Job description
The world now has over 1.7 terawatts of cumulative solar capacity and solar PV is the lowest-cost source of energy generation worldwide.
The challenge: The world must build 3 terawatts of new solar capacity every year for the next 25 years.
Planted is creating new technology to overhaul how the industry develops and builds solar power resources. And we need help. We're expanding our team of ambitious, curious, and hands-on engineers and operators. Come own large parts of product, company, or business development and help power the world with 100% clean energy.
About The Role
As an integral part of the hardware team, you will architect, design, analyze, build, and install Planted's novel solar racking system. Lead the development design cycle from concept ideation through first build. This role offers the opportunity to work closely with a cross-functional engineering team with a highly talented group of engineers from varied backgrounds.
The salary range for this full-time position is $100,000 - $135,000 plus stock and benefits. Pay within the range is based on candidate experience, job-specific skills, education, and work location. The target experience for the position is 1-5+ years.
Responsibilities
- Own challenging design projects from product development and delivery through conception, design, and assembly
- Perform analyses including hand calculations, FEA, and CAD on product designs.
- Develop and track to project schedules in a high pace and rapidly changing environment
- Ideate novel solutions to challenging problems - from the system level to individual part design
- Develop automation tools and equipment to enable the rapid deployment of solar projects at scale
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or similar
- Experience in mechanical design and analysis
- Demonstrated success owning and driving complex problems to clear outcomes.
- Hands on aptitude - able to dive in and troubleshoot issues
- Desire to work in a startup environment
What We Offer
- 11 paid company holidays and flexible Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Company-paid in-office lunches
- Stock options
- Medical, vision, dental, and other benefits
- Pre-tax commuter benefits
- 401(k)
- A chance to have an empowered, meaningful, and early role in climate
This will be a great fit if:
- You want to solve challenging problems
- You are biased toward action and focus on the vital work that drives the most impact
- You prioritize the physical and psychological safety of yourself and those around you
- You are humble, embrace change, and deliver and receive candid feedback
- You are optimistic about the future and can make tough decisions to help get there
- You have high expectations and coach, develop, and make time to help others
Planted Solar is an equal opportunity employer committed to growing inclusively, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, medical condition, age, or veteran status. However you identify, or whatever background you bring with you, please apply. We look forward to hearing from you.
Pay & benefits
About this role
About Planted Solar
Company Overview
Planted Solar, a privately held company
HeadquartersOakland, United States
Founded2020
SizeApproximately 50 employees ranged in recent years (source: linkedin.com)
What They Do
Planted Solar is an autonomous power deployment company that integrates advanced software, terrain-following solar design, racking hardware, and field robotics into a unified platform to accelerate solar project deployment while minimizing land use (source: plantedsolar.com). Their technology combines planning software, digital twins, and storage solutions with robotics to enable manufacturing-style construction of solar power plants, targeting solar developers, independent power producers, data center operators, and other large power users (source: pv-magazine-usa.com). The company’s platform is engineered to increase energy density and reduce land requirements, while meeting permitting and bankability standards from the outset, which helps developers finance and build projects more quickly (source: plantedsolar.com). This integrated approach differentiates Planted Solar from conventional solar installation by focusing on automation and productization of deployment processes (source: plantedsolar.com).
Projects & Track Record
Planted Solar’s early project portfolio includes an 11 MW community solar installation in Chicago, completed as part of its launch story, and the Bowes Solar project, another 11 MW installation finalized in 2025 (source: solarbuildermag.com). The company also developed an 11 MW community solar project in the Chicago metro area with Cultivate Power, which reportedly delivers approximately twice the energy per acre compared to conventional solar plants (source: businesswire.com). In 2026, Planted completed a 28 MW behind-the-meter solar installation serving a neocloud data center, achieving power generation within 10 months and field construction in under three months (source: power-eng.com). The company is on track to exceed 100 MW of project installations in 2026, with a project pipeline surpassing 20 GW (source: solarbuildermag.com). Another notable project is Armoracia, a 7.3 MW DC community solar development in Collinsville Township, Illinois, acquired by Aligned Climate Capital’s Aligned Solar Partners strategy in July 2026 after Planted served as the development partner (source: businesswire.com).
Recent Developments
In September 2026, Planted Solar announced a $31.8 million funding round led by Piva Capital and RA Capital Management Planetary Health, with participation from Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Gigascale Capital, Google, and Khosla Ventures, aimed at expanding its robotic fleet and launching Sage, its next-generation installation robot expected to enter the field in late 2026 (source: plantedsolar.com). The new capital is also intended to support hiring across robotics, hardware, commercial, and field operations in Oakland and at project sites nationwide (source: plantedsolar.com). Additionally, the company recently completed a 28 MW behind-the-meter solar installation for a neocloud data center, moving from initial contact to power generation in just 10 months (source: power-eng.com). Planted deployed over 10 MW in 2025 and is targeting 100 MW by the end of 2026, reflecting rapid growth and scaling of its autonomous deployment platform (source: solarbuildermag.com).
Working There
Planted Solar’s hiring focus in 2026 has been on robotics, hardware, commercial, and field operations roles, including positions such as Mechatronics Engineer, Prototype Specialist, Assembly Technician, Field Robotics Technician, Structural Project Engineer, and Civil Project Engineer based in Oakland (source: climatetechlist.com). Field teams regularly travel to project sites across the United States to support deployments (source: plantedsolar.com). The company culture emphasizes engineering and automation, focusing on robotics, software development, project engineering, and manufacturing-style assembly rather than traditional EPC solar construction methods (source: plantedsolar.com). This environment fosters innovation in productizing solar deployment through advanced technology integration (source: climatetechlist.com).
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