Solar Engineer Jobs
Find engineering roles across solar design, systems, project, electrical, and battery storage.
63 positions available
Charlie Mike Recruiting
Solar Engineering Manager
Charlie Mike Recruiting
Solar Engineering Manager
Charlie Mike Recruiting
Solar Engineering Manager
Types of Solar Engineer Roles
A solar-engineering title can describe very different work. A residential design desk does not operate like a utility-scale EPC. The cards below map the main titles to their actual scope.
Solar Design Engineer
Design engineers turn a site into a buildable system. They handle array layout, string sizing and shading analysis. Production models and permit drawings complete the package. This is a common engineering entry point.
PV Systems Engineer
Systems engineers own the overall architecture. Their work covers DC and AC design, structural coordination and equipment selection. They also review technical decisions across several projects.
Solar Project Engineer
Project engineers connect the design office with the field crew. They manage RFIs, submittals and as-built drawings. They also solve problems uncovered during construction. Design engineers often move into this role for more site exposure.
Electrical Engineer (Solar)
Electrical engineers handle one-line diagrams and grounding design. Protection studies and interconnection applications also fall within the role. The work follows NEC Articles 690 and 705.
BESS / Energy Storage Engineer
BESS engineers design the storage system. They size batteries and select inverters or power-conversion systems. Thermal management, NFPA 855 fire safety and dispatch controls shape the rest of the work.
Solar Engineer Job Titles Are Confusing — Here's Why
Job boards use “Solar Design Engineer,” “PV Systems Engineer” and “Electrical Engineer — Solar” for distinct jobs. The title alone rarely reveals the scope.
BLS tracks electrical and mechanical engineers, but it has no separate solar-engineer occupation. Each EPC, installer and utility therefore applies its own naming system.
Our solar-engineering title guide maps the work, requirements and pay behind each title. It covers design, systems, project, electrical and BESS roles.
Software and Skills Employers Actually Ask For
Solar postings name software early. PVsyst, Helioscope or Aurora Solar is often the first screening criterion. AutoCAD follows for plan sets and one-line diagrams. Protection-study roles may require ETAP or SKM.
Engineers moving from conventional AC work also face different hazards. Our solar DC safety guide covers sustained arcs, daylight-generated voltage and array-side isolation.
Qualifications Employers Look For
PVsyst, Helioscope, or Aurora Solar proficiency
Production modeling and layout software is the core skill across most solar design roles. Utility-scale roles add PVCase or PlantPredict for large-array optimization.
AutoCAD or AutoCAD Electrical
Plan sets, one-line diagrams, and as-built drawings are built in CAD. Electrical-focused roles may also use ETAP or SKM for protection studies.
NEC Article 690 and 705 knowledge
PV-specific code knowledge separates solar engineers from general engineers. Understanding string sizing, rapid shutdown, and interconnection rules is the technical foundation of the role.
NABCEP certification or EIT/PE track
NABCEP PVIP is the most commonly requested solar credential on engineering postings. EIT and PE matter for stamping roles at utility scale and for certain commercial permits.
Solar Engineer Pay: What Changes the Offer
Scope, software depth and license status shape the offer. Residential design roles usually sit at the lower end. PE-licensed utility-scale work commands the highest pay.
$60–85K
Residential design
Entry-level design roles often accept technician backgrounds plus software proficiency.
$80–120K
Commercial & utility-scale
Systems and project engineering at EPCs and integrators, mid-level.
$110–150K+
Senior / PE-licensed
Utility-scale electrical and systems engineering with stamping responsibility.
The BESS Angle: Where Solar Engineering Is Heading
Battery storage now appears across residential, commercial and utility-scale projects. BESS engineers size batteries and select power-conversion equipment. They also address thermal controls, NFPA 855 and dispatch strategy.
Field roles follow a different path. Our BESS technician guide explains the entry requirements. You can also browse open BESS technician jobs.
Solar Engineer Job FAQ
What does a solar design engineer do?
Do I need an engineering degree for solar engineer jobs?
What software do solar engineers use?
What is the difference between a solar engineer and a solar installer?
What is the salary range for solar engineer jobs?
Which states hire the most solar engineers?
How do I get my first solar engineer job?
From Design Desk to Field: Explore Related Roles
Prefer field work? Explore solar PV installer jobs, solar electrician jobs or lead installer roles. New to solar? Start with our guide to becoming an installer.