Sr. Design Engineer – Ground Mounted Solar

Ellume Solar Pvt. Ltd.; Mumbai; On-site; INR 1,800,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Ellume Solar Pvt. Ltd. is hiring a design engineer to contribute to ground-mounted solar projects across EPC and development scopes. You will prepare layouts, perform yield simulations, optimize configurations, and ensure electrical and civil drawings meet standards.

You will work with IS/IEC standards, coordinate with geotechnical findings, review vendor submittals, and liaise with DISCOMs and authorities. Willingness to travel to project sites is required.

Qualifications

• B.E./B.Tech in Electrical, Electrical & Electronics, or Energy Engineering is required; other technical backgrounds considered.
• 4–6 years of design engineering experience in ground-mounted or utility-scale solar projects.
• Experience independently executing plant layouts, SLDs, cable sizing and BOQ preparation for commissioned projects.
• Knowledge of CEA standards, IS 3043, IEC 62305, IS 875, IS 1893, and relevant grid codes.
• Familiarity with ALMM, DCR and BIS requirements.
• Geotechnical and topographical survey understanding for foundation planning.
• Ability to read and mark up civil, structural, and electrical drawings; review vendor submittals.
• Mandatory tools: PVsyst and AutoCAD; experience with ETAP/DIgSILENT or equivalent.
• Proficiency with GIS tools (Google Earth Pro, QGIS) and MS Excel/Project or Primavera.
• Strong communication for coordination with DISCOMs, consultants and site teams.
• Willing to travel to project sites and authorities as required.

Responsibilities

• Prepare plant layouts including array blocks, row pitch, GCR, inverter/transformer locations, roads, drainage, control rooms, and boundary demarcation.
• Perform energy yield simulations and loss-tree analysis in PVsyst with shading and horizon profiling.
• Optimise DC/AC ratio, tilt, module orientation, and string configuration across tracking options.
• Interpret surveys and topographic data to assess terrain suitability and land use efficiency.
• Prepare single line diagrams from cells to interconnection points, including auxiliaries.
• Size DC/AC cables and assess voltage drop, short-circuit, and derating.
• Specify and size inverters, panels, transformers, breakers, and metering.
• Design earthing and lightning protection per IS/IEC standards including earth resistance checks.
• Carry out load flow, short-circuit, relay coordination, and reactive power studies.
• Coordinate structural foundations with geotechnical findings and seismic requirements.
• Review civil designs and ensure grading alignment with civil team.
• Develop power evacuation schemes and substation configurations.
• Prepare connectivity and interconnection documentation for approvals.
• Coordinate SCADA, weather station, plant controller, and remote monitoring.
• Prepare design basis reports, datasheets and BOQs; manage revisions.
• Review vendor drawings and release GFC drawings; compile as-built docs.
• Prepare statutory approvals documentation and liaise with authorities.
• Support tendering with technical evaluation and site RFIs; assist commissioning.

Skills

Technical communication

Analytical thinking

Reading drawings

Travel willingness

Education

B.E./B.Tech in Electrical

Mechanical or Civil background with solar design experience

Tools

PVsyst

AutoCAD

ETAP

DIgSILENT PowerFactory

Helioscope

SketchUp

Meteonorm

Solargis

Global Solar Atlas

MS Excel

MS Project

Primavera

Google Earth Pro

QGIS

Job description

At Ellume, we are pioneering the future of clean power. We operate across three verticals—Renewable Energy, Independent Power Production (IPP), Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC), and Technology—committed to driving innovation across the renewable sector.

