Lead Product Designer

Rayleigh Solar Tech; Dartmouth; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A renewable energy company in Dartmouth (Nova Scotia) is looking for a Lead Product Designer to spearhead the development of innovative flexible solar modules. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Mechanical Engineering or related fields and significant experience in product development, particularly in the solar industry. You will guide the full design process, leveraging your skills in CAD and prototyping to create impactful solar solutions. This role promises a dynamic environment with a focus on meaningful collaboration and real-world impact.

Benefits

Opportunity for real-world impact

Inclusive work environment

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in product development, preferably in solar or flexible electronics.
• Understanding of photovoltaic module structure and encapsulation techniques.
• Familiarity with testing standards for real-world deployments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the product team through the full design cycle of a new solar module.
• Drive product development from concept through prototyping.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize design decisions.

Skills

3D CAD proficiency

Problem-solving skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Hands-on prototyping

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in relevant field

Tools

SolidWorks

Fusion 360

Rhino

Job description

Do you thrive in fast-paced environments, solving complex research challenges to bring breakthrough technologies to market? Join Rayleigh Solar Tech as the Lead Product Designer, where you'll play a pivotal role in scaling the next generation of perovskite solar modules.

In this role, you will lead on the full-cycle development of a flexible solar module system - from concept to functioning prototype. You will combine creative design, material science understanding, electrical integration, and engineering principles to bring new flexible solar panel products to life.

Someone who wants to help shape a new class of flexible, fast-to-install solar systems that expand the reach of clean energy-affordably and efficiently, If this sounds like you, we would love to meet you.

Qualifications

Qualifications & Skills:

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Product Design, or related field
• 4+ years of experience in product development, preferably with thin-film, flexible, solar, or printed electronics
• Advanced proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks, Fusion 360, Rhino, or equivalent) and FEA simulations
• Hands-on skills with prototyping tools and materials (vacuum lamination, film cutting, adhesives, etc.)
• Understanding of photovoltaic module structure, materials, and encapsulation techniques
• Familiarity with testing standards (e.g., IEC 61730) that are required for real-world deployments
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Strong communication skills-you can explain your design choices to both engineers and non-engineers
• Bias toward action: when in doubt, you model it, prototype it, or go find the answer

Core Competencies:

• Practical wizard: Someone who starts with "what if" and finishes with "it works"
• Hustle: Ability to work fast and smart; time management is key for a start-up
• Adaptable: Start-ups are dynamic; our people must be, too
• Curiosity: Excited to take their prior experiences and apply it to a solar product
• Execution: Commitment to delivering results and leading by example. This will include bringing clarity to complex tasks through methodical processes, mentorship, and documentation
• Effective: Proven ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams, including product design, technologist, and operations

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

• Starting from first principles, a creative mindset, and abundant white space, as one of the founding members of the Product Team, you will push the boundaries of what is possible on a new solar deployment model. Key deliverable will be a product concept that meets internal cost metrics and solves many of today's pain-points around incumbent solar deployment.
• You will lead the product team through the full design cycle and iterative process, using generative AI, first principles analysis, and input from the broader team to guide and improve iteration quickly.
• You possess a keen understanding of traditional c-Si deployment models and have questioned "how" designs could be improved to meaningfully impact ease of deployment and cost. With this knowledge, you can inform the Product Team of potential solutions to model, test, validate, and repeat.
• Working within the broader Product Team, you will help drive the product from concept through prototyping, translating requirements into actionable designs and validate performance under real-world constraints like handling, installation, and environmental durability. Your attitude will be one of insatiable curiosity of how the product concept performs in relevant environments - not just on paper.
• Collaborate closely with BoM, cost engineering, and supply chain teams to optimize design decisions for cost efficiency, sourcing simplicity, and streamlined manufacturing. You're acutely aware that every design decision has a push-pull and seek the solution that brings our design to in the field.

Why Join Us

You'll join a small, fast-moving team building hardware that matters. This is your chance to take ownership of design work that gets built, tested, and deployed in the real world-and to shape not just how our solar system looks and works, but how it scales. If you're ready to learn fast, think creatively, and contribute to something with real impact, we want to meet you.

Diversity and Inclusion

At Rayleigh, we know that diversity makes a strong team. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for this position, and we will never discriminate against race, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, religion, marital status or family status. Instead, we work to celebrate the things that make us unique and create an inclusive environment for all employees.

Don't meet all the requirements outlined above but still find yourself excited about this position and Rayleigh's mission? If you believe that you have the skills and experience to excel in this role, we would love to see your application!