Solutions Engineer (Pre-Sales)

Lime Rock New Energy; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

GroundWork Renewables is hiring an experienced Solutions Engineer (Pre-Sales) to lead technical discussions across the sales cycle and translate customer needs into high-value, deliverable solutions for utility-scale solar projects.

You will collaborate with Sales, Marketing, Product, Operations, and Field teams to ensure proposals are technically sound and executable, with a strong emphasis on risk de-risking and measurable business value.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant experience in solutions engineering, applications engineering, technical sales, or similar roles.
• Experience translating technical requirements into clear proposals and RFP/RFI responses.
• Domain fluency in meteorological measurement, PV systems, or data workflows for utility-scale solar.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication for engineers and executives.
• Strong collaboration across Sales, Product, Engineering, Operations, and Finance.
• Ability to travel ~20–30% to client sites and events.

Responsibilities

• Own technical proposal quality and coordinate with Engineering to prepare clear technical proposals and cost estimates.
• Lead structured technical discovery with stakeholders to clarify requirements and success criteria.
• Create demos and presentations that connect GroundWork’s data and services to business value.
• Design and validate solutions, translating requirements into configurations and BOMs.
• Coordinate handoffs with Engineering, Field Operations, and Project Management.
• Address objections and guide evaluation steps to build customer confidence.
• Maintain pre-sales assets and CRM hygiene for technical fields and stage criteria.
• Provide input to Product and R&D on roadmap priorities from customer feedback.
• Represent GroundWork as a credible technical voice in the market.

Skills

Customer-facing

Technical storytelling

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem-solving

Travel ready

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Physics/Atmospheric Science

Advanced degree

Tools

CRM tools

Proposal software

Job description

Reports to: Vice President of Sales -- Preferred location: California/West Coast; exceptional candidates from other U.S. regions will be considered. Classification: Full-time, Exempt.

Company Overview

GroundWork Renewables is the solar industry’s trusted full-stack performance partner. A Certified B Corporation and ISO-accredited testing provider, we deliver precise MET data and PV module insights—helping developers, EPCs, and asset owners reduce risk, improve forecasting, and maximize value throughout the project lifecycle. Our services have enabled 1,000+ solar measurement campaigns, helping project developers secure billions in financing by reducing uncertainty with trusted resource data. Backed by a recent strategic investment that positions us for accelerated growth, GroundWork is expanding its U.S. operations.

Position Summary

We’re hiring an experienced Solutions Engineer (Pre-Sales) to provide technical leadership throughout the sales cycle, de-risk complex opportunities, and support predictable bookings. You’ll collaborate closely with Sales, Marketing, Product, Operations, and Field teams, applying your understanding of solar measurement systems to translate customer needs into feasible, high-value solutions. This role sits within the Sales organization and works closely with Operations and Engineering to ensure proposed solutions can be delivered successfully.

Key Responsibilities

• Own technical proposal quality: Review specifications, drawings, and project documents; identify missing requirements, deviations, and exclusions; and work with the Engineering and Product management teams to prepare clear technical proposals and RFP/RFI responses. Document estimates, assumptions, and dependencies, and coordinate specialist review and required approvals.
• Lead technical discovery: Run structured discovery with technical and executive stakeholders; clarify requirements, constraints, and success criteria.
• Tell the technical story: Create and deliver compelling demos, presentations, and narratives that connect GroundWork’s data, testing, and services to clear business value.
• Design and validate solutions: Translate customer requirements into clear system configurations and scopes of work. Partner with Engineering to develop and validate complete, accurate bills of materials and confirm technical feasibility.
• Coordinate handoffs: Work with Engineering, Field Operations, and Project Management to confirm delivery readiness and a clean transition from sale to implementation.
• Be the trusted advisor: Address technical objections, guide evaluation steps, and provide analysis when appropriate to build customer confidence.
• Strengthen process and tools: Maintain pre-sales templates, knowledge articles, and reusable assets; uphold CRM hygiene for technical fields and stage/exit criteria.
• Close the feedback loop: Capture customer requirements and patterns; provide clear, actionable input to Product and R&D on roadmap priorities and usability improvements.
• Represent GroundWork: Contribute to brand visibility as a credible technical voice in the market.

Qualifications & Experience

• Technical foundation: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Atmospheric Science, or related field (or equivalent experience). Advanced degree is a plus.
• Relevant experience: 5+ years of relevant experience in solutions engineering, applications engineering, technical support, project engineering, technical sales, or a combination of these roles. Demonstrated customer-facing experience translating technical requirements into practical solutions and clear proposals is required.
• Domain fluency: Experience supporting solar projects through meteorological measurement, instrumentation, data acquisition, or technical system design is required. Ability to ramp quickly on meteorological measurement systems, PV module testing/analytics, IoT/DAQ concepts, and data workflows relevant to utility-scale solar.
• Customer communication: Exceptional written and verbal skills; adept at explaining complex concepts to both engineers and executives; strong facilitation and whiteboarding.
• Solution design & documentation: Proven skill in scoping, estimating, and producing clear technical proposals and diagrams that de-risk delivery.
• Collaboration: Track record working cross-functionally with Sales, Product, Engineering, Operations, and Finance to align solutions with customer needs and delivery capacity.
• Problem-solving: Analytical, resourceful, and comfortable with ambiguity; able to make sound trade-offs and recommendations under time pressure.
• Mindset & organization: High ownership, detail-oriented, and disciplined with tools and process; able to manage multiple concurrent pursuits.
• Travel Requirements: As needed, ~20–30% to client sites, labs, and industry events.

Equal Opportunity Statement

GroundWork is a Certified B Corporation and proud equal opportunity employer. We believe a diverse, equitable, and just team makes our work better, and our field a better place to be. We are committed to building a workplace where people feel welcomed, valued, and supported. We hire, promote, and develop people based on their skills, experience, and potential. We do not discriminate based on age, race, ethnicity, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, pregnancy status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are a fair chance employer. We’re committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve, and we’re actively developing the programs to get us there. This work is ongoing.