Vast
Solar Array Test Engineer
About this role
Vast is seeking a Solar Array Test Engineer to develop and execute comprehensive testing programs for solar arrays across multiple levels, from individual cells to full system integration. You'll lead qualification efforts for commercial photovoltaic technologies adapted for space use, manage environmental and electrical testing campaigns, and ensure flight-worthiness through radiation testing, thermal-vacuum analysis, and standards compliance for next-generation space stations.
What you'll do
- Develop and maintain test plans, procedures, and reports for solar array hardware at coupon, panel, wing, and system levels
- Own qualification program for non-space-heritage photovoltaic cell technologies including radiation, spectral characterization, UV, atomic oxygen, and outgassing testing
- Plan and execute environmental test campaigns: thermal vacuum, thermal cycling, vibration, acoustic, deployment, and life-cycle testing
- Conduct electrical performance testing including flash testing, electroluminescence imaging, isolation resistance, and IV curve characterization
- Coordinate testing at internal facilities and external labs; serve as responsible test engineer during execution
- Analyze test data, troubleshoot failures, perform root cause investigations, and predict end-of-life power degradation from radiation effects
What they're looking for
- Solar array and photovoltaic cell qualification and testing
- Environmental testing: thermal vacuum, thermal cycling, vibration, acoustic, deployment
- Electrical characterization: IV curves, flash testing, electroluminescence imaging
- Radiation effects and degradation analysis (proton/electron irradiation, NIEL calculations)
- Standards knowledge: AIAA S-111, AIAA S-112, SMC-S-016, ISO 11221
- Test planning, procedure development, and data analysis
- Electrostatic discharge and plasma arcing assessment
- Cross-functional collaboration and technical communication
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Vast
Vast develops Haven-1, a human-rated space station, and is hiring design reliability engineers across thermal, structures, propulsion, and avionics systems to ensure safe operations, as well as construction project engineers to support the station's development and construction.
- Website
- vast.com
Likely interview questions
- Describe your experience developing and executing solar cell or photovoltaic qualification programs, particularly for non-space-heritage technologies.
- Walk us through how you would approach qualifying terrestrial COTS solar cells for space use, including which test campaigns you'd prioritize and why.