Solar Project Development Engineer

Nenni and Associates • Contract • California or • 3w ago

Solar Project Development Engineer

Location: Remote – Based in California or Arizona (Travel Required)
Employment Type: Full-Time

About the Role

Our client, a leading energy services organization (ESCO) specializing in renewable and distributed energy solutions, is seeking a Solar Project Development Engineer to support the technical development of solar PV and hybrid energy projects across California and Arizona.

This role plays a critical part in early-stage project development—conducting site assessments, generating conceptual designs, preparing technical studies, and supporting proposal creation for commercial, municipal, and institutional customers. The ideal candidate combines strong engineering fundamentals with practical solar design experience and the ability to collaborate cross-functionally with sales, construction, and project management teams.

Key Responsibilities

Project Assessment & Feasibility

Conduct site evaluations, shading analysis, and preliminary system layouts (roof-mounted, canopy, ground-mounted, etc.).
Perform system performance modeling, energy forecasts, and preliminary financial analysis.
Review existing infrastructure, electrical service, and interconnection pathways to determine project viability.

Technical Design & Engineering

Create conceptual and preliminary solar PV designs, single line diagrams, and equipment layouts.
Work closely with internal engineers and external vendors to define system specifications, equipment selections, and design standards.
Support battery energy storage system (BESS) integration where applicable.
Prepare design packages for internal review and customer proposals.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner with sales, business development, and proposal teams to translate customer requirements into technically sound solutions.
Support cost estimation teams by providing accurate engineering inputs on equipment, labor, and construction requirements.
Engage with construction and field teams to validate designs and incorporate lessons learned into future proposals.

Customer & Stakeholder Engagement

Attend customer meetings, site walks, and technical presentations to provide engineering expertise.
Assist with utility interconnection applications, AHJ permitting questions, and coordination with third-party consultants.

Documentation & Analysis

Develop and maintain project documentation, design files, performance models, and engineering analyses.
Support creation of proposals, feasibility studies, and technical reports.
Ensure all designs meet relevant codes, standards, and ESCO quality guidelines.

Qualifications

Required

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Renewable Energy Engineering, or related field.
3+ years of experience in solar PV engineering, project development, or system design.
Proficiency with solar modeling and design tools (Helioscope, PVsyst, Aurora, CAD platforms, etc.).
Strong understanding of electrical systems, interconnection requirements, and PV system architecture.
Ability to perform site assessments and travel throughout CA and AZ.
Familiarity with NEC, IEEE standards, and major utility interconnection protocols.