Solar and Energy Storage Systems Design Lead

beBee Careers is hiring a Senior Director of Design to lead the electrical design for residential and commercial solar and energy storage systems in Charlotte, NC. Responsibilities include managing design teams, ensuring compliance with standards, collaborating with project managers, and developing the electrical design team. The role requires expertise in electrical design and strong communication skills to oversee project execution and maintain quality assurance.
Job Description

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Director of Design with expertise in electrical design to lead the creation and execution of residential and commercial solar and energy storage systems.

Key Responsibilities:
• Lead the design and engineering teams in the creation, review, and execution of electrical designs for solar and energy storage systems, ensuring that all designs are optimized for performance, cost, and compliance.
• Manage external engineering partnerships (electrical, structural, and civil PE) in delivering permit-ready and constructible plan sets; ensure effective communication and mutual success.
• Review and validate electrical design plans for solar PV systems, inverters, energy storage systems, and grid integration components to ensure they meet industry standards and customer requirements.
• Create detailed, executable plan sets (design documents, schematics, electrical single-line diagrams, etc.) that support the successful installation and integration of solar and energy storage system projects.
• Review and approve structural letters for solar projects, ensuring accuracy, compliance with engineering standards, and alignment with local building codes and regulations.
• Collaborate with project managers, engineers, and field teams to define project-specific requirements, timelines, and deliverables, ensuring that design documents are accurate, executable, and meet safety and quality standards.
• Provide technical guidance and leadership in resolving electrical design challenges, identifying design improvements, and addressing any issues that arise during the construction, installation, and commissioning phases.
• Evaluate and ensure all electrical designs comply with local, national, and international codes, standards, and regulations (e.g., NEC, IEC, ICC, RBC, UL, etc.).
• Stay informed about relevant local, national, and international code changes, and effectively communicate these updates to the team.
• Maintain best practices and standards for electrical design processes, quality assurance, and review procedures, ensuring that designs are scalable and repeatable for various project sizes.
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of utility interconnection standards and requirements, ensuring solar designs are optimized for seamless integration with utility infrastructure and regulatory compliance.
• Identify new design tools and technologies that can improve the efficiency, safety, and performance of electrical designs for solar and ESS systems.
• Presentation and reporting of technical documentation to senior leadership, stakeholders, and customers, ensuring clear communication of design progress, changes, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Develop the electrical design team, providing guidance on industry trends, design methodologies, and professional growth.
• Support the Senior Leadership Team in developing and managing the Design Department's annual budget, ensuring alignment with the company's strategic goals, while optimizing resource allocation across design projects.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to forecast design-related expenses, identify cost-saving opportunities, and support long-term financial planning to drive the successful execution of solar projects.
• Monitor and assess design performance, recommending adjustments to improve the design-to-installation process, reducing costs and improving deployment timelines.

Requirements
• Active Unlimited Electrical license in North Carolina and South Carolina, with a desire to reciprocate/expand electrical licensure to additional states, including Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, Florida, etc., or a Certified Electrical PE.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Renewable Energy, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in electrical design and engineering, with at least 3 years in a leadership or senior technical role, specifically in solar and/or energy storage systems.
• Proven experience in reviewing and creating electrical plan sets for solar PV, energy storage systems, and related electrical components, including the ability to produce detailed single-line diagrams, schematics, elevation drawings, and wiring plans/schedules.
• In-depth knowledge of electrical codes, standards, and regulations (e.g., NEC, UL, IEC, ICC, RBC, IEEE, etc.) applicable to solar energy and energy storage systems.
• Strong proficiency with electrical design tools (AutoCAD or similar) and familiarity with project management tools.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams, including Project Managers, Field Supervisors, and construction teams, to execute and troubleshoot designs in real-world scenarios.
• Problem-solving skills and the ability to evaluate design options and make recommendations for improvements or adjustments.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to manage cross-functional teams and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills with a keen attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• PASSION FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY, WITH A COMMITMENT TO ADVANCING CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES.

Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with energy storage systems design, including battery management systems (BMS), inverters, and energy management software.
• Certification or accreditation in solar design, such as NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) or similar credentials.
• Experience with energy storage system (ESS) integration, including battery storage, inverters, and energy management software.
• Familiarity with modeling tools for solar energy production and optimization, such as Aurora, PVsyst, or Helioscope.
• Understanding of utility interconnection requirements, various utility metering programs/policies, and grid compliance for residential solar/ESS systems.
• Knowledge of project management methodologies and tools to help streamline design-to-installation workflows.
• Previous experience with electrical codes and standards for large-scale solar and ESS projects.

Why Work with Us

Join a diverse super-regional leader in solar and energy storage, with five locations across three unique divisions: residential, commercial, service. Be part of a mission-driven company that is accelerating the adoption of renewable energy technologies to build a sustainable future.

Work with innovative and impactful projects in the solar and energy storage industry, shaping the future of clean energy.

A competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and performance-based incentives await you.

Opportunities for professional growth, leadership development, and exposure to cutting-edge technologies.

Collaborate in a collaborative, dynamic environment with a passionate team focused on advancing clean energy solutions.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds.