Field Deployment Engineer — Solar Field Ops Leader

Optivolt; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Unlimited PTO

Pre-IPO equity

Job summary

Optivolt is seeking a Solar Field Deployment Engineer in San Francisco. You will own prototypes and pilot deployments end-to-end, deciding hardware, leading testing, debugging on-site, and feeding data back to engineering.

You will prototype and stress-test new designs in real conditions, drive field integration with utility solar developers, and ensure safety and compliance while scaling playbooks and documentation for broad deployments.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of hands-on experience in complex engineering and hardware project deployments — not managing from a desk. Proven track record with complex retrofits, advanced system integrations, testing, and troubleshooting under real-world conditions.
• Demonstrated experience leading field operations, commissioning pilot deployments, or managing high-stakes technical projects from initial design through testing and execution while keeping teams coordinated under pressure.
• Strong foundational engineering background in power electronics, electrical engineering, electrical infrastructure, energy storage, or complex hardware systems integration. Ability to rapidly diagnose hardware, software, or site integration issues without relying on a manual.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts and field data seamlessly between engineering teams, external technicians, and project stakeholders. Self-driven and adaptable in ambiguous startup environments.
• Proficient in tracking metrics, running efficiency studies, and using data analysis tools, data loggers, or lab/field instrumentation to evaluate system performance and streamline pilot deployments.
• Travel: Travel required.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Construction Management, or equivalent technical field experience.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary on-site technical owner for pilot deployments—selecting and qualifying the hardware that goes into the field, leading installation and commissioning, and debugging real systems in real time.
• Prototype, instrument, and stress-test new designs under actual operating conditions; own the full loop from lab concept through field validation and iteration.
• Partner with large-scale utility solar developers on site design, system integration, and hands-on deployment of both production and experimental hardware.
• Perform root-cause analysis on field failures, performance anomalies, and pilot metrics; translate findings into concrete design and process improvements for the engineering team.
• Ensure every install meets safety codes, building standards, site best practices, and Optivolt specifications while pushing the boundaries of new technology.
• Act as Optivolt’s technical authority on product installation and site integration—authoring documentation, test protocols, and operational playbooks that scale.
• Build and continuously refine the field playbook so utility partners experience best-in-class support as we move prototypes into reliable, repeatable deployments.
• Test, benchmark, and automate monitoring over the entire lifecycle of the deployment to ensure success and competitive advantage of the platform.

Skills

Hands-on engineering

Field deployments

Technical leadership

Power electronics

Electrical engineering

Data analysis

Communication

Travel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Data loggers

Lab instrumentation

Diagnostics

Field equipment

Job description

Optivolt is seeking a Solar Field Deployment Engineer in San Francisco. You will own prototypes and pilot deployments end-to-end, deciding hardware, leading testing, debugging on-site, and feeding data back to engineering.

You will prototype and stress-test new designs in real conditions, drive field integration with utility solar developers, and ensure safety and compliance while scaling playbooks and documentation for broad deployments.