Reliability Engineer - Photovoltaics

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 Reliability Engineer at Swift, you’ll drive cell-package interactions and module-level reliability, addressing the unique challenges of a first-generation technology moving from concept through certification and towards manufacturing.

On a typical day, you might schedule and execute reliability tests on tandem mini-modules and full modules—spanning environmental, thermomechanical, and accelerated life tests such as damp heat, thermal cycling, UV, and outdoor exposure—then evaluate the results. You might perform failure analysis on tandem modules, design a non-standard accelerated stress protocol to reproduce a field failure, or coordinate third-party testing with external labs.

You’ll contribute a reliability perspective, collaborate with the Product Management team on lifetime modeling, and develop hypotheses you communicate clearly to the Materials R&D, Process Engineering, and Product Development teams. As an early hire, you’ll help shape how the reliability function operates as the team grows and interacts with every part of the company along the way.

You might be a good fit if you... 

• Have 3–5 years of experience in PV module reliability, spanning from R&D to third-party validation and certification.
• Have a demonstrated ability to diagnose failure mechanisms and translate findings into data-driven insights for cross-functional teams.
• Have experience working with external testing labs to define and complete testing.
• Have a solid understanding of PV cell and module device physics.
• Have a proven ability to work well with cross-functional teams (R&D, Product Development, Engineering, Manufacturing), showing strong communication and empathy.
• Are proficient in statistical analysis software (e.g., JMP) and the application of statistics to reliability analysis.

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

• Experience with more than one PV cell type.
• Experience developing non-standard accelerated testing protocols for a first-generation technology.
• Familiarity with reliability engineering tools (e.g., FMEA, 8D, RCA, DFR).
• Experience sourcing reliability test equipment.
• An understanding of why solving climate change is an urgent and critical challenge.
• Genuine enthusiasm for the challenges that come with working at a startup.

The logistics

• Compensation: Competitive package including salary, equity, and benefits
• Expected Pay Range: $110,000 - $150,000 per year
• The actual offer, reflecting total compensation and benefits, will be determined by factors such as relevant experience, skills, and other qualifications 
• Ideal start date: July-August 2026
• 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 recognize 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 check out other career opportunities on our website and email us at [email protected] with any questions. And if you have a friend who would be a perfect fit, send them this link. Thanks!

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