Mechanical Design Engineer

Swift Solar is an American solar technology and manufacturing company focused on developing and commercializing next-generation perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells. The company combines proven silicon heterojunction (HJT) cell technology with perovskite-silicon tandem technology, which can produce up to 1.5 times the power output of conventional silicon solar panels. Swift Solar holds foundational intellectual property in perovskite photovoltaics and is building toward gigawatt-scale domestic manufacturing in the United States. Swift Solar's mission is rooted in advancing clean energy by unlocking the full potential of solar power through superior cell efficiency, stability equivalent to a 30-year lifetime, and scalable manufacturing processes. The company targets a broad range of markets including data centers, space and defense applications, utility-scale solar, commercial and industrial facilities, and residential and community solar installations. By producing high-performance solar technology domestically, Swift Solar aims to strengthen the American clean energy supply chain and reduce land and cost requirements for solar deployment. Founded by scientific pioneers from MIT, Stanford, Oxford, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Swift Solar's leadership team also includes manufacturing executives with experience at companies such as Meyer Burger, First Solar, and Bloom Energy. The company's co-founders have collectively contributed to more than 250 patents and 300 academic papers with over 200,000 citations, representing some of the deepest technical expertise in perovskite photovoltaics in the world. Swift Solar has received backing from a range of notable investors and is positioned as a leading contender in the next generation of American solar manufacturing.

About the company

At Swift Solar, our mission is to unlock the full potential of solar energy. We believe solar can provide affordable, reliable, resilient, clean energy to virtually anyone, anywhere. But while today’s solar technology is good, it’s not good enough.

Swift Solar’s breakthrough perovskite-silicon tandem technology will drive solar power to commanding new heights. Our tandem cells stack a perovskite layer on top of a heterojunction (HJT) silicon cell, delivering dramatically higher efficiency than traditional silicon alone. In 2026, we acquired Meyer Burger’s HJT intellectual property and manufacturing assets, giving us the world’s most extensive HJT patent portfolio and a clear path to gigawatt-scale domestic production.

This vertically integrated approach means we can design, manufacture, and scale next-generation solar solutions entirely in the United States—from silicon foundations to perovskite innovations. Our technology enables applications ranging from space solar to utility-scale power generation, creating American-made solutions for a world facing growing energy challenges.

Swift Solar is on a journey to bring revolutionary clean-energy technology to market. We’re in it for the long haul, with support from world-class investors. Join our extraordinary team building the cutting-edge solar technology that will power the future.

 

A day in the life

As a Mechanical Design Engineer at Swift, you will help us develop, build, and maintain the equipment to create the next generation of solar products. Your main responsibility will be working with the equipment engineering team to design, procure, and install parts and assemblies for thin-film deposition and processing equipment. Your designs will help Swift improve process performance and prepare for manufacturing scale-up. 

On a typical day, you might design components for vacuum chambers and other process equipment, make drawings to send to suppliers to source high-quality parts quickly and cost-effectively, perform a thermal and mechanical analysis of a new assembly, install and troubleshoot an assembly, test such an assembly in production mode,  document findings, and consider improving operating procedures and design changes based on testing.  You will also help develop Swift’s engineering practices and documentation standards. 

As part of the hardware team, you’ll help craft Swift’s culture. In this role, you’ll be interacting with every part of the company, which will naturally lead to many opportunities to grow your own skills and responsibilities. We encourage you to take full advantage of these opportunities.

You might be a good fit if you... 

• 5+ years of industrial engineering experience working with vacuum equipment or other materials processing equipment in photovoltaics, semiconductors, batteries, or a similar industry.
• Experience working with suppliers and optimizing designs for manufacturability, cost, and serviceability. 
• Proficiency working with a formal document control system and release process for parts and drawings.
• Have a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Have used 3D CAD software to design a variety of parts made by machining, 3D printing, sheet metal processes, and/or welding (SolidWorks preferred).
• Enjoy working with suppliers to source quality parts, test systems you and the team designed, and troubleshoot complex systems.
• Have a desire to learn standards and best practices to help improve Swift’s engineering processes.

A strong candidate might bring one or more of the following...

• Knowledge of proper dimensioning and tolerance analysis, including ASME Y14.5M.
• Past projects using computational fluid dynamics and finite element analysis for flow, thermal, and structural simulations (using ANSYS or similar).
• Experience with a process of releasing prototype equipment into high-volume manufacturing.
• 2D drafting of electrical schematics for industrial controls in AutoCAD or similar.
• Vacuum equipment design experience

 

The logistics

• Compensation: Competitive package including salary, equity, and benefits
• Expected pay range: $120-140K per year
• The actual offer, reflecting total compensation and benefits, will be determined by factors such as years of relevant experience, skills, and other qualifications 
• Ideal start date: Dec 2026 - Jan 2027
• Job type: Full-time
• Location: San Carlos, CA (Swift Solar HQ)

What you’ll love about Swift

• Work with purpose: Join our mission to unlock the full potential of solar energy and make a global impact. 
• Lead with innovation: Be part of an extraordinary team building cutting-edge solar technology - growth mindset; culture
• Thrive with benefits: Have 100% of your monthly premiums for HMO / PPO group healthcare plan options and 75% of your dental and vision insurance premiums covered by us. Employees also benefit from 401(k) matching, clean commuter benefits, and meaningful equity. 
• Invest in your career: You’ll grow your skills, your network, and your perspective at Swift. We’ll support you in attending conferences and taking online courses, as long as you share your new insights with the team.

 

We acknowledge that candidates from underrepresented backgrounds often hesitate to apply if they don’t meet all the criteria. If you’re excited about this role and believe you can contribute to our team, we encourage you to apply—even if you don’t meet every qualification listed. We're eager to meet people from all backgrounds, and your unique skills and experiences could be exactly what we need.

If you believe in our mission but this isn’t the right job for you, please explore other career opportunities on our website and email us at [email protected] with any questions. If you have a friend who would be a perfect fit, share this link with them. Thanks!

Swift is an equal opportunity employer. We value an inclusive work environment and welcome team members of all backgrounds and perspectives.