Applications Engineer

DESCRIPTION

About the Opportunity The Applications Engineer serves as a technical bridge between Ascent Solar's customers, Sales team and internal Engineering and Manufacturing teams, helping translate customer needs into practical product solutions.This role supports customer-driven product design and development across markets ranging from space and aerospace to terrestrial and maritime applications. The successful candidate will combine strong CAD/SolidWorks design skills with the ability to communicate complex engineering concepts clearly to audiences ranging from non-technical customers to experienced engineering teams. The ideal candidate is a technically strong, detail-oriented engineer who is equally comfortable guiding a customer through product capabilities and requirements and collaborating directly with customer engineers on technical specifications, design details and integration challenges. What You'll Do Partner with Sales and customers to understand application needs, technical requirements, operating environments and performance objectives. Translate customer requirements into clear engineering specifications, concepts, drawings and design recommendations. Create, modify and maintain 3D models, assemblies, drawings and engineering documentation using SolidWorks and related CAD tools. Collaborate with internal Engineering and Manufacturing teams to assess feasibility, design constraints, manufacturability, performance and opportunities for optimization. Work directly with customer engineering and technical teams to discuss specifications, design details, interfaces, testing needs and technical challenges. Explain Ascent Solar product capabilities, technical trade-offs and engineering concepts in clear, accessible language tailored to each customer's technical knowledge. Support product development, prototyping, testing, troubleshooting and iterative design changes based on customer feedback and engineering findings. Maintain accurate engineering documentation and ensure customer requirements and approved design changes are clearly communicated to internal stakeholders. Other duties as assigned. Value-Add Qualifications Experience supporting customers in space, aerospace, defense, energy, electronics, maritime or advanced manufacturing markets. Experience designing components or assemblies for manufacturability and product integration. Experience with thin-film photovoltaics, solar technologies, semiconductor manufacturing or related technologies. Familiarity with GD&T and engineering drawing standards. Familiarity with electrical isolation, grounding, fault protection, and magnetic moment considerations associated with array wiring and current-loop geometry would be beneficial. Experience working in an early-stage, high-growth or resource-constrained technology environment. Experience supporting aerospace, defense, terrestrial or maritime customers and their technical requirements. REQUIREMENTS Work onsite five (5) days per week in our manufacturing facility located in Thornton, Colorado. Travel up to 45% as customer and business needs require. Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering or a related technical discipline preferred; or equivalent relevant work experience. 3+ years of relevant experience in application engineering, product development, mechanical design, manufacturing engineering or a related technical discipline. Working knowledge of DC electrical systems as they relate to photovoltaic module and solar array design; including an understanding of voltage, current, resistance, power, series and parallel circuit configurations, and electrical load balancing. Foundational understanding of photovoltaic electrical characteristics is important, including Voc, Isc, Vmp, Imp, Pmp, I-V curves, and the effects of temperature, irradiance, shading, and cell/module mismatch on electrical performance. Capacity to evaluate customer electrical requirements and develop or recommend appropriate cell, module, and string configurations to meet voltage, current, and power requirements. This includes consideration of MPPT and power-management input limits, circuit balancing, conductor and interconnect losses, and appropriate application of blocking and bypass diodes. Strong hands-on experience with SolidWorks or comparable 3D CAD software. Demonstrated ability to create and interpret engineering drawings, models, assemblies and technical documentation. Strong technical aptitude, mechanical design skills and practical problem-solving capabilities. Demonstrated ability to translate customer needs into clear technical requirements and manufacturable engineering solutions. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to adapt technical explanations to customers, Sales partners, technicians and experienced engineers. Understanding of manufacturing processes, material requirements and design-for-manufacturability principles. Exceptional attention to detail and documentation discipline. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Ability to manage multiple customer projects and priorities while maintaining accuracy and follow-through. Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills. Comfort engaging in both customer-facing discussions and detailed engineer-to-engineer technical conversations. Self-motivated, entrepreneurial and results-oriented mindset. Ability to work independently while operating effectively within a highly collaborative environment. Must be authorized to work in the United States. Sponsorship is not available. Why You'll Love Working Here Competitive Pay: $90,000 - $115,000 per year base with potential bonus and equity Benefits and Work/Life Balance: Comprehensive Medical, Dental and Vision coverage with significant employer contribution Company paid Short/Long Term Disability and Basic Life Insurance 401k with up to 4% employer match Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) Program 11 paid holidays per year The opportunity to work with innovative thin-film photovoltaic technology A high-impact engineering role with meaningful influence over customer applications and product development, working across Engineering, Sales and Manufacturing The opportunity to be innovative every day, and grow with an emerging tech company A collaborative, low-ego work environment where technical expertise and problem-solving are valued A fun work environment with regular events and wellness opportunities Who We Are Our mission is to pioneer the development of lightweight, durable, and flexible thin-film photovoltaic cells that seamlessly integrate into our customers' designs, from satellites to aquatic and terrestrial systems and beyond. As a team of world-class engineers, thought leaders, and innovators, we are dedicated to expanding the use case for solar technologies, and reducing reliance on conventional power sources. Through our cutting-edge solutions, we strive to power technology across land, sea and space. Our vision at Ascent Solar is to lead the transformation of the global energy landscape by making solar power accessible and integral to all facets of modern life. We envision a world where our innovative thin-film photovoltaic technology powers everything from space exploration to sustainable agriculture, driving a universal shift towards renewable energy. Through relentless innovation and collaboration, we aim to inspire a future where clean, reliable solar energy is the cornerstone of a sustainable planet. Ascent Solar is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer committed to finding the best people from all walks of life and creating a diverse and inclusive workspace, where everyone is welcomed and valued for their unique contribution to our team! Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc.