Solar Applications Engineer II

Cal Solar Inc•San Diego, CA

3d•$80,000 - $90,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Solar Applications Engineer II is an experienced technical professional who leads full-scope application engineering, preconstruction design, and estimating for complex commercial, industrial, and multi-building solar PV, battery storage (BESS), and EV charging projects. The role works independently to conduct electrical and code evaluations, manage estimating tools across multiple scopes, and evaluate equipment options for value engineering. The position develops preconstruction designs for rooftop, carport, and ground-mount projects; conducts advanced electrical and code analyses; creates comprehensive estimates and evaluates vendor quotes; and leads design-review and pre-mobilization meetings to support the transition from estimating to field execution. It also maintains and refines internal workflows, estimating databases, and layout software templates, and provides day-to-day technical guidance to entry-level applications engineers. Cal Solar Inc. designs and constructs solar PV, solar water heating, battery storage, and EV charging systems for multifamily, commercial, office, school, and low-income housing buildings. Its services include design, engineering, installation, maintenance, and financing across California.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
3–5+ years of direct experience in commercial solar PV, BESS, and/or EV charging design, engineering, and preconstruction estimating.
Proficiency in CAD software, Helioscope, PVSyst, Energy Toolbase, and advanced bidding platforms.
In-depth working knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC 70), California Electrical Code (CEC), and utility interconnection rules.
Strong technical writing and verbal communication skills.
Ability to independently manage multiple bid deadlines in a full remote work environment.

Responsibilities

Lead preconstruction design development for commercial solar, battery storage, and EV infrastructure across rooftop, carport, and ground-mount applications, optimizing system performance and constructability.
Perform electrical engineering evaluations, including line-side versus load-side taps, transformer sizing, overcurrent protection, voltage-drop calculations, and short-circuit fault-current analysis in compliance with NEC 70 and local AHJ standards.
Use estimating platforms to build comprehensive project estimates.
Solicit and evaluate competitive vendor quotes for modules, inverters, racking, energy storage, and electrical infrastructure equipment.
Lead Design Review Page-Turn Meetings and Pre-Mobilization Meetings with Construction Managers and Field Project Engineers to support the transition from estimating to field execution.
Maintain and update internal SOP workflows, estimating databases, and layout software templates.
Provide day-to-day technical guidance to entry-level applications engineers.