Powering the Future of Solar Technology with Qcells

At Qcells, we don’t just envision a greener future—we actively create it.
As a global leader in photovoltaic technology and a proud member of the Hanwha Group, a FORTUNE® Global 500 enterprise, we are dedicated to shaping the next generation of solar energy. Our Center for Innovation, Technology and Quality in Thalheim (near Leipzig/Halle/Berlin) is home to over 200 experts driving advancements in solar cells and modules, “Engineered in Germany.”

We are currently looking for a highly motivated SpacePV Integration & Failure Analysis Expert to strengthen our activities in space-qualified photovoltaic technologies. If you are passionate about enabling reliable solar power under extreme space conditions and understanding complex degradation mechanisms, we would love to hear from you.

Your Role: Driving Reliability & Qualification for Space Applications

As a key member of our R&D team, you will focus on the integration, reliability, and failure mechanisms of solar cells under space conditions, while also supporting qualification and certification activities according to relevant space standards (e.g. ESA / ECSS / JEC).

Your Key Responsibilities:

Integration Under Extreme Conditions:

• Analyse interactions between materials, process steps, and device performance under space-relevant environments
• Evaluate behaviour of device stacks under radiation exposure, vacuum, and thermal cycling
• Develop strategies for robust, radiation-hard and long-lifetime solar cells

Failure Analysis & Degradation Mechanisms:

• Perform deep-dive failure analyses for performance degradation in space environments
• Investigate radiation-induced degradation (proton, electron, heavy ion irradiation)
• Analyse thermal cycling effects and mechanical stress across mission profiles (LEO, MEO, GEO)
• Identify and model dominant degradation pathways and lifetime limitations

Qualification & Standards Compliance:

• Support and guide qualification campaigns according to ESA / ECSS standards and JEC recommendations
• Define and interpret test plans, irradiation campaigns, and environmental stress protocols
• Interface with external test facilities and certification bodies
• Ensure traceability of results and alignment with space-grade reliability requirements

Data Integration & Interpretation:

• Combine irradiation test results, environmental testing, process data, and characterization results (e.g. PL/EL)
• Correlate degradation behaviour with device architecture and material systems
• Build and maintain failure catalogues and degradation models for space applications

Collaboration & Technology Transfer:

• Collaborate with internal R&D, external partners, and aerospace stakeholders
• Support the transition of technologies into qualified, production-ready solutions
• Contribute to development of next-generation SpacePV concepts

Your Profile: Expertise in SpacePV & Qualification Standards

We are looking for a candidate with strong expertise in space photovoltaics, harsh environment physics, and qualification requirements.

Your Qualifications:

• Degree in physics, materials science, engineering, or related field (PhD preferred)
• Proven experience in space photovoltaics (SpacePV) or space-grade semiconductor technologies
• Strong understanding of radiation effects on solar cells and semiconductor devices
• Experience with irradiation campaigns (proton, electron, heavy ions) and data interpretation
• Knowledge of thermal cycling, vacuum behaviour, and environmental stress testing

Highly desirable:

• Experience with ESA / ECSS standards, JEC recommendations, or comparable space qualification frameworks
• Familiarity with certification processes, qualification test flows, and reliability requirements for space missions
• Experience working with external space agencies, certification bodies, or aerospace partners
• Strong background in failure analysis and device physics
• Analytical, structured, and solution-oriented working style
• Ability to interpret complex degradation datasets and derive actionable insights
• Strong communication skills in an international environment
• Very good written and spoken English (German is a plus)

Why Qcells?

• Work on next-generation photovoltaic technologies for space applications
• Be part of a highly innovative and interdisciplinary R&D team
• Access to advanced testing environments and international collaboration networks
• Contribute to cutting-edge developments in a rapidly growing field
• Help enable sustainable energy solutions beyond Earth

Ready to Shape the Future of Solar Energy in Space?

If you are excited about tackling the challenges of space environments and bringing solar technologies to qualified, mission-ready systems, we want to hear from you.

Apply today and join a team that’s redefining the solar industry—on Earth and beyond!

Qcells is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Please send your application including Cover Letter, CV and References to: 

hr-techgroup@qcells.eu 

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Hanwha Q CELLS GmbH
OT Thalheim
Sonnenallee 17 - 21
06766 Bitterfeld-Wolfen
Deutschland

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Schlüsselwörter: MINT / STEM, Solar, Photovoltaik, Forschung, Entwicklung, F&E / R&D, Physik, Chemie, Ingenieur, Wissenschaftler, Chemiker, Physiker, Labor, MSA, ISO9001, ISO17025, ISO45001, TRGS 526