Do you want to become an employee-owner for a mission-driven, growth focused company? Do you approach your work with passion and dedication?

About the Company:

Sun Light & Power drives the total adoption of clean energy by designing, building, maintaining, and advocating for clean energy solutions so future generations inherit a healthy planet. We are committed to delivering an exceptional customer experience by always innovating and acting with dedication and passion.

We are proud to be certified B-Corporation and this influences our way of working. We make intentional decisions considering sustainability, positive impact on our community and growing profit for the prosperity of our employee-owners. We are a company that strives for a healthy life-work balance and a dog-friendly environment.

Position Description:

The Solar Design Engineer plays a critical role in supporting Project Engineers by developing technical project drawings, conducting engineering analyses, and ensuring compliance with project specifications. This position collaborates across departments and with external stakeholders-including architects, engineers, and contractors-to design high-quality photovoltaic (PV), solar water heating (SWH), photovoltaic-thermal (PVT), and energy storage system (ESS) solutions. By evaluating site conditions and contract requirements, the Solar Design Engineer helps identify the most efficient technical and material solutions to optimize system performance and project success.

Responsibilities:

• System Analysis & Improvement: Evaluate solar system designs, infrastructure, and workflows to identify areas for optimization, as needed. Develop and implement improvements to enhance efficiency and performance.

• Engineering Economics & Cost Analysis: Perform cost-benefit analyses and engineering economics calculations to optimize system performance and maximize return on investment.

• Electrical & Structural Design: Design electrical and structural components of PV systems, ensuring compliance with industry standards and local codes.

• Solar Thermal Design: Develop plumbing and structural designs for SHW systems, producing permits and construction drawings using AutoCAD.

• Bill of Materials (BOM) Generation: Be able to create comprehensive BOMs for both commercial and residential solar projects to facilitate procurement and installation planning.

• Construction & Installation Support: Provide detailed layouts and construction drawings to installation teams, ensuring seamless execution of solar designs.

• Consultant Coordination: Collaborate with external structural and electrical engineering consultants to prepare permit-ready plans and address technical issues related to system design.

• Electrical Calculations & Compliance: Perform conductor and equipment sizing calculations, generating one-line and three-line electrical diagrams in accordance with CEC standards.

• Code Compliance & Fire Safety: Ensure solar system designs comply with California Fire Code (CFC) requirements, incorporating proper setbacks, access pathways, and fire safety measures in PV and ST layouts.

• Design Review & Problem-Solving: Work closely with other Project Engineers and the Director of Engineering/ Engineering Manager/ Assistant Engineering Manager to review designs, identify challenges, and communicate potential issues or uncertainties.

• Project Coordination: Work with architects, contractors, and consultants to define project-specific structural and electrical requirements.

• Project Communication & Coordination: Work with project managers and field teams to address design issues, ensuring alignment between design intent and on-site execution.

• Technical Documentation & Compliance: Provide technical details for PV projects to support rebate applications, permitting, and regulatory submissions.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Civil engineering preferred, Associates Degree in building related engineering, or Associates Degree in Renewable Energy with field experience considered.

• 2+ years experience with Solar PV related drafting.

• Proficiency in AutoCAD and PV design software (e.g., Helioscope, PVsyst, or similar tools).

• Familiarity with the California Electrical Code (CEC) and local code requirements.

• Knowledge of conductor, equipment sizing, and single-line diagrams.

• Proficiency in Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides) and MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

• Ability to generate Bills of Materials (BOMs) and collaborate with project teams.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail.

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills for internal coordination with design and project teams.

Benefits:

Sun Light & Power offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to:

• Health - Sun Light & Power offers 8 different medical plans through Health Net and Kaiser

• Dental - Sun Light & Power covers 100% through Beam

• Vision - Sun Light & Power covers 100% through Beam

• Long-term disability insurance - Sun Light & Power covers 100%

• FSA, HSA and Commuter program

• 13 PTO days, 9 paid holidays

• 2 paid days for volunteering

• 401(k) retirement plan - Sun Light & Power will match 50% of 401(k) deferments, up to $1,000
• $500 annual stipend for tuition

• Company Stock - Sun Light & Power annually allocates 8% of our 1,000,000 issued shares of the company to ESOP Participants based on a formula considering the number of employees, employee's years of service and employee's total compensation. Shares are vested over a 6-year period.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and vehicles. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
It is the policy of Sun Light & Power to provide equal employment opportunity to all persons without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, religion, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, military or veteran status, marital status, registered domestic partner status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable federal or state law. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including but not limited to: recruitment, selection, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, demotion, termination, etc.