Project Engineer

Nevados is the premier solar tracker company for PV power plants built on sloped and rolling terrain. We offer innovative all-terrain trackers paired with a comprehensive software suite in an integrated technology platform that optimizes solar performance, improves plant reliability and respects the natural landscape. Headquartered in Oakland and backed by institutional capital, Nevados is transforming utility-scale PV deployment with our tracking solutions and partnership approach.

Nevados is a distributed organization with many team members working remotely, while other roles require an in office and on-site presence. Specifics of the work location, travel expectations and other role requirements are outlined in the position overview. Ideal candidates are self-motivated and able to manage their time effectively.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Project Engineer to lead the detailed design and optimization phase of solar projects. In this role, you will be the primary point of contact for customers during engineering design and manage the transition of PV projects from development to construction. You'll coordinate with internal teams and external partners to deliver accurate, high-quality engineering packages on schedule.

Key responsibilities include reviewing project layouts, generating bill of materials, preparing construction drawings, and developing cost-effective solutions. Success in this role requires strong communication, collaboration, and proactive problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Lead customer communication throughout the engineering and design phase of solar tracker projects.
• Gather, review and coordinate technical details from customers and third parties for final engineering deliverables.
• Lead regular customer meetings to track progress, address challenges, and ensure projects remain on schedule.
• Manage deliverables to meet permitting, procurement, and delivery milestones.
• Provide design support for tracker layouts, CAD blocks, permit sets, and construction documents.
• Coordinate internal teams (civil, structural, controls, drafting, etc.) to maintain project timelines and budgets.
• Support project management and construction teams to ensure designs are implemented accurately and meet specifications.
• Review and validate engineering drawings, specifications, and designs to ensure quality and compliance with project requirements.
• Identify project risks early and resolve issues quickly and collaboratively.
• Maintain organized project documentation, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Produce precise project drawings using AutoCAD and Civil 3D.
• Collaborate with engineers and internal teams to refine templates, improve workflows, and develop automation tools.
• Contribute to product development initiatives and maintain a thorough understanding of Nevados' solar tracker products.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience as a Project Engineer, preferably in utility-scale solar tracker projects or similar renewable energy systems.
• Strong knowledge of engineering principles, with a focus on solar tracker design.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD and Civil 3D.
• Experience with topography analysis, hydrology analysis, and value engineering.
• Excellent project management skills for complex projects, including task prioritization, resource management, and risk mitigation.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities with attention to detail.
• Effective communicator capable of conveying complex technical topics clearly across teams and stakeholders.

$90,000 - $115,000 a year

This range indicates base salary. See more regarding total compensation packages below. Actual compensation will be determined based on candidate experience, skillset, and location.

Benefits & Total Compensation Package

Nevados offers competitive base salary, bonus, commission (if applicable to the role) and stock options commensurate with qualifications and experience. Full time employees and their eligible dependents are offered medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long term disability and vol life. We also offer 401(k) participation, unlimited PTO, generous sick leave, paid company holidays and additional benefit offerings as we continue to grow.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Unless otherwise explicitly stated as a requirement of the role, candidates must be willing to travel at least 10-20% of the time for company off-sites, conferences, trade shows, site visits, and other potential events as needed.

Inclusion at Nevados

Not sure you meet every qualification? We encourage you to apply anyway. We're committed to building a team that reflects a variety of backgrounds, identities, and perspectives. This includes uplifting women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others who are underrepresented in cleantech and the broader tech industry. Nevados is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Interview Process

At Nevados, our interview process is designed to be comprehensive and thorough to ensure the best fit for both the candidate and our team. It typically entails 3-5 conversations over the course of 3-4 weeks. This timeline and format may vary based on the role as well as availability of team members and the candidate. The process is subject to change at any time.

Phone Screen: An initial call with Recruiting to discuss your background, expectations, and interest in the role.

Discussions with Hiring Managers: In-depth calls with hiring managers/team members to assess your technical skills and fit.

Cross Functional Team Member Interviews: Meetings to gauge team dynamics and working style.

Executive Leadership Conversations: Discussions with our executive team to ensure alignment with the company's strategic goals and vision.

Professional Reference Checks and Background Check: The final step before an offer involves contacting your provided professional references to verify your qualifications and past performance as well as a background check.

To ensure a fair and consistent experience for all candidates, we ask that interviews be completed without the use of real-time AI tools, scripts, or external assistance during live conversations, unless explicitly discussed and approved in advance.

Nevados provides reasonable accommodations for candidates who need them. Please let us know in advance if any adjustments are required.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.