Solar Engineer

Novax Recruitment Group; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Novax Recruitment Group is seeking a Senior/Staff Solar PV Project Engineer to lead the PV scope on large-scale solar and storage projects in the United States. You will design layouts, sizing, and interconnection strategies while coordinating with EPCs, suppliers and field teams to deliver a complete, buildable package.

You will own the early development through construction and commissioning, travelling up to 25% as needed and helping establish project standards for a growing energy portfolio.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering utility-scale solar projects from development through commissioning.
• Proficiency with PVdesign tools such as PVcase and related software.
• Ability to produce layouts, single-line diagrams and performance models.

Responsibilities

• Own the PV scope from development to commissioning for utility-scale projects.
• Create preliminary layouts, SLDs, sizing and Basis of Design packages.
• Coordinate with EPC partners, consultants, and equipment providers.
• Develop internal design standards, processes, and tools for solar layouts.
• Support construction and commissioning with technical guidance.

Skills

Utility-scale solar design

PVcase proficiency

Layouts & SLDs

Battery-storage integration

Interconnection standards NEC/IEEE/UL

EPC/Contractor coordination

Technical decision-making

Travel readiness

Education

Electrical or Civil Engineering degree

Professional Engineer license helpful

Job description

Senior / Staff Solar PV Project Engineer

Compensation: Highly competitive six-figure package

Travel: Up to 25%

Employment: Full-time

A major solar-plus-storage project begins with very little certainty.

There may be a potential site, an early commercial agreement and an ambitious delivery schedule but the technical detail still needs to be built. The available land must be assessed, the PV system sized, equipment selected and the initial concept transformed into something an EPC partner can actually construct.

That is where you come in.

We are supporting a well-funded energy technology business as it builds a new project engineering capability for large-scale solar, energy-storage and power-infrastructure projects across the United States.

As its Senior or Staff Solar PV Project Engineer, you will take ownership of the photovoltaic scope from the earliest stages of development through design, procurement, construction and commissioning.

You will be the person who brings clarity to an initially ambiguous project. You will assess the site, produce preliminary layouts and single-line diagrams, determine string and inverter sizing, establish the Basis of Design and ensure the detailed engineering team receives a complete and buildable technical package.

Once construction begins, your involvement will continue. You will work with EPC partners, consultants, module and racking suppliers, procurement teams and field personnel to resolve technical issues and ensure the final installation reflects the original design intent.

What You Will Own

• Conceptual and preliminary design for utility-scale solar PV systems.


• Array layouts, single-line diagrams, string sizing and inverter configurations.


• Technical scopes and Basis of Design documentation.


• Early evaluation of topography, soils, shading and solar-resource information.


• Buildable-area and system-performance assumptions.


• Interconnection, permitting and code-compliance requirements.


• Technical evaluation of modules, racking systems and supplier proposals.


• Coordination between commercial, development, engineering and construction teams.


• Technical support during construction and commissioning.


• Development of internal solar design standards, processes and tools.

What We Are Looking For

You will have delivered utility-scale solar projects and understand what happens beyond the design office. You know how early technical decisions affect procurement, constructability, performance and commissioning later in the project.

You should also offer:

• Strong utility-scale solar PV design and project engineering experience.


• Proficiency with PVcase or comparable solar design software.


• Experience producing layouts, single-line diagrams and performance models.


• Knowledge of combined solar and battery-storage system architecture.


• Familiarity with applicable NEC, IEEE, UL and utility interconnection requirements.


• Experience working with EPC contractors, consultants and equipment manufacturers.


• The confidence to make sound technical decisions when every answer is not yet available.


• A willingness to travel to project sites when required.

A bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering or a related discipline is preferred. A Professional Engineer licence would be beneficial but is not mandatory.

The Staff-level position is intended for somebody who has independently led the PV scope across multiple large-scale projects and can help establish the standards by which future projects will be delivered.

This is not simply a role maintaining an established process. You will help create the process, influence major technical decisions and shape how an emerging project portfolio is designed and delivered.