SunDrive

Junior Mechatronics Engineer

Join SunDrive in Sydney as a Junior Mechatronics Engineer working on innovative solar technology. Gain hands-on experience in automation system design and testing within a passionate team. Enjoy learning opportunities, international travel, and benefits like paid learning leave and EV leasing.
SunDrive
SunDrive Sydney, Australia On-site Contract position UTC+10:00

SunDrive

Company Overview

Name

SunDrive (privately held)

Headquarters

Sydney, Australia

Founded

2015

Size

Approximately 50-60 employees (source: linkedin.com)

What They Do

SunDrive is a Sydney-based solar technology company specializing in the development of advanced solar-cell manufacturing technologies focused on copper metallisation processes that replace silver in high-efficiency solar cells (source: sundrivesolar.com). Their core innovation lies in a direct copper plating technique that produces thinner metal lines, allowing more light to enter the cell, thereby improving efficiency while significantly reducing material costs due to copper's abundance and lower price compared to silver (source: sundrivesolar.com). The technology supports the use of thinner silicon wafers, further lowering bulk silicon costs, and offers enhanced conductivity that reduces resistive losses in solar cells (source: sundrivesolar.com). SunDrive’s products are not finished solar panels but rather a manufacturing technology stack aimed at solar cell makers, module manufacturers, and equipment partners seeking to produce lower-cost, higher-efficiency solar cells (source: sundrivesolar.com). Their approach is designed to be licensing-friendly, enabling broad industry adoption and scalability (source: arena.gov.au).

Projects & Track Record

SunDrive’s landmark achievement is the development of commercial-size, high-efficiency silicon solar cells produced at their Sydney facility, including a 2021 milestone where they achieved one of the highest efficiencies globally for commercial-size cells (source: bloomberg.com). They reported a 26.07% efficiency for a silver-free commercial-size silicon PV cell and a 26.41% efficiency for a full-size silicon cell using heterojunction technology compatible with mass production (source: sundrivesolar.com). Their Kurnell pilot and commercialisation facility, officially opened in 2025 by the Australian Prime Minister and Minister for Climate Change and Energy, marks the transition from laboratory research to pilot production (source: sundrivesolar.com). ARENA has supported SunDrive’s path toward a 300 MW commercial-scale production tool, with modules produced at the facility undergoing in-field testing to validate early market acceptance (source: arena.gov.au). Industrial partnerships include collaborations with Suzhou Maxwell Technologies and Jiangsu Vistar Equipment Technology to advance commercialisation, as well as a memorandum of understanding with Trinasolar to establish a majority Australian-owned joint venture under the federal Solar Sunshot program (source: sundrivesolar.com, innovationaus.com). Additionally, SunDrive collaborates with Professor Anita Ho-Baillie and the University of Sydney on perovskite-silicon tandem cells, further expanding their technology portfolio (source: perovskite-info.com).

Recent Developments

In November 2025, ARENA committed up to AU$25.3 million to support SunDrive’s scaling and commercialisation efforts for its copper metallisation technology, focusing on process development, upgraded tooling, and in-field testing as part of the next commercialization phase (source: arena.gov.au, pv-tech.org). In December 2024, SunDrive announced a production yield exceeding 99% at its Sydney commercial pilot facility, with cells being converted into modules, marking a significant proof-of-concept milestone and demonstrating progress from a 1.5 MW prototype scale toward over 100 MW per year commercial capacity (source: pv-magazine-australia.com). Earlier in October 2024, SunDrive and Trinasolar signed a memorandum of understanding to pursue a majority Australian-owned joint venture under the federal Solar Sunshot program, with the proposed manufacturing facility expected to create more than 300 skilled jobs (source: innovationaus.com). SunDrive has also received substantial government backing, including AU$11 million and AU$14 million in prior ARENA funding rounds to scale and demonstrate its copper-metallised PV cell technology (source: dcceew.gov.au, arena.gov.au).

