Solution Engineer

PLANTED; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Paid time off

In-office lunches

Job summary

Planted is seeking an energetic Solution Engineer in the SF Bay Area to drive early-stage project engineering and business development for solar deployments. You will engage customers, develop proposals, analyze sites, and optimize designs while collaborating with a cross-functional team.

The role offers a base salary of $90,000–$110,000, stock options, and comprehensive benefits, with 2+ years of experience and 100% in-person work in the SF Bay Area.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher and hands-on approach.
• Proactive, high-ownership, hands-on mentality.
• Curiosity and resourcefulness in solving problems.
• Strong organization, attention to detail, and project management.
• Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly to stakeholders.
• Willingness to navigate ambiguity, manage risks, and decide with imperfect knowledge.
• Proficiency in financial modeling using Microsoft Excel.
• Located in the SF Bay Area or willing to relocate for 100% in-person role.

Responsibilities

• Support all aspects of project origination and development to expand the project pipeline and win contracts.
• Own site analysis, array design, and cost estimation for early stage solar projects.
• Produce financial analyses, energy models, and project proposals for external stakeholders.
• Provide engineering support for clients throughout the project development process.
• Assist in detailed design and optimization of later-stage projects.
• Drive creation and improvement of development tools, project management processes, and SOPs.
• Develop and present analysis and materials for senior management.

Skills

Financial modeling

Communication

Ownership

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Project management

Ambiguity navigation

Education

Bachelor's degree

Bachelor’s in engineering, physics, mathematics, or related field

Tools

PVsyst

Anderson Optimization

Microsoft Excel

Job description

The world needs 3 TW of new solar capacity every year. The legacy approach of developing and building infrastructure is mathematically incapable of catching up.

Planted is the autonomous power deployment company. We transform power plants from bespoke construction projects into manufactured products. By integrating planning software, high-density arrays, energy storage, and field robots, we deliver more power where it’s needed most.

The physics are solved; what remains is relentless execution. Led by repeat founders and an engineering core from SpaceX and Tesla, we are backed by Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Piva Capital, Google, Gigascale Capital, Khosla Ventures, and RA Capital Management.

We’re scaling fast and looking for operators and engineers who want to own real pieces of the system. You don't need a traditional energy background; we care whether you can finish hard things. Come build with us.

About The Role

As the Solution Engineer, you will focus on early customer engagement and strategy, proposal development, project optimization, and growing our pipeline of solar power applications. You will own critical pieces of our early-stage project engineering and business development process and apply your knowledge of Planted’s technology, the energy market, and solar development and construction to support customers.

Successful candidates will possess strong leadership and communication skills, financial and technical acumen in the energy sector, and a desire to be part of a growing, early-stage company. This role offers the opportunity to work closely with a talented, cross-functional engineering and business team in a fast-paced, high-ownership environment.

The salary range for this full-time position is $90,000–$110,000, 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 2+ years.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support all aspects of project origination and development to expand the project pipeline and win contracts.
• Own site analysis, array design, and cost estimation for early stage solar projects.
• Produce financial analyses, energy models, and project proposals for external stakeholders.
• Provide necessary engineering support for clients throughout the project development process.
• Assist in detailed design and optimization of later-stage projects
• Drive the creation and improvement of development tools, project management processes, and standard operating procedures.
• Develop and present analysis and materials for senior management.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree
• Proactive, high-ownership, hands-on mentality
• Curiosity and resourcefulness in solving problems
• A track record of organization, attention to detail, and effective project management
• Ability to communicate complex ideas effectively and succinctly to internal and external stakeholders
• Eagerness to navigate ambiguity, manage risks, and make good decisions with imperfect knowledge
• Proficiency in financial modeling using Microsoft Excel
• Located in the SF Bay Area or willing to relocate for 100% in-person role

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 1+ years of professional experience in solar or energy industry
• Bachelor’s in engineering, physics, mathematics, or related field
• Experience in energy markets or energy project development and construction
• Experience with solar industry software (e.g., PVsyst, Anderson Optimization)

*A note on qualifications: Many people only apply for jobs if they believe they can perform every task in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and will consider equivalent combinations of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS

• Mostly desk work using standard office equipment
• The position requires some travel for customer site visits, conferences, and company-wide meetings

Philosophy On Qualifications And Compensation

Many people only apply for jobs if they believe they can perform every task in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and will consider equivalent combinations of knowledge, skills, education, and experience. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

Additionally, we believe compensation should reflect the value people bring and give them a real stake in what we're building. Our total compensation package includes a base salary, meaningful equity through stock options, and benefits including company holidays, paid time off (PTO), and in-office lunches. Individual pay may vary within the posted range and is determined by a number of factors including relevant experience, skills, and location.

How We Work

We are using sunlight, software, and robots to power the world. It is historic work, and it is hard work. If you want a paved, predictable path, this isn't for you. If you'd rather invent the path, this is the best job you'll ever have.

• Call it out. We put big robots in the field alongside our crews and partners. Anyone can stop any operation at any time. The same trust runs everywhere: a bug in the code, a flaw in the plan, a risk in the dirt, a design that no longer makes sense. Say it while it's small and cheap to fix, directly to the person who can fix it. Sometimes that person is you.
• Commit and complete. We work problems, not tasks. A confident guess is not a commitment; “I’ll find out by Thursday” is. If a date slips, say it early and bring the new plan. Every decision has one owner: bring data, argue hard, push back in the room, then the owner calls it and we lock arms. Execution compounds.
• Convention isn't evidence. “Industry standard” is a red flag. Most conventions were answers to constraints that no longer exist. We respect physics and obey the law. Everything else is a choice, and we get to make it.
• Let machines do the work. We are system builders: AI and robots do repetitive work in the field and in the office. Every task a machine takes over is a person out of harm's way or off the critical path. Solve a problem once, then build the tool, write the spec, and commit the doc so nobody has to solve it again. Doing it by hand once is fine. Twice means we need a tool.

Planted 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.