PV System Design Engineer

Sunspear Energy is hiring a full-time PV System Design Engineer in Honolulu, HI. The role involves designing residential solar photovoltaic and battery storage systems, coordinating with various teams, and ensuring compliance with local codes. Responsibilities include creating electrical diagrams, reviewing design packages, participating in site inspections, and contributing to process improvements. Candidates should have a strong understanding of structural and electrical engineering concepts.
Position: PV System Design Engineer

Reports to: Lead PV System Design Engineer

FLSA Status: Exempt / Salary

Status: Full-Time

Compensation: Varies by experience

Benefits: Medical, dental & more

The PV System Designer is responsible for designing code-compliant residential solar photovoltaic & battery storage systems following the engineering department's policy. An understanding of structural and electrical engineering concepts and calculations is a necessity for this position. This is a fast-paced yet detail-oriented position.

Responsibilities and Duties
• Coordinate with Site Surveyors, Project Management, and Sales teams to complete designs meeting the customers’ expectations with strict deadlines.
• Complete electrical one-line diagrams, roof layouts and electrical elevation designs for photovoltaic projects within a production-based environment.
• Submit design packages to 3 party drafting firms within a timely manner.
• Reviewing received completed design packages for errors, followed by providing clarifications and markups as necessary.
• Upon completion of a project, submit as-built markups to the 3 Party drafting firm to finalize a client design package.
• Research, document, and comply with local and national code requirements in project jurisdictions.
• Participate in site inspections on an as needed basis to explore opportunities to improve the site inspection process from a design engineer perspective.
• Participate in roof installations, when possible, to gain further insight into the challenges of the field and how to prevent challenges through improved designs.
• Interface with Construction Team, Sales, and Project Coordinator teams to complete designs meeting both Sunspear and customer expectations within deadlines.
• Assist in developing and documenting industry best practices, standards, and guidelines.
• Participate in team meetings and brainstorming sessions to contribute ideas for improving design processes and project outcomes.
• Host pre-construction ‘design’ meetings with electrical and roofing teams to prepare for upcoming projects.
• Communicate with the Procurement Specialist team to ensure project-related equipment is procured prior to construction.
• Utilize software systems to record the progress of various tasks.
• Any other project engineering required items to ensure the success of a construction project.
• Interact with team members and customers in a polite and engaging manner.
• Work to meet and exceed design Key Performance Indicators (KPI) including but not limited to, quality, output, cycle time, and difficulty.
• Participate in training modules, including but not limited to Span training, Tesla, and SolarEdge training, and more, to ensure constant learning goals to increase solar knowledge base.
• Engage in professional development opportunities, including training sessions, workshops, and industry conferences, to enhance technical skills and knowledge.
• Stay up-to-date with the evolving Solar PV and Battery landscape and be constantly prepared for industry-related changes.
• Serve as a subject matter expert (SME) when communicating with clients as required.
• Learn, understand and be proficient in the materials required for use on multiple different types of rooftops for structural attachments and the electrical equipment required to allow all types of interconnections to occur without delay.

Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering-related field required.
• OR Bachelor’s degree in a non-engineering field and 1 year of solar industry experience required.
• OR Associate’s degree in design related field and 1 year of solar design (or 2 years of solar industry) experience required.
• OR NABCEP (PV Installation Professional) certification and 2 years of solar industry experience required.
• Proficient in AutoCAD.
• Critical thinking and ability to solve problems.
• Demonstrate good judgment and analytical skills.
• High attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to, effectively and nicely, communicate with engineering, construction, and customer facing teams.
• Excellent computing skills.
• Strong desire to change the way our world is powered!
• Experience with designing and/or constructing solar electric systems.
• Strong working knowledge of residential framing, roofing, and electrical.
• Knowledge of National Electrical Codes 2020 & 2023, NFPA 855 and local building codes.
• Self-Motivated to complete training modules and tasks without being asked to do so.
• Experience with CRM software tools.
• Experience in creating material takeoffs.

Preferred Qualifications:
• Technical knowledge of solar system installations.
• NABCEP certification is a plus.

Why start an exciting career with Sunspear?
• Be part of a fast-growing company (3 fastest growing, private company, in Hawaii – PBN, 2021), within a fast-growing industry that provides a valuable service of helping clients save money while simultaneously promoting sustainability.
• Company growth opens doors for career advancement, and we love to promote from within.
• A mentorship environment with a strong team of industry veterans to learn from and who will encourage you to be successful!
• Bonuses for sending us referrals!
• As a company, we have built a positive and family-style culture within the organization; we pride ourselves on a fun team atmosphere with result-based incentives.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, we comply with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $52,500.00 - $62,500.00 per year

Benefits:
• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Referral program
• Vision insurance

Schedule:
• 10 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to Relocate:
• Honolulu, HI 96817: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person