
Metrology Specialist, Solar Cells (Starlink) - Day Shift
SpaceX · Bastrop, TX
- Level
- Specialist
- Team
- Quality
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 2+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A specialist quality role at SpaceX (aerospace & defense) in Bastrop, TX. Maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot metrology equipment including IV testers, photoluminescence (PL) systems, AOI tools, sheet resistance meters, thickness measurement tools, and lifetime testers used throughout solar cell production.
- They ask for
- 2+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Root cause, SPC
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Quality Engineer roles in Texas: typical posted base $90k–$121k.
Median of the low and high ends of 20 live postings that list pay, out of 84 quality engineer openings in Texas, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Texas plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 83 other live quality postings in Texas.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (2+ vs 3+)
Typical $90k–$120k, from 19 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 3+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Root cause 69%
- New product launch 38%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 37%
- Lean 36%
- FMEA 33%
- Six Sigma 30%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
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This plant: SpaceX in Bastrop
157 other open roles at this site · 2 people we found in quality roles at SpaceX.
- Facilities Specialist, Solar Cell Factory (Starlink) · Reliability · Specialist
- Lead Operations Engineer · Production · Manager
- Sr. Supplier Development Engineer (Starlink) · Quality · Senior
- Lead Production Technician, Solar Cells (Starlink) · Production · Technician
- PECVD Process Engineer, Solar Cells (Starlink) · Process
- Process Specialist, Vendor Management (Starlink) · Process · Specialist
Full description from SpaceXAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot metrology equipment including IV testers, photoluminescence (PL) systems, AOI tools, sheet resistance meters, thickness measurement tools, and lifetime testers used throughout solar cell production
- ◆Perform routine calibration, verification, and preventive maintenance on tools supporting texturing, PECVD, PVD, metallization, and final testing steps
- ◆Monitor metrology data trends, identify deviations, and support root cause analysis to ensure cell parameters (efficiency, Voc, Jsc, fill factor) meet targets
- ◆Work closely with engineering teams to develop operating procedures and implement improvements for measurement accuracy and repeatability
- ◆Execute startup/shutdown procedures and maintain equipment in ISO-classified cleanroom environments
- ◆Support production by performing dispositions on nonconforming cells based on metrology results
- ◆Maintain inventory of consumables and critical spares while upholding strict safety and quality standards
- ◆Track maintenance activities and present equipment status reports to leadership
Qualifications
- ✓High school diploma or equivalency certificate
- ✓2+ years of experience working in a hands-on technical position OR an associate’s degree in a STEM field
Preferred skills and experience
- ✓Experience with metrology or inspection tools in semiconductor, solar, or precision manufacturing environments
- ✓Knowledge of optical, electrical, and materials characterization techniques (IV testing, PL, ellipsometry, sheet resistance)
- ✓Ability to read P&IDs, schematics, and technical documentation
- ✓Experience performing calibrations and maintaining measurement system accuracy in high-volume production
- ✓Proficiency with statistical process control (SPC) and data analysis tools
- ✓Familiarity with cleanroom protocols and gowning procedures
- ✓Excellent communication skills and ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
- ✓Experience with lock-out/tag-out, job hazard analysis, and chemical safety protocols
- ✓Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools and executing digital work instructions
- ✓Demonstrated punctuality, ability to work in a high-stress environment, and flexibility to adjust priorities
Requirements
- ✓Ability to stand up to 6 hours, lift up to 25 pounds unassisted, and maneuver around equipment in a factory setting
- ✓Ability to work in industrial environments with fumes/odors, noise, hazardous chemicals, and confined spaces
- ✓Must be available for one of the following AWS shifts (start and end times are approximate):
- ✓A Shift – 5:00am-5:00pm, Sunday-Wednesday
- ✓B Shift – 5:00am-5:00pm, Wednesday-Saturday
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 (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. Learn more about the ITAR here .
qualifications
and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com .
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SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
Metrology specialist, solar cells (starlink) - day shift
At SpaceX, we are building the next generation of space infrastructure to enable large-scale AI data centers in orbit. These orbital AI platforms require massive amounts of reliable, high-efficiency solar power to support intensive computing workloads in space. To make this possible, we are standing up one of the largest solar cell manufacturing facilities in the world. We are seeking a Metrology Specialist to maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot metrology tools used to measure cell thickness, sheet resistance, lifetime, efficiency, and other critical parameters.
