Project Development Engineer

Job Summary
The Project Development Engineer will be a key contributor to the commercial projects team. This individual will be responsible for managing the technical evaluation and diligence for new opportunities from initial project intake to proposal and final executed contract. The position will provide support for the Commercial Business Development department.

This role focuses on technical analysis, financial modeling, strategic planning, and cost estimating to support the development of proposals and EPC agreements for commercial solar and battery storage projects. The ideal candidate is analytical, detail-oriented, and passionate about advancing solar energy and storage adoption.

This position will work often with a Request for Proposal (RFP) response team to support development of commercial proposals. Incumbents are expected to have advanced excel modeling and financial analysis skills and to have the ability to work independently, with guidance limited to unusual projects or issues.

This position must also work collaboratively to ensure strategic integration with key internal business unit stakeholders, including Project Management and Construction, Supply Chain, Accounting, Health & Safety, among others. The position will require interaction with third party consultants or subcontractors to properly outline and structure their role for each project proposal.

Key Responsibilities

Project Development

• Develop structural and electrical conceptual design, including technology selection, layouts and drawings, electrical and roof interface for solar electric systems and other energy systems that meet all national, local, and stakeholder requirements for submission of proposals.
• Perform technical due diligence for RFPs or similar as required by official response documents. Verify or identify key requirements, to provide most appropriate solution or response.
• Utilize modeling tools such as production estimating tools (Helioscope and Energy Toolbase), and/or material optimizing methods to validate most appropriate design and material solutions. Work with other departments to provide best estimating and modeling information.
• Perform site surveys to collect client information via written reports and photos to document existing conditions and identify the main parameters from which to build the project technical and cost-related details.
• Collect and analyze 15-minute interval data and complete energy modeling by integrating customer load data with modeling software such as Energy Toolbase (ETB).
• Work with project development team to ‘right-size’ battery systems and prepare Excel tools to conduct a comparative analysis for multiple options, to determine the best outcomes based on the project stakeholder’s goals and objectives.
• Analyze client energy consumption data to design tailored solar and storage solutions that maximize energy savings, demand charge reduction, and grid services programs (GSPs).
• Prepare detailed cost estimates for solar installations and battery energy storage systems (BESS), including modules, inverters, racking, batteries, energy management systems, and balance of system (BOS) components, to ensure project feasibility and budget accuracy.

Battery Storage Technical Analysis

• Design battery energy storage systems (BESS) to complement solar installations, selecting appropriate battery chemistries (e.g., lithium-ion, flow batteries) based on project requirements, site constraints, and client goals.
• Develop charge/discharge strategies to optimize battery performance, including peak shaving, load shifting, demand response, and grid ancillary services, to maximize financial returns and system reliability.
• Model battery system performance using tools like ETB, HOMER, NREL’s REopt, or custom simulations to predict energy storage capacity, cycle life, and efficiency under various operating conditions.
• Ensure BESS designs comply with safety standards (e.g., UL 9540, NFPA 855) and integrate seamlessly with solar inverters and energy management systems.
• Evaluate and recommend energy storage technologies, including emerging solutions like solid-state batteries or second-life batteries, to enhance project sustainability and cost-effectiveness.

Project Operations Stage

• Coordinate with and manage a development-to-ops turnover of specific project details to ensure a smooth transition of the project workflow post-contract.
• Support the operations team throughout the design and installation schedule with coordination of project details from the project development phase.

General Responsibilities

• Research, document and comply with local and national code requirements in project jurisdictions.
• Assist in developing and documenting industry best practices, standards, and guidelines.
• Organizing photos and documentation in data server.
• Work to meet and exceed design Key Performance Indicators (KPI) including, but not limited to, quality, output, cycle time and difficulty.
• Participate in training modules to ensure constant learning goals to increase solar knowledge base.
• Stay up to date with the evolving Solar PV and Battery landscape and be constantly prepared for industry related change.
• Foster vendor and supplier relationships and contribute to a standardized approved vendor list.
• Develop and maintain solar energy models using tools like PVsyst, Helioscope, ETB or SAM to optimize system design, predict energy yield, and assess project performance.
• Perform comprehensive reviews of solar and storage project costs, identifying opportunities for cost optimization while maintaining quality, performance, and compliance with industry standards.
• Collaborate with sales and management teams to develop competitive pricing strategies for solar and storage projects, balancing profitability with market demands and client expectations.
• Stay updated on solar and energy storage industry trends, emerging technologies (e.g., advanced battery chemistries, hybrid inverters), and regulatory changes (e.g., net metering, demand response programs) to inform project strategies.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, or Renewable Energy preferred), Energy Management, or a related field. Certifications such as NABCEP PV Installation Professional, NABCEP Energy Storage Professional, or CEM are a plus.
• Experience: 2-5 years of experience in solar energy analysis, energy storage system design, or related fields, preferably within a solar EPC or consulting environment.
• Proficiency in solar and storage design software (e.g., PVsyst, Helioscope, SAM, HOMER, REopt).
• Strong data analysis skills using Excel, Python, or similar tools for energy and financial modeling of solar and storage systems.
• Familiarity with solar-specific equipment (e.g., inverters, racking systems) and energy storage systems (e.g., Tesla Megapack, Fluence, LG Chem).
• Knowledge of battery management systems (BMS) and energy management systems (EMS) for optimizing charge/discharge cycles.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities for complex solar and storage system design.
• Strong communication skills for technical report writing and client presentations.
• Ability to effectively communicate with engineering, construction, and customer facing teams.
• Ability to manage multiple solar and storage projects and meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

Why start an exciting career with Sunspear?

• Be part of a fast-growing company (Top 3 fastest growing, private company, in Hawaii – PBN: 2021, 2022, 2023), within a dynamic industry that provides a valuable service of helping clients save money while simultaneously promoting sustainability.
• Company growth opens doors for career advancement, and we love to promote from within.
• A mentorship environment with a strong team of industry veterans to learn from and who will encourage you to be successful!
• Bonuses for sending us referrals!
• As a company, we have built a positive and family-style culture within the organization; we pride ourselves on a fun team atmosphere with result-based incentives.

Pay: $72,000.00 – $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Opportunities for advancement
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person