO/CTO; candidate will have the opportunity to interface with virtually all facets of the business and will be part of a larger team of R&D scientists and engineers.
Minimum Qualifications:
Hands-on experience performing thin-film depositions and wet chemical processing.
Experience with semiconductor and/or solar cell characterization and process metrology.
Process engineering experience including experimental design and/or statistical process control.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and spearhead collaborative projects.
Curiosity and passion for solving engineering challenges in a fast-paced start-up setting.
Desire to own key engineering tasks and make critical-path contributions on a small team.
Preferred Qualifications:
Hands-on experience fabricating high-efficiency silicon solar cells, including passivated contacts.
5+ years industry experience in an independent role. Advanced degree can be considered in lieu of some work experience.
Experience with PECVD of amorphous silicon, sputtering of ITO, screen-printed metallization of electrodes on silicon, wet and dry etching and cleaning of silicon.
Expertise in characterization of silicon and solar cell performance, particularly SEM, photoconductance, photo/electroluminescence, sheet resistance, and contact resistance.
Demonstrated ability to coordinate projects with long-distance collaborators and contractors.
Experience handling fine powders.
This position is based in Tempe, AZ. Applicants will be considered for permanent or temporary employment.
Competitive salary, benefits including health insurance and 401k for permanent employees, and equity upside commensurate with experience.
Leap Photovoltaics is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.
If you're ready to launch a leap forward in clean energy, apply today!