Responsibilities

• Prepare conceptual and detailed plant layouts including array blocks, row pitch, GCR, inverter and transformer locations, internal roads, cable routes, drainage, control room, and boundary demarcation.
• Carry out energy yield simulation and performance ratio estimation in PVsyst — near and far shading analysis, horizon profiling, soiling and degradation assumptions, and a documented loss tree.
• Optimise DC/AC ratio, tilt angle, module orientation, string configuration, and row spacing, evaluating fixed-tilt versus seasonal-tilt versus single-axis tracker options.
• Interpret topographical and contour surveys, geotechnical reports, and satellite imagery to assess terrain suitability, cut-and-fill, flood levels, and land utilisation efficiency (MW per acre).
• Prepare single line diagrams from string level through combiner boxes, inverters, inverter duty transformers, HT switchgear, and the interconnection point, including auxiliary and station supply.
• Perform string sizing and size DC and AC cables for current-carrying capacity, voltage drop, short-circuit withstand, and derating for grouping, ambient temperature, and laying conditions.
• Specify and size inverters, combiner boxes, LT and HT panels, inverter duty and auxiliary transformers, HT breakers, isolators, CTs, PTs, and metering equipment.
• Design earthing and lightning protection per IS 3043 and IEC 62305, including earth mat design, soil resistivity interpretation, step and touch potential checks, and equipotential bonding.
• Carry out load flow, short-circuit, relay coordination, and reactive power compensation studies, coordinating with external consultants for third-party studies.
• Coordinate module mounting structure design for wind and seismic loading per IS 875 (Part 3) and IS 1893, and evaluate foundation options against geotechnical findings with the structural consultant.
• Review civil designs for control room, inverter and transformer plinths, cable trenches, internal roads, drainage, fencing, and water storage, and align grading philosophy with the Civil team.
• Develop the power evacuation scheme — pooling substation configuration, transformer capacity, bay arrangement, line routing, and metering and protection interface at the interconnection point.
• Prepare technical submissions for connectivity, feeder, and interconnection approvals with DISCOM, STU, or CTU, ensuring compliance with CEA Technical Standards, state grid code, and ABT metering.
• Coordinate SCADA, weather monitoring station, plant controller, and remote monitoring architecture, including communication topology and asset management platform integration.
• Prepare the design basis report, technical specifications, GTPs, datasheets, and item-wise BOQs for DC, AC, structural, and civil scopes, issuing timely revisions against design changes.
• Review and approve vendor drawings, GA drawings, and type test reports; release GFC drawings on schedule with revision control and compile as-built documentation at closeout.
• Prepare and submit documentation for statutory approvals including CEIG charging approval, and coordinate with authorities and third-party inspection agencies until clearance.
• Support tendering with technical evaluation, layout options, and generation estimates; resolve site RFIs; and support pre-commissioning, testing, and performance ratio verification.

Requirements

• B.E. / B.Tech in Electrical, Electrical & Electronics, or Energy Engineering. Mechanical or Civil backgrounds with demonstrable solar plant design experience will also be considered.
• 4–6 years of design engineering experience with substantial exposure to ground-mounted, utility-scale, or distributed solar projects in an EPC, developer, or consultancy environment.
• Demonstrated experience independently executing plant layouts, SLDs, cable sizing, earthing design, and BOQ preparation for at least one commissioned ground-mounted project.
• Strong working knowledge of CEA Technical Standards for Connectivity and Safety, IS 3043, IEC 62305, IS 875 (Part 3), IS 1893, IEC 61215 / 61730, IEC 62109, and the relevant state grid code.
• Familiarity with ALMM, DCR, and BIS requirements and their design implications on module and equipment selection.
• Working understanding of geotechnical reports and topographical surveys and their influence on foundation selection and layout planning.
• Ability to read, interpret, and mark up civil, structural, and electrical drawings, and to review vendor submittals critically rather than at face value.
• Mandatory tools: PVsyst for yield simulation and loss-tree preparation, and AutoCAD for layouts, SLDs, and detail drawings (Civil 3D an advantage).
• Working experience with ETAP, DIgSILENT PowerFactory, or equivalent; Helioscope, SketchUp, Meteonorm, Solargis, or Global Solar Atlas; advanced MS Excel; MS Project or Primavera; and Google Earth Pro with QGIS or equivalent GIS tools.
• Commercial awareness of design decisions, with the ability to evaluate cost impact of specification and layout choices per Wp.
• Clear technical communication for correspondence with DISCOMs, consultants, lenders' engineers, vendors, and site teams, with strong documentation discipline.
• Willing to travel to project sites, vendor works, and authority offices as required.

B.E. / B.Tech in Electrical, Electrical & Electronics, or Energy Engineering. Mechanical or Civil backgrounds with demonstrable solar plant design experience will also be considered. 4–6 years of design engineering experience with substantial exposure to ground-mounted, utility-scale, or distributed solar projects in an EPC, developer, or consultancy environment. Demonstrated experience independently executing plant layouts, SLDs, cable sizing, earthing design, and BOQ preparation for at least one commissioned ground-mounted project. Strong working knowledge of CEA Technical Standards for Connectivity and Safety, IS 3043, IEC 62305, IS 875 (Part 3), IS 1893, IEC 61215 / 61730, IEC 62109, and the relevant state grid code. Familiarity with ALMM, DCR, and BIS requirements and their design implications on module and equipment selection. Working understanding of geotechnical reports and topographical surveys and their influence on foundation selection and layout planning. Ability to read, interpret, and mark up civil, structural, and electrical drawings, and to review vendor submittals critically rather than at face value. Mandatory tools: PVsyst for yield simulation and loss-tree preparation, and AutoCAD for layouts, SLDs, and detail drawings (Civil 3D an advantage). Working experience with ETAP, DIgSILENT PowerFactory, or equivalent; Helioscope, SketchUp, Meteonorm, Solargis, or Global Solar Atlas; advanced MS Excel; MS Project or Primavera; and Google Earth Pro with QGIS or equivalent GIS tools. Commercial awareness of design decisions, with the ability to evaluate cost impact of specification and layout choices per Wp. Clear technical communication for correspondence with DISCOMs, consultants, lenders' engineers, vendors, and site teams, with strong documentation discipline. Willing to travel to project sites, vendor works, and authority offices as required.