Working There

SunDrive hires professionals primarily in advanced manufacturing, research and development, and commercialization roles, reflecting its focus on solar cell technology innovation, pilot production, and scale-up activities (source: sundrivesolar.com, arena.gov.au). The company’s collaborations with equipment suppliers, universities, and its pilot manufacturing facility suggest opportunities across engineering, materials science, process development, operations, and business development functions (source: sundrivesolar.com, perovskite-info.com). SunDrive operates from its Sydney headquarters with a physical office presence, and future growth is anticipated through its proposed local manufacturing venture, which could create over 300 skilled jobs, indicating significant expansion potential in manufacturing and operational roles (source: linkedin.com, builtin.com, innovationaus.com).

Last updated on Sep 5, 2026 | Report an issue

SunDrive's proprietary technology enables the use of copper instead of silver for solar cell electrodes. This technological breakthrough has significant benefits, including greater efficiency, lower cost, a scalable supply chain, and more environmentally friendly production.

Founded in 2015, SunDrive is backed by some of Australia's top venture capital firms (Blackbird, Main Sequence, Virescent, Grok), tech founders, and the Australian Government (CEFC, ARENA). SunDrive has quickly grown from a UNSW Ph.D. project in a garage to producing the world's most efficient commercial-sized solar cells.

As a Junior Mechatronics Engineer, you'll work alongside experienced software and mechatronics engineers, gaining hands-on experience in how we design, build and validate automation systems for our customers. You'll have the opportunity to develop your technical skills while contributing to real-world engineering projects and commercial solutions.

If you're excited by the opportunity to help SunDrive bring its novel technology from R&D into commercial deployment, while learning and growing as part of a passionate, high-impact engineering team, we want to hear from you!

This role is a fixed term, 6-month contract.

You Will

  • Work on a hardware/software-based subsystem, building responsibility as you gain experience across design, prototyping, testing and commissioning.
  • Contribute to the development and improvement of our lab and production systems in Kurnell, gaining hands-on experience in a real-world R&D environment and supporting engineering activities that enable system performance and reliability.
  • Be someone who is curious, passionate about engineering, keen to learn and comfortable taking initiative while working with cross-functional teams.
  • Have exciting opportunities for international travel will arise as you help support the deployment and commissioning of our technology.

About You

  • You have a Bachelor's degree in Mechatronics or a related engineering discipline.
  • You bring a hands-on approach to problem-solving and an interest in working across both hardware and software systems.
  • You are interested in developing your skills across embedded systems, electronics, software and automation.
  • Experience gained through university, internships, projects or personal interests is a bonus, but a willingness to learn and get hands-on is what matters most.

Bonus Points If You Have

  • Mandarin speaking and writing skills
  • A passion project you would love to share

SunDrive Benefits

  • Meaningful Work & Ownership
    • Access SunDrive's Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP) - real ownership in SunDrive's growth (permanent employees only)
    • Work on breakthrough solar technology with global impact.
    • Be part of a tight, high-performing team where your ideas matter
  • Learning & Growth
    • Company-wide L&D Fund for courses, coaching, and technical development
    • Dedicated weekly learning time
    • 2 days of paid L&D leave per year
  • Leave & Flexibility
    • Unlimited rollover on annual and personal leave
    • Parental Leave: 13 weeks primary / 6 weeks secondary caregiver leave.
    • Paid antenatal leave and support for early arrivals, surrogacy, and return-to-work planning
  • Health & Wellbeing
    • Free, confidential EAP support for employees and immediate family
  • Financial & Everyday Perks
    • EV-only novated leasing
    • Weekly transport (tolls and public transport) allowance up to $45
    • Tuesday lunches covered
    • Snacks and drinks onsite for your convenience

SunDrive Solar Pty Ltd is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

SunDrive is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let us know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.

Apply now

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About the role

September 9, 2026

September 11, 2026

Contract position

On-site

Company

Solar Energy

SunDrive

sundrivesolar.com

  •  Sydney, Australia

Entry-level

UTC+10:00

Tags

Photovoltaics · Solar Installation · Research and Development