Sr. Design Specialist

Sugar Hollow Solar•Asheville, NC

13d•$60,000 - $70,000•Onsite

About The Position

At Sugar Hollow Solar, we are fueled by the belief that humans can flourish on this planet in an ecologically sustainable way, and the pathway to get there starts with abundant clean energy! Based out of Asheville, NC, Sugar Hollow Solar offers energy solutions for homes, farms, small businesses and other commercial properties by designing and installing solar electric systems (rooftop or ground-mounted), battery backup systems and EV charger stations, as well as, systems maintenance. Sugar Hollow Solar has grown into Western North Carolina's largest solar installer, having completed over 900 installations with an unwavering commitment to quality and integrity. Our mission is to preserve this beautiful planet for ourselves and future generations by transitioning our community to clean, renewable energy, using business as a positive force for change! Sugar Hollow Solar is hiring a Sr. Design Specialist! This key position is responsible for delivering accurate and high-quality system designs and proposals, providing technical expertise in the design and engineering of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems for both commercial and residential projects, with a focus predominantly on commercial. This role blends deep technical knowledge with project oversight to ensure that all designs are code-compliant, tailored to client energy needs and aligned with project goals. The Sr. Design Specialist collaborates closely with project managers, sales consultants and installation teams to develop comprehensive system plans from initial concept through permitting and final construction.

Requirements

Minimum 3 years’ experience designing residential and commercial solar PV systems required
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Renewable Energy or a related technical field required
Able to effectively translate client needs into efficient, cost-effective system designs that maximize energy production and meet regulatory requirements
Ability to review and interpret site assessments, structural evaluations and energy usage data and make informed design decisions
Expertise in solar design with the ability to produce accurate layouts, system sizing and electrical diagrams
Expertise in applicable codes and standards including NEC, IBC, local permitting requirements and utility interconnection guidelines
Strong grasp of permitting and interconnection processes
Ability to maintain a high level of quality and consistency across all design deliverables
Strong familiarity with grid-tied system design, battery storage integration and emerging solar technologies
Ability to manage multiple design timelines and ensure alignment with project schedules
Exceptional critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
High attention to detail and thoroughness
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

Nice To Haves

NABCEP certification preferred
FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification preferred
Minimum 2 years’ experience PV Installation and/or Project Management preferred
Familiarity with Aurora, Helioscope, Energy Toolbase and PVBid preferred

Responsibilities

Creates detailed project documentation and design packages including plan sets, electrical diagrams, site layouts, material lists and installation instructions
Estimates commercial installation costs and prepares all commercial bids and proposals
Works closely with commercial Energy Consultants to develop the best system design options to present to the customer.
Analyzes roof conditions shading and other site characteristics to determine the viability of solar installations and determine client needs
Calculates the appropriate system size to meet the customer’s energy needs and provides production estimates
Creates detailed drawings and layouts of the PV and storage systems, ensuring appropriate placement of panels and other equipment
Selects proper solar panels, inverters and other components for system designs
Ensures designs meet all applicable codes, utility interconnection requirements and jurisdictional permitting standards
Collaborates with project managers and other stakeholders to support permitting, utility applications and construction handoff
Performs commercial site assessments
Provides technical support during installations and commissioning and helps to troubleshoot any issues that may arise
Provides technical guidance and assistance to other Design Specialists and serves as a mentor within the design team. This will include assisting with residential proposal and design, service design/estimating requests and/or residential site survey tasks as needed.
Stays up to date on solar technologies, code updates and software tools to improve design accuracy and efficiency
Reviews job costing and maintain pricing database