R&D Technician (Swing Shift)

Tandem PV is a U.S.-based solar technology company specializing in the development and manufacture of perovskite-silicon tandem solar panels. The company combines thin-film perovskite layers with conventional silicon modules to produce panels that have achieved 30% efficiency, representing approximately 40% more power output in the same physical footprint compared to standard silicon panels. Tandem PV targets utility-scale solar infrastructure and is designed to integrate seamlessly into existing solar supply chains. The company's mission centers on restoring U.S. leadership in solar manufacturing and delivering a generational step change in solar performance at a time when global energy demand is surging due to AI growth, electrification, and energy security needs. Conventional silicon solar technology has approached its practical efficiency limits, and Tandem PV positions its perovskite-silicon tandem approach as the critical next phase of solar evolution, manufactured domestically in the United States. What distinguishes Tandem PV is its combination of industry-leading efficiency, demonstrated long-term durability — with accelerated testing showing less than 1% annual degradation — and a lower total cost of ownership by generating more energy per panel without significantly increasing cost per watt. The company holds a growing portfolio of patents covering perovskite-layer technology, system design, and durability innovations, and has attracted backing from notable investors including Eclipse. Former U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm has joined its board, underscoring the company's strategic significance in clean energy.

At Tandem PV, we are a team of people who are passionate about building a more sustainable world by bringing cost effective solar panels onto the market. We’re scaling metal-halide perovskite solar technology to make best-in-class mechanically stacked tandem modules.   We have built efficient, durable cells, monolithic multi-cell submodules, and packaged modules with our scalable, low-cost process. Our next focus is expanding our team to bring our product to market at scale.

In this critical role, you will work closely with a team of engineers and technicians in our R&D laboratory to execute and develop thin-film solution deposition processes for perovskite solar modules. The hours for this role will be roughly Noon to 8pm, but will have an 8 to 5 training sequence over the first 3-4 weeks.

You will interface directly with colleagues across teams to develop and execute experimental plans that advance the performance and durability of our perovskite modules.

To be great at this role, you will have:

• A can-do attitude: To be a bit corny, you blaze a trail where there is none, rather than identify obstacles for others to clear.

• Comfort with uncertainty: You will often be operating in an environment requiring autonomy in judgment and action, and will need to identify, communicate, and execute on a plan and report when you identify issues.

• Flexibility: You have broad capabilities in the laboratory and can flex in several directions (at once, if need be) to solve multifaceted problems that defy disciplinary boundaries.

• An interest in learning: If you don't know anything about our product, but want to live in a better world and are willing to learn from your coworkers and independently, we may have a place for you.

• A goal-oriented mindset: You come to work to achieve objectives, not check off items on a list. You're focused on getting your work product past the goalpost, and you don't put it down until you've done that.

• Pride in your work: You clean up after yourself; you take an extra few minutes to label or tidy or otherwise organize your space; you want to "do it right."

• Communication skills: You can clearly communicate about what you did in the lab, or you can give a headline because your colleague is in a hurry. You are comfortable presenting to a group; you can balance frankness with tact and kindness.

Qualifications:

We can teach a lot, but there are some basics you'll need to know to hit the ground running. That includes:

• Work experience that shows you are willing to push projects forward and work as a team to accomplish goals.

• Work in a scientific or engineering related industry. Experience with solution processing of semiconductor thin films would be ideal but is not a requirement. Directly relevant adjacent experience that we'd love to see includes hands-on work with microdispensing, screen printing, or inkjet printing. Experience with coating and curing processes — such as aerosol/spray coating or epoxy coating (e.g., from the battery industry) — is also of interest.

• Hands-on laboratory experience is a plus.

• Able to take detailed and meticulous notes of processing conditions and observations when running experiments and processes.

• Driven to accomplish tasks toward producing solar modules and progressing as a larger team to make high-performing and durable perovskite modules.

What we offer:

An awesome team of dedicated technologists changing the way the world is powered! If that’s not enough, we’ll take good care of you and your family with:

• Flexible PTO

• Healthcare coverage

• Life Insurance

• Long-term & Short-term Disability

• Parental leave

• Meaningful equity

Founded in 2016 by Stanford PhD graduates Colin Bailie and Chris Eberspacher, TandemPV is pioneering the next generation of solar technology through high-efficiency, mechanically stacked perovskite-silicon tandem panels. As an early leader in this technology, we're focused on delivering significantly greater power output than conventional solar panels while reducing costs and advancing American solar manufacturing.

Headquartered in Fremont, California, TandemPV has grown to approximately 65 employees and operates a 65,000-square-foot R&D and manufacturing facility. With more than $100 million in funding raised, we're accelerating the transition from breakthrough research to commercial-scale manufacturing. Our experienced leadership team has successfully executed 10 federal and state-funded projects and continues to advance strategic partnerships, product development, and manufacturing innovation.

Recognized as the 2025 Best Pre-Commercial Venture by the Industry Growth Forum and named among America's Top GreenTech Companies by TIME for three consecutive years, TandemPV is helping shape the future of clean energy.

We're building a team of talented, driven individuals who thrive on solving complex challenges, developing innovative technologies, and turning ambitious ideas into real-world products. At TandemPV, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact as we scale our technology, expand U.S. manufacturing, and bring next-generation solar solutions to market.

Tandem PV is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.