Director of Space Solar Technology

Department: R&D

Location: Fremont

Compensation: $200K – $250K

Employment Type: FullTime

At Tandem PV, we are a team of people who are passionate about building a more sustainable world by bringing cost effective solar panels onto the market. We’re scaling metal-halide perovskite solar technology to make best-in-class mechanically stacked tandem modules.   We have built efficient, durable cells, monolithic multi-cell submodules, and packaged modules with our scalable, low-cost process. Our next focus is expanding our team to work in our new pilot manufacturing facility.

The Role

We are hiring a Director of Space Solar Technology to lead this program from the ground up. You will manage the execution of the space solar initiative, build and lead a team of engineers and technicians, and work cross-functionally with Tandem PV’s R&D and manufacturing teams to bring breakthrough solar technology into the space market. This role is ideal for someone with experience developing space solar cells or photovoltaic systems who is excited to shape an emerging product line at a fast-moving company.

What You'll Do

Lead the Space Solar Program

• Define the technical roadmap for space-qualified tandem solar panels

• Drive system architecture, performance targets, and reliability strategy

• Design product layout, integration, and ruggedization through rapid risk-reduction cycles

• Work closely with development customer(s) and ensure the program meets technical milestones

Build and Lead the Team

• Hire, manage, and mentor a team of engineers and technicians

• Establish development processes for device, module, and panel integration

• Manage relationships with panel assembly vendors, academic collaborators, and testing

• partners

Develop Space-Qualified Solar Technology

• Adapt Tandem PV’s terrestrial tandem technology for space environments

• Drive improvements in efficiency, mass, durability, and radiation tolerance

• Oversee development of lightweight panel architectures

• Collaborate with internal R&D and manufacturing teams and coordinate external testing and validation

Help Launch a New Product Line

• Define the path from R&D to manufacturable space solar products

• Identify opportunities for future space and government programs

What we're looking for

We recognize candidates may bring different combinations of experience. The strongest candidates will have several of the following:

• Experience developing space solar cells, spacecraft photovoltaic arrays, or spacecraft power systems

• Track record leading engineering teams or complex technical programs

• Background in perovskite, tandem, or thin-film solar technologies

• Familiarity with photovoltaic device engineering, semiconductor materials, or aerospace power systems

• Experience with radiation effects on solar cells and space environmental testing

• Knowledge of lightweight panel architectures and reliability in LEO environments

• Experience qualifying hardware for flight readiness

Why this role matters

Space is entering a new era—more satellite launches, growing interest in orbital AI data centers, and early exploration of space-based solar power beamed to Earth. The demand for photovoltaic power in orbit is accelerating.

While III–V solar cells remain the gold standard, their manufacturing base is tapped out. Silicon offers lower efficiency and durability. Perovskite/silicon tandems bridge the efficiency gap while enabling a low-cost, quickly scalable manufacturing base to meet this moment. This role will lead Tandem PV’s entry into the space solar market, delivering high-efficiency, lightweight power systems for satellites and spacecraft—and establishing space solar as a major product line for the company.

Tandem PV uses perovskite & silicon mechanically-stacked tandems to upgrade silicon solar panels, sharply decreasing installed systems costs, significantly increasing module manufacturing profit margins, and opening up vast new solar markets in the US and worldwide. TPV was co-founded by Stanford PhDs Colin Bailie and Chris Eberspacher; is advised by industry experts from Corning, First Solar, Vivint Solar, and Kateeva; has raised more than $50M in Series A funding. We were recently recognized as the Best Pre-Commercial Venture of 2025 by the Industry Growth Forum (IGF)

We are a team of people who are passionate about building a more sustainable world by delivering a new generation of solar panels to the market. We are constantly growing and are always looking for dedicated, hardworking, and empathetic teammates.

Tandem PV is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.