Solar Panel Engineer

Aerospacelab is looking for a Solar Array Engineer to design the photovoltaic systems that power our satellites, across all our different programs and to define the tests that qualify them for flight. You will own the solar array architecture, from cell selection to string configuration and panel layout, build the power and energy-balance models behind it, and turn that design into a qualification program. This is a purely technical role with no people-management responsibilities, working closely with our system, power, thermal, structures, AIT, and production teams.

• Define the qualification and acceptance test philosophy, write the test plans and specifications for each environment, and set the pass/fail criteria.
• Follow the campaigns through with the team that runs them, then review and interpret the results against your design. If bench work appeals to you, there is room to take the measurements yourself.
• Design space solar array assemblies, from cell and CIC selection through panel layout and string configuration and electrical interfaces.
• Build power budgets and orbital energy-balance models together with the system team, accounting for the mission profile and for degradation over life.
• Define how the array interfaces with the spacecraft power system, covering bus voltage compatibility, string sizing, bypass and blocking diodes, harness routing, and grounding.
• Run and review the electrical analyses of the array, from cell and string behaviour to the effects of the space environment on its performance.
• Write the design specifications, interface control documents (ICDs), and qualification reports, and share what you learn with the wider engineering team.

• Define the qualification and acceptance test philosophy, write the test plans and specifications for each environment, and set the pass/fail criteria.
• Follow the campaigns through with the team that runs them, then review and interpret the results against your design. If bench work appeals to you, there is room to take the measurements yourself.
• Design space solar array assemblies, from cell and CIC selection through panel layout and string configuration and electrical interfaces.
• Build power budgets and orbital energy-balance models together with the system team, accounting for the mission profile and for degradation over life.
• Define how the array interfaces with the spacecraft power system, covering bus voltage compatibility, string sizing, bypass and blocking diodes, harness routing, and grounding.
• Run and review the electrical analyses of the array, from cell and string behaviour to the effects of the space environment on its performance.
• Write the design specifications, interface control documents (ICDs), and qualification reports, and share what you learn with the wider engineering team.

• Hands-on with electrical test equipment such as power supplies, data acquisition systems, and I-V curve tracers, and able to troubleshoot from test data.
• Experience in an aerospace, space, or other highly regulated hardware environment.