Manager, Design & Engineering

Job Description

At Haven Energy, we're on a mission to accelerate the adoption of clean energy technologies by helping homeowners install solar and battery systems. We specialize in deploying residential solar and battery systems through strategic partnerships with utilities, non-profits, and government agencies, with a particular focus on low and moderate income households. As a growing startup, we're looking for dynamic, driven professionals who want to make a real impact in the clean energy space.

Haven Energy is seeking a Design & Engineering Manager to own the end-to-end design function for residential solar + storage projects. This role is critical to ensuring projects are accurately scoped, technically sound, VPP-ready, and executable at scale, and will play a key part in shaping Haven's long-term design organization, with the opportunity to influence team structure and tooling as volume scales.

This position blends hands-on technical leadership with performance management. You'll oversee design quality and throughput, manage external design vendors, own key design metrics, and continuously improve the pre-installation pipeline. You'll work cross-functionally with Field Quality Engineering, Operations, Product, and installer partners to ensure designs meet Haven's technical standards and operational needs.

What You'll Do

End-to-End Design Ownership

• Own the residential solar + storage design lifecycle, from site survey validation through final construction-ready designs.
• Serve as the final design authority for residential solar + storage projects, balancing technical integrity, installability, and program requirements.
• Ensure scopes of work are accurate, complete, and aligned with installer execution requirements.
• Maintain high standards for technical accuracy, aesthetics, and installability across all projects.

Vendor & Throughput Management

• Manage third-party design vendors, including onboarding, performance tracking, and ongoing optimization.
• Own SLAs related to turnaround time, quality, and rework rates; provide structured feedback and corrective action as needed.
• Balance throughput, quality, and cost as volume scales across regions and programs.

Design Quality & Engineering Standards

• Lead quality audits of site surveys and designs to ensure compliance with Haven engineering standards, NEC, and program requirements.
• Own and evolve Haven's design standards in partnership with installers, utilities, and internal stakeholders.
• Partner closely with Field Quality Engineering to close the loop between design assumptions and field realities.

Metrics & Performance Management

• Own key design performance metrics, including cycle times, fallout reasons, redesign rates, and install readiness.
• Build and maintain visibility into the design pipeline using dashboards, trackers, and reporting tools.
• Identify bottlenecks and drive targeted process improvements across SOPs, tools, vendors, and workflows.

Grid & Program Readiness

• Ensure designs support advanced functionality for grid services, including VPPs, demand response, and utility programs.
• Incorporate program-specific and incentive requirements into standardized design workflows.
• Design with equity in mind, ensuring processes support successful delivery in LMI communities.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Operations, Product, and install partners to continuously improve handoffs and outcomes.
• Provide clear guidance and escalation when design risks impact schedule, cost, or customer experience.

What You'll Bring

• 7+ years of experience in residential solar and/or battery storage, with a strong background in system design, engineering, and quality management.
• Hands-on experience with design and survey tools such as Aurora, Scanifly, Company Cam, CAD-based platforms, or equivalent.
• Strong understanding of NEC, utility requirements, and downstream interconnection considerations.
• Proven experience managing third-party vendors or technical service providers at scale.
• Comfort working with metrics, dashboards, and operational data to manage performance and prioritize work.
• High attention to detail with the ability to spot issues before they become field failures.
• Clear, confident communicator who thrives in a fast-paced, evolving startup environment.

Nice to Have

• Experience designing for battery-heavy systems or storage-first deployments.
• Familiarity with VPPs, demand response, or grid services programs.
• Experience supporting LMI-focused programs, incentives, or utility partnerships.

Why Join Haven Energy

• Own a mission-critical function with real influence over how Haven scales nationwide.
• Work in a high-trust, high-ownership environment with a collaborative team.
• Competitive compensation, equity, and full benefits.
• Help build a more resilient, flexible, and equitable energy system, starting with great design.

Ready to set the technical bar for residential solar + storage at scale? Join Haven Energy and help define the design standards powering a more resilient, distributed grid.