Solar Designer

Job Overview:

Our client is seeking a detail-oriented Solar Designer responsible for producing complete, permit-ready, and constructible photovoltaic (PV) and energy-storage designs for residential projects across California. This role covers three primary project types: new-construction homes, existing-home retrofits, and system additions (batteries, generators, EV chargers, and related electrical upgrades). Designs must comply with current California Electrical Code / NEC standards (including Article 690 and 705), CEC / Title 24 Energy Code, AHJ plan-check requirements, and the interconnection rules of serving utilities (PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, SMUD, and municipal utilities). You will work closely with Project Managers, estimators, field superintendents, and subcontractors to ensure that all drawings can be built, inspected, and granted Permission to Operate (PTO) without redesign.

Schedule:

8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Fresno, CA Time; Full-time role

Responsibilities:

• Site & Data Intake: Review sales proposals, contract scopes, utility bill / interval data, and site survey packages. Confirm roof type, pitch, azimuth, usable area, fire setbacks, and structural notes. Flag missing survey data, unsafe roof conditions, or interconnection constraints early before permit submittal.
• System Design & Engineering Coordination: Handle array layouts, stringing / module-level power electronics, inverter selection, and conductor sizing. Select racking consistent with roof type, wind/snow loads, and manufacturer PE letters used in California. Prepare Single-Line Diagrams (SLD) and Three-Line Diagrams when required, showing PV, BESS, existing service, disconnects, rapid shutdown, grounding, and point of interconnection. Calculate voltage drop, ampacity, conduit fill, equipment ratings, and rapid shutdown plans per NEC. Generate production estimates (HelioScope, Aurora Solar, or equivalent) with documented shading and soiling assumptions, and coordinate structural and electrical PE stamps as needed.
• Permit, Utility & PTO Package Assembly: Assemble complete AHJ plan-check packages including cover sheets, site plans, roof plans, SLDs, equipment cut sheets, placard/label sheets, structural attachments, and Title 24 energy forms. Prepare utility interconnection applications and single-line diagrams matching IOU / POU standards. Respond to AHJ and utility comments using revision clouds and change logs. Support PTO packets with as-built redlines, final SLDs, photo coordination, and commissioning checklists.
• Constructability & Field Support: Ensure designs are buildable by in-house crews and electrical subcontractors without hidden attic or service conflicts. Issue RFIs and design clarifications during installation and convert as-built markups into record drawings. Participate in design reviews with PMs and field teams for high-risk projects (MPU + battery, tile roof, HOA, historic district, multi-inverter).
• Quality, Version Control & Handoff: Maintain naming conventions, revision control, and folder structures per company SOP. Handoff complete packages to PMs and permitting teams with design notes (assumptions, open risks, AHJ quirks). Track cycle times from survey completion to first design, permit readiness, and comment turnaround.
• Required Project Deliverables: Produce Site/Roof Plans, Single-Line Diagrams (SLD), Equipment Schedules/BOM, Production Models, Electrical Calculations, Permit Packages, Utility Interconnection Packages, Design Notes/Risk Logs, and As-Builts post-installation.

Requirements:

• Demonstrated residential PV design experience in California across new construction and retrofit projects.
• Working knowledge of NEC 690 / 705, CEC Title 24 solar/storage provisions, and California fire setback/pathway rules.
• Hands-on experience preparing AHJ permit sets and at least one major-IOU interconnection package.
• Battery / hybrid system design experience beyond proposal-level work.
• Ability to explain design decisions clearly to Project Managers and field leads.
• Clean, revision-controlled drawing habits and reliable turnaround.
• Proficiency with design and modeling software (Aurora Solar and/or HelioScope) and CAD drafting tools (AutoCAD or equivalent).
• Experience with structural attachment tools (e.g., IronRidge, Unirac, QuickMount) and utility interconnection portals (PG&E, SCE, SDG&E).

Preferred Qualifications:

• NABCEP PV Design Specialist or PV Installation Professional certification.
• Experience with Central Valley, Bay Area, and/or Southern California AHJs.
• Experience with MPU / service-upgrade design and coordination with licensed electricians.
• Bilingual capabilities in Spanish for field coordination.
• Prior work experience within an inst