Solar PV Design & Optimization Engineer

Timmons Group•Charlotte, NC

About The Position

Timmons Group is seeking an experienced Solar PV Design & Optimization Engineer to join its Energy Division. The role focuses on designing, developing, and optimizing utility-scale solar PV layouts. The engineer combines PV system design knowledge with energy modeling to evaluate layout alternatives, equipment configurations, and site constraints, and to develop efficient, constructible, high-performing PV designs. The position works closely with civil and electrical engineering teams and supports projects from feasibility and conceptual layout through IFC engineering. It also contributes to internal PV design, modeling, optimization, and QA/QC standards. Candidates should be analytical, creative, flexible, patient, self-starting, comfortable working at a dynamic pace, and committed to the company’s Vision, Mission, and Shared Values. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Energy Engineering, or a related technical field.
At least 4 years of utility-scale solar PV design, layout, modeling, or engineering experience.
Strong experience developing and optimizing utility-scale PV layouts.
Proficiency with PVsyst.
Strong understanding of single-axis tracker systems, PV modules and inverters, DC collection systems, module stringing, DC/AC ratios and inverter loading, GCR and row spacing, terrain and shading effects, and electrical and system losses.
Ability to understand and work with topographic, environmental, civil, and electrical design constraints.
Ability to evaluate layout alternatives based on more than MW capacity alone, considering energy production, grading, constructability, and electrical implications.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary civil and electrical engineering teams.

Nice To Haves

Advanced experience with PVsyst and utility-scale PV energy modeling.
Experience with AutoCAD, Civil 3D, GIS, or specialized solar layout/design software.
Experience with tracker manufacturer layout requirements and design tools.
Experience with Python, pvlib, or other tools used for PV analysis or design automation.
Familiarity with utility-scale BESS and solar-plus-storage design.
Experience supporting EPC, developer, EoR, or Owner’s Engineer projects.
EIT certification or PE licensure.

Responsibilities

Develop and optimize utility-scale solar PV layouts from conceptual design through detailed engineering.
Evaluate site constraints, topography, grading, setbacks, environmental constraints, and equipment requirements to maximize developable capacity and energy production.
Optimize module and tracker selection, row and table configuration, row spacing and ground coverage ratio (GCR), DC/AC ratio, inverter loading, module string sizing and configuration, tracker block and inverter/PCS configurations, and equipment placement.
Develop and maintain PVsyst models to support layout development and design optimization.
Evaluate the effects of terrain, near shading, electrical losses, mismatch, soiling, weather data, and other loss assumptions on energy production.
Perform sensitivity analyses to understand the production impacts of alternative layouts and design configurations.
Work with civil and electrical engineering teams to balance energy production, grading, constructability, electrical design, and overall project efficiency.
Coordinate PV layouts with roads, stormwater facilities, substations, collection systems, wetlands, buffers, and other site constraints.
Evaluate module, inverter, and tracker technologies and incorporate manufacturer-specific requirements into project designs.
Support preliminary DC collection design, stringing, inverter loading, and equipment sizing.
Review client, developer, and EPC layouts and identify opportunities to improve site utilization or performance.
Support projects from feasibility and conceptual layout through IFC engineering.
Develop and improve internal PV design, modeling, optimization, and QA/QC standards.