Solution Processed Coating Researcher — Lead Engineer

About this role

Application close date: Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed. At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We’re working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!   

This role is part of Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering (ACE), supporting Blue Origin’s mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. The team fosters innovation and drives engineering workflows of the future, shared solutions and standards, simplicity and lower costs, and manufacturable design.

You will lead the development of solution-processed deposition techniques to deposit perovskite absorber layers, charge transport layers, and interface modification layers. You will own formulation, coating parameter optimization, crystallization, drying and annealing science for scalable manufacturing. You will be responsible for establishing process-structure-property relationships that enable statistical process control.

Responsibilities • Develop and optimize solution-based deposition processes for perovskite absorber layers and charge transport materials • Formulate and characterize precursors: solvent systems, additive engineering, shelf-life stability • Design and commission coating equipment for perovskite-specific requirements (inert atmosphere, substrate heating, meniscus control, drying zones) • Develop drying and annealing protocols (thermal, vacuum-assisted, gas quenching, anti-solvent) that control nucleation, grain growth, and crystallographic orientation • Map process-structure-property relationships through systematic DOE campaigns correlating coating parameters with film morphology and device performance • Establish scalable coating processes with defined process windows, uniformity specifications, and in-line quality metrics • Develop defect classification and root-cause analysis methods for coating defects (pinholes, dewetting, thickness non-uniformity) • Define scale-up pathway from lab-scale to pilot-scale continuous coating

Minimum Qualifications • B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, or related field • 8+ years of experience in solution-processed thin-film deposition for photovoltaic, OLED, or printed electronics applications • Demonstrated experience formulating functional precursors (perovskite, metal oxide, organic semiconductor, or nanoparticle) • Strong understanding of film formation mechanisms from solution: solvent evaporation, nucleation and growth, anti-solvent crystallization • Hands-on experience with rheology characterization and its relationship to coating quality • Track record of scaling solution-processed films from lab to pilot or production scale

Preferred Qualifications • Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, or related field • Direct experience with perovskite precursor formulation, coating, and crystallization • Experience with roll-to-roll or sheet-to-sheet coating at pilot scale • Knowledge of additive engineering strategies for perovskite grain size control and defect passivation • Experience with in-line metrology for coating processes (optical, thermal imaging, spectroscopic) • Familiarity with amine-based solvents (DMF, DMSO, NMP) — handling, waste management, and exposure controls • Publication record in solution-processed perovskite or printed photovoltaics • Experience managing or mentoring a team of 3+ researchers

  Base Pay Range for: WA applicants is $145,188.00 - $203,263.20 Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement Don’t meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin, we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Export Control Regulations Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check • Required for all positions: Blue’s Standard Background Check • Required for Certain Job Profiles:  Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation • Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification (obtained before onboarding), Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing, vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training. • Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical

Benefits • Benefits include:  Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program. • Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week) • Paid Time Off:  Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays. • D

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