Test Engineer - Solar Simulator
Exowatt
Quality Assurance
Miami, FL, USA
Exowatt is revolutionizing the energy landscape for the AI era with our groundbreaking P3 system that captures solar energy, stores it as heat, and generates electricity on demand. Founded in 2023 and backed by leading investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Sam Altman, and Felicis, we're committed to providing clean, modular, and scalable power that meets the rapidly growing demands of AI infrastructure. Our mission is to make sustainable renewable energy always available and almost free, enabling technological advancement while protecting our planet.
We're hiring a Test Engineer to own day-to-day operation of the solar simulator and lead the characterization and validation testing that feeds directly into our product development. This is a hands-on role for someone who likes working with real hardware, high-flux optics, and high-temperature systems — and who gets energized by the fact that the data they generate actually drives design decisions.
This position is based in Miami, FL. If selected, relocation to Miami, FL is required. Exowatt provides relocation assistance.Key Responsibilities
Plan, set up, and execute test campaigns on the solar simulator, including thermal receiver characterization, material testing, and sub-system validation
Design and build test fixtures, instrumentation setups, and data acquisition systems to capture high-quality experimental data
Operate and maintain the simulator and supporting lab infrastructure — lamp arrays, optics, cooling, controls, and safety systems
Perform flux mapping, spectral characterization, and calibration to ensure test conditions are well-understood and repeatable
Instrument test articles with thermocouples, pyrometers, flow meters, flux sensors, and related diagnostics
Develop data acquisition and control scripts (LabVIEW, Python, or similar) and automate repetitive test sequences
Analyze test data, identify anomalies, and communicate results clearly to R&D, engineering, and leadership stakeholders
Partner closely with design engineers to translate test findings into design improvements
Write test plans, procedures, and reports; maintain rigorous records of configurations, calibrations, and results
Enforce and continuously improve lab safety practices for high-flux, high-temperature, and high-voltage work
Support troubleshooting and root-cause investigations on prototype hardware
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, or a related engineering field
3+ years of hands-on test engineering experience in a lab or prototype environment
Experience designing and executing test plans, including instrumentation selection and test fixture design
Proficiency with data acquisition tools (LabVIEW, Python, MATLAB, or similar) and common lab instrumentation
Strong understanding of heat transfer, thermodynamics, or thermal-fluid systems
Comfort working with high-temperature, high-voltage, or otherwise hazardous equipment, and a demonstrated safety-first mindset
Clear technical writing and the ability to communicate findings to technical and non-technical audiences
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with solar simulators, high-flux testing, or other high-intensity optical systems
Familiarity with thermal receivers, heat exchangers, or high-temperature storage materials
Experience calibrating optical or thermal instrumentation (pyrometers, flux gauges, radiometers)
Background in mechanical fabrication, machining, or hands-on prototype assembly
Previous work in a fast-moving hardware startup environment