Civil Project Engineer

Planted Solar; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical, vision, dental

Paid holidays

Pre-tax commuter benefits

401(k)

Company-paid in-office lunches

Job summary

Planted Solar is seeking a Structural Project Engineer in Oakland, CA. You will own the mechanical/structural design for solar projects from 10 to 200+ MW, balancing energy production, schedule, and costs.

You will interact with customers, EORs, and permitting agencies to ensure compliance and quality. The role requires 3–5 years in solar or related structural work, a mechanical or structural engineering degree, and in-person work in the SF Bay Area.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical or structural engineering.
• 3+ years designing utility scale solar PV or related structures.
• Ability to review construction drawings and optimize site layouts with geotechnical inputs.
• Experience with geotechnical analysis, GIS, and site modeling.
• Strong organization, detail orientation, and project management skills.
• Effective communication across internal and external stakeholders.
• Hands-on attitude with ownership mindset.
• Willingness to operate in a fast-paced startup environment.
• Located in the SF Bay Area or willing to relocate for in-person work.

Responsibilities

• Design and engineer solar projects from 10-200+ MW focusing on structural and mechanical aspects.
• Develop structural calculation packages for review and stamping by EOR.
• Manage on-site pile load and corrosion testing activities; liaise between field and design team.
• Determine foundation specifications based on environmental loads and soils.
• Collaborate with PMs and procurement to drive project outcomes.
• Coordinate with teammates to deliver holistic site designs.
• Travel to project sites to support construction and customer satisfaction.
• Contribute to product and process improvements based on field feedback.
• Manage multiple projects with effective time management.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards and codes.

Skills

Project management

Geotechnical analysis

GIS

Communication

Safety compliance

Hands-on

Ambiguity navigation

Education

Bachelor's in mechanical or structural engineering

Tools

2D CAD

3D CAD

Civil3D

SolidWorks

Job description

Structural Project Engineer

Oakland, CA

Full-time

First, the good news: The world now has over 2 terawatts of cumulative solar capacity and solar PV is the lowest-cost source of energy generation worldwide.

The challenge: The world must build 3 terawatts of new solar capacity every year for the next 25 years to meet surging power demand and decarbonize.

Planted is creating new technology to overhaul how the industry develops and builds solar power resources. We’re expanding our team of ambitious, curious, and hands‑on engineers and operators who want to accelerate that transition. Come take ownership of large parts of our product, company, and business development as we help power the world with 100% clean and abundant energy.

About The Role

As Structural Project Engineer you will own design and engineering of the mechanical and structural aspects of Planted Solar’s projects, ranging in size from distributed generation (DG) to utility scale. You will support solar site design, specifically focused on the structural and geotechnical disciplines, while balancing optimization of energy production, schedule, and labor and material costs. This role is a key interface with customers, independent engineers, and permitting agencies to ensure Planted projects meet all structural engineering requirements.

This role offers the opportunity to work closely with talented engineering and business teams with a high degree of empowerment and autonomy. We are looking for a technically excellent hands‑on engineer with experience deploying solar at scale. You will be a key part of driving project outcomes.

The annual salary range for this full-time position is $115,000 - $150,000 plus stock options and benefits. Pay within the range is based on candidate experience, job‑specific skills, education, and work location. The target experience for the position is 3-5 years.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design and engineer Planted Solar projects ranging from 10-200+ MW. Specifically focused on the structural and mechanical aspects of the solar array and site layout.
• Develop comprehensive structural calculation packages (incorporating site environmental loads, frost heave, and foundation constraints) to be reviewed and stamped by external Engineers of Record (EOR).
• Project manage on‑site pile load and corrosivity testing, acting as the primary technical liaison between the field and the design team. Ensure deliverables meet the required specifications.
• Determine structural foundation specifications based on site environmental loads and soil conditions.
• Effectively collaborate and communicate with project managers and procurement team members to drive project outcomes.
• Work collaboratively with engineering teammates to produce holistic site designs.
• Travel as needed to project sites to support construction to ensure customer satisfaction with Planted products and services
• Champion improvements of the Planted system through critical feedback on hardware and software products
• Ability to manage time efficiently across multiple projects
• Ensure compliance with company, industry, trade, and jurisdictional safety standards, practices, and codes

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical or structural engineering, or other related discipline
• 3+ years experience designing utility scale solar PV systems, or equivalent structural or civil engineering projects
• Proficiency in reviewing construction drawings and using proprietary or standard design software to optimize site layouts based on geotechnical inputs.
• Experience with geotechnical analysis, digital elevation models, GIS, mapping, and coordinate frames
• A track record of organization, adaptability, attention to detail, and project management skills
• Ability to communicate among construction, technical and non-technical personnel, both internally and outside the company
• Hands‑on attitude, strong ownership mentality, and resourcefulness.
• Inquisitive and not afraid to speak up to get necessary information or input
• Eagerness to navigate ambiguity, reduce reasonable risks, and make good decisions with imperfect knowledge
• Strong record of safe field operations and ability to integrate safety into product design and project operations
• Desire to work in a fast‑paced startup environment
• Located in the SF Bay Area or willing to relocate for 100% in‑person role

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Professional Engineering (PE) license.
• Experience with 2D CAD and 3D CAD tools, such as Civil3D or SolidWorks
• Geotechnical design experience with design of foundations, equipment pads, and/or utility trenches
• Field experience in a construction environment
• Experience with new product development

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS

• A mix of desk work using standard office equipment and field activities

What We Offer

• 11 paid company holidays and flexible Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Company-paid in‑office lunches
• Stock options
• Medical, vision, dental, and other benefits
• Pre‑tax commuter benefits
• 401(k)
• A chance to have an empowered, meaningful, and early role in climate

This will be a great fit if:

• You want to solve challenging problems
• You are fiercely outcome‑driven
• You are biased towards action and focus on the vital work that drives the most impact
• You prioritize the physical and psychological safety of yourself and those around you
• You are humble, embrace change, and deliver and receive candid feedback
• You are optimistic about the future and can make tough decisions to help get there
• You have high expectations and coach, develop, and make time to help others

Planted Solar is an equal opportunity employer committed to growing inclusively, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, medical condition, age, or veteran status. However you identify, or whatever background you bring with you, please apply. We look forward to hearing from you.