Polymer Chemist - Space Solar

Location: Los Angeles (Hawthorne), CA

Employment Type: Full-time

Department: Starlight Solar

Travel: Occasional

Develop, formulate, and qualify polymer encapsulants, edge seals, barrier films, and adhesives for perovskite solar hardware

Engineer moisture and oxygen barrier systems with ultra-low water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) and oxygen transmission rate (OTR) to protect perovskite cells

Develop low-temperature curing and lamination processes compatible with perovskite-cell processing constraints

Drive root-cause investigations on bonding, outgassing, delamination, and ingress-driven degradation across manufacturing and qualification testing

Characterize polymer materials and bonded joints using techniques such as FTIR, DSC, TGA, WVTR/OTR, and lap shear/peel testing

Evaluate polymer and encapsulation performance under space environments — vacuum outgassing (ASTM E595), thermal cycling, UV, atomic oxygen, and ionizing radiation

Translate bench chemistry into stable, high-yield production processes in partnership with cell, panel, and manufacturing engineering

Push back on unnecessary complexity — simplify chemistries, reduce cure times, and cut overhead wherever it doesn't add value

Master's or PhD in polymer chemistry, chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, or a related discipline

3+ years of hands-on experience with polymer encapsulants, adhesives, or barrier films for sensitive optoelectronic or electronic devices (graduate research applicable)

Demonstrated ability to connect polymer chemistry and processing to device-level reliability outcomes

PhD in a relevant discipline with a focus on encapsulation, barrier materials, or polymer chemistry for optoelectronic devices

Direct experience formulating or qualifying encapsulation systems for moisture- and oxygen-sensitive devices (perovskite PV, OLED, OPV, or flexible electronics)

Hands-on experience with ultra-low WVTR/OTR barrier materials, including multilayer and inorganic-organic hybrid barrier stacks

Familiarity with low-temperature cure systems — UV, moisture cure, low-temperature thermal — compatible with perovskite processing constraints

Experience with surface preparation, adhesion science, and bond strength testing

Knowledge of space-grade material requirements — low outgassing (ASTM E595), UV stability, atomic oxygen resistance, and radiation tolerance

Experience scaling polymer processes from bench to high-rate production

Exposure to aerospace, space, or other high-reliability hardware environments

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, you 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.

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