Renewables Design Engineer

Talent Team•Escondido, CA

5d•$85,000 - $115,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Renewables Design Engineer is responsible for the design, engineering, permitting, and technical execution of commercial and industrial renewable energy projects, including photovoltaic (PV) systems, battery energy storage systems (BESS), EV charging infrastructure, and electrical distribution upgrades. The role supports projects from early-stage feasibility and proposal development through construction and commissioning while ensuring compliance with applicable codes, utility requirements, customer specifications, and company quality standards. This position collaborates closely with Sales, Estimating, Project Management, Construction, Commissioning, and Operations teams to deliver safe, code-compliant, cost-effective, and constructible renewable energy solutions. Due to the highly collaborative nature of engineering design reviews, project coordination, and cross-functional support activities, regular in-person office attendance is an essential function of the position. The role is primarily office-based with occasional travel to project sites, customer meetings, utility coordination meetings, and commissioning activities.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from an accredited institution.
Minimum 3-7 years of experience in renewable energy, power systems, commercial solar, battery energy storage systems, or electrical design engineering.
Working knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC), commercial electrical systems, utility interconnection requirements, and distributed energy resources (DER).
Ability to work onsite in a professional office environment on a full-time basis.
Ability to travel to project sites and customer locations as needed.
Valid California Driver's License or ability to obtain one.
Proficiency with AutoCAD; Bluebeam Revu; Microsoft Excel; Microsoft Word; Microsoft PowerPoint; Microsoft Teams; SharePoint; HelioScope or equivalent PV modeling software.
Core Capabilities - Develop and review electrical engineering design packages; interpret drawings/specifications; perform engineering calculations; coordinate multidisciplinary engineering efforts; evaluate utility and AHJ requirements; communicate technical concepts effectively.

Nice To Haves

Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification or Professional Engineer (PE) license.
Experience with commercial solar PV and battery energy storage projects.
Experience working with California utilities and AHJs.
Familiarity with Rule 21, NEM/NBT, non-export controls, EMS platforms, and utility communication systems.
Experience supporting commissioning and field operations.
Preferred Experience with PVsyst; Revit; Power BI; Microsoft Project.

Responsibilities

Develop complete engineering design packages for commercial solar PV, BESS, EV charging, and distributed energy resource (DER) projects.
Prepare and review electrical design documents including single-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, site plans, equipment layouts, conduit and conductor schedules, electrical calculations, and utility/interconnection drawings.
Perform electrical engineering calculations including load calculations, voltage drop, equipment sizing, short-circuit analysis, arc flash evaluations, and conductor/raceway sizing.
Design systems in compliance with applicable codes, standards, utility requirements, and customer specifications.
Support design standardization efforts and continuous improvement initiatives.
Identify and mitigate technical risks during project development and execution.
Support Sales and Estimating teams with technical evaluations, preliminary system layouts, and budgetary engineering.
Participate in customer meetings and technical presentations as required.
Review customer requirements, specifications, and RFP documents.
Develop value-engineering solutions that improve constructability, cost efficiency, and project performance.
Identify long-lead equipment and potential scope challenges during project development.
Prepare and support utility interconnection applications and technical submittals.
Coordinate utility requirements for distributed energy resources, including solar PV, BESS, non-export systems, and EV charging infrastructure.
Support engineering documentation associated with Rule 21, NEM/NBT, non-export controls, revenue metering, energy management systems (EMS), and communications infrastructure.
Coordinate with utilities, AHJs, consultants, and customers throughout project development and approval processes.
Provide engineering support throughout construction, commissioning, and project closeout.
Respond to RFIs, field questions, and design-related issues.
Review equipment substitutions and evaluate impacts to system performance, constructability, and code compliance.
Support commissioning and startup activities as required.
Conduct constructability reviews and recommend design improvements to enhance installation efficiency and project execution.
Ensure engineering deliverables meet company quality standards and project requirements.
Participate in design reviews and QA/QC processes.
Maintain engineering document control and revision management.
Ensure compliance with applicable electrical, building, fire, utility, and safety requirements.
Stay current with changes to industry codes, standards, utility requirements, and best practices.
Maintain regular in-person attendance at the assigned office location to support engineering activities, project coordination, and team collaboration.
Participate in engineering reviews, project meetings, scheduling discussions, and quality review activities.
Collaborate effectively with Engineering, Sales, Estimating, Project Management, Construction, Operations, and Commissioning teams.
Communicate technical information clearly and professionally to internal and external stakeholders.
Support continuous improvement efforts, design standards, and process development initiatives.
Build effective working relationships across departments to support successful project execution.