Solar Array Test Engineer

Responsibilities

• Define and execute electrical performance tests for solar arrays, including I-V characterization and efficiency measurements
• Plan and run environmental and durability tests such as thermal cycling, UV exposure, vibration, or shock as applicable
• Develop test plans and procedures from system and component requirements, including acceptance criteria
• Design, build, and validate test fixtures, harnessing, and high-power setups
• Partner with design, manufacturing, and suppliers to close test gaps and improve reliability and performance
• Participate in anomaly troubleshooting, root-cause investigations, and re-test plans

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. in Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
• 3+ years of direct experience in hardware test engineering
• Working knowledge of photovoltaic behavior, electroluminescence, and solar array performance drivers
• Experience with electrical and thermal instrumentation and DAQ systems
• Familiarity with environmental and mechanical test methods and lab safety practices
• Strong data reduction and analysis skills in Python, MATLAB, or similar
• Clear communicator with solid technical documentation skills

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline
• Direct experience testing solar arrays or photovoltaic hardware
• Familiarity with PV and aerospace qualification standards relevant to solar array testing, including IEC, UL, MIL-STD, NASA, and ECSS standards
• Experience with thermal-vacuum testing, radiation or UV degradation testing, or arc-fault characterization
• Demonstrated ability to drive cross-functional closure of test anomalies and design improvements