Laboratory Manager

The solar industry needs a global end-of-life partner to restore, renew, and ultimately recycle yesterday’s solar panels for tomorrow’s clean energy projects. SOLARCYCLE aims to be the partner of choice for solar asset owners looking for a responsible solution to their end-of-life system needs. And we need you to direct our field operations to help us become a leader in this new burgeoning sector in the renewable energy industry.

About the Role:

SOLARCYCLE specializes in recycling crystalline silicon solar panels, and we are committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in solar energy. We are seeking an experienced Laboratory Manager to oversee our glass lab operations. In this role, you will be instrumental in developing lab capabilities, ensuring safety and compliance, and supporting critical glass-related projects that drive our mission forward.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate on Glass Projects:

• Work closely with the operations team and the broader R&D group to advance glass-related projects that align with SOLARCYCLE’s strategic goals.

• Lead the development and optimization of lab capabilities to conduct precise glass property measurements, including spindle viscometry, dilatometry, and high-temperature TGA-DSC.

• Champion a safety-first culture by overseeing safety protocols and hazardous control in the high-temperature glass melting and characterization lab.
• Ensure all lab activities comply with safety regulations and best practices.

• Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs) for all glass lab equipment, ensuring safe and efficient operations.

• Provide leadership and mentorship to lab technicians, guiding them in glass melting, sample preparation, and property measurement techniques.
• Foster a collaborative and innovative environment within the lab.

• Prioritize and support glass plant operations, ensuring that lab processes align with and enhance production needs.

• Collaborate with the glass scientist to prepare and deliver detailed technical reports and documentation for both internal stakeholders and external customers.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• At least 3 years of hands-on experience in glass batching, melting, and operating TGA-DSC, dilatometer, and spindle viscometer.
• Proven experience in lab management or coordination, preferably in a high-temperature or materials science environment.
• Strong understanding of glass properties and measurement techniques.
• Experience in developing and enforcing safety procedures and hazardous control measures.
• Leadership and mentoring skills, with experience managing and developing a team.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively across teams and communicate complex technical information clearly.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in the solar energy industry or with glass-related projects.
• Familiarity with circular economy principles and sustainable practices.

You don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. If you think this role is for you but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right person for this role.

You will be working alongside a highly successful team who deliver amazing innovative work in the solar PV industry! The solar industry needs a global end-of-life partner to restore, renew and ultimately recycle yesterday’s solar panels for tomorrow’s clean energy projects. SOLARCYCLE aims to be the partner of choice for solar asset owners looking for a responsible solution to their end-of-life system needs.

Solar power is one of the most powerful tools humanity has in our fight against climate change. But for solar to truly scale to its full potential, we need to create renewable supply chains and a vibrant secondary market for upcycled panels and recycled materials. Since its launch in 2022, SOLARCYCLE has assembled a world-class management team with experience scaling companies and organizations such as Amazon, Nextracker, Sierra Club, Solaria, and SunPower. The company has secured high-volume contracts with industry leaders such as AES, EDF Renewables North America, EDP Renewables North America, Greenbacker, Ørsted, Qcells, Silfab, Silicon Ranch, and Sunrun. This is the next frontier – ensuring a cleaner, more sustainable and domestic supply of the critical minerals needed for the next wave of solar. We exist to make clean energy massively scalable and even more sustainable by radically advancing recycling technology and infrastructure for the solar industry. If this resonates with you, we really want to meet you.