Location: Los Angeles (Hawthorne), CA
Employment Type: Full-time
Department: Starlight Solar
Starpath develops and manufactures the technologies that will enable humans to live on the Moon and Mars. Today, we are building robotic systems that locally produce the essential commodities a lunar civilization will require at extreme scale: water, power, and oxygen. Our ultimate goal is to build and operate a self-sustaining city on Mars.
The Starlight team is focused on dramatically improving space solar power to support Starpath’s core mission and the greater space economy. Starlight manufactures the lowest cost and highest performance space solar ever, which will power the majority of new satellites built on Earth and all of Starpath’s equipment on the Moon and Mars.
We are seeking a Photovoltaic Chemist/Materials Scientist/Physicist to support all facets of the Starlight business unit.
This is a build-first, lead-by-doing role—high autonomy, high accountability, minimal bureaucracy.
Maintain a deep knowledge of the state-of-the-art for photovoltaic technologies, serving as the company's internal technical expert on PV physics
Contribute to future photovoltaic technology roadmaps
Evaluate/characterize promising new photovoltaic technologies developed internally or with partners, aggressively driving them towards maturity
Collaborate with engineering/reliability/manufacturing teams on all matters related to photovoltaic materials (processing, handling, testing, etc.)
Support supplier evaluation and material process development
Work cross-functionally to ensure the accuracy and effectiveness of all technical communications related to Starlight products
Ph.D. or M.S. in Chemistry, Materials Science, or related field
Experience with photovoltaic materials or thin-film technologies
Strong experimental and data analysis skills
Ability to translate materials behavior into system-level implications
Clear technical communication and strong engineering judgment
Direct experience with space solar arrays, deployables, power systems packaging, or similar hardware
Startup / small-team environment experience
Experience with space environmental testing standards (NASA GEVS, ECSS, or similar)
Location: Los Angeles (Hawthorne), CA
Salary base rate is $140-$180k/yr, plus equity package; compensation scales with candidate experience.
PTO & health/dental/vision coverage included
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Equal Opportunity
Starpath is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.