Remote Design Manager for Solar PV & BESS Projects

Cal Solar Inc.; San Diego (CA); Remote; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, vision and dental insurance

401(k) program with 6% matching

Paid holidays

Flexible PTO

Job summary

CalSolar Inc. is seeking a Design Manager to lead the engineering execution of commercial solar PV and battery energy storage projects in California.

You will manage a team of Designers and Drafters, coordinating with developers, architects, utilities, and project owners to ensure code-compliant, constructable designs delivered on schedule. The role emphasizes leadership, strong client communication, and the ability to translate client objectives into actionable engineering deliverables while

Qualifications

• 5+ years of commercial solar PV engineering, design, or project delivery experience.
• Experience managing project stakeholders including developers, architects, engineers of record, contractors, and utilities.
• Prior experience leading or mentoring Designers, Drafters, or engineering personnel.
• Strong client-facing communication and relationship management skills.
• Experience with commercial and multifamily solar projects, including both new construction and retrofit applications.
• Experience coordinating permitting and utility interconnection processes within California.
• Working knowledge of battery energy storage systems (BESS).
• Strong understanding of NEC, California Building Code, California Fire Code, and commercial construction practices.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary technical point of contact for assigned clients and projects.
• Lead design coordination meetings with developers, architects, engineers of record, general contractors, utilities, and project owners.
• Manage technical communications throughout project development, permitting, and construction.
• Develop trusted relationships with clients and project stakeholders.
• Facilitate resolution of design challenges, scope changes, and technical conflicts.
• Translate client objectives into actionable engineering and design deliverables.
• Represent CalSolar professionally in stakeholder meetings, project reviews, and technical presentations.
• Manage the engineering and design execution of multiple commercial solar PV and BESS projects simultaneously.
• Direct the preparation of permit plans, construction documents, utility interconnection packages, and engineering deliverables.
• Coordinate internal design activities with project management, estimating, procurement, and construction teams.
• Ensure projects maintain compliance with applicable codes, utility requirements, and client standards.
• Perform quality reviews of engineering and drafting deliverables.
• Support utility interconnection and AHJ permitting efforts.
• Lead and mentor a team of Designers and Drafters.
• Assign workloads and manage project priorities within the team.
• Provide technical guidance, coaching, and performance feedback.
• Review design work for accuracy, quality, and consistency.
• Support onboarding and professional development of engineering staff.
• Promote engineering best practices and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Review and coordinate:
• Solar PV system layouts
• Electrical single-line diagrams
• Energy storage system designs
• Equipment selections
• Structural coordination requirements
• Utility interconnection documentation
• Identify and resolve constructability concerns early in the design process.
• Support field teams with technical issue resolution during construction.
• Contribute to the development of engineering standards, templates, and design procedures.

Job description

CalSolar Inc. is seeking a Design Manager to lead the engineering execution of commercial solar PV and battery energy storage projects in California.

You will manage a team of Designers and Drafters, coordinating with developers, architects, utilities, and project owners to ensure code-compliant, constructable designs delivered on schedule. The role emphasizes leadership, strong client communication, and the ability to translate client objectives into actionable engineering deliverables while