Sr. PV Project Development Engineer, Tesla Energy

Join Tesla Energy's Project Development team as we accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy. As a Senior PV Project Development Engineer, you will be at the forefront of designing utility-scale solar and energy storage solutions that power data centers, utilities, and commercial customers worldwide.

You'llwork in a fast-paced, innovative environment where yourexpertisein conceptual and preliminary PV plant design will directly influence the bankability and feasibility of multi-megawatt solar + storage projects. Your designs will shape interconnection studies, inform early-stage bids, and reduce risk in hybrid renewable energy proposals. This role demands technical rigor, creative problem-solving, and the ability to balance speed with accuracy in high-stakes feasibility assessments.

Expect to collaborate with cross-functional teams including electrical engineering, energy storage integration, project finance, and business development.You'llbe instrumental in driving Tesla's growth in the utility-scale solar market, working oncutting-edgehybridand collocatedPV + Megapack projects that define the future of clean energy infrastructure.

This position is based in either Austin, Texas, or Palo Alto, California.

• Site Layout Optimization:Design andoptimizeutility-scale PV plant layouts using industry-leading tools, balancing land use, shading, topography, and equipment constraints to maximize energy yield and project economics
• Module & Inverter Configuration:Specify and configure PV module/inverter/string architectures, evaluate tracker vs. fixed-tilt systems, and conduct trade-off analyses for different equipment selections
• Energy Yield Modeling:Perform preliminary energy yield modeling and loss analysis using PVsyst,HelioScope, orRatedPowerto support feasibility studies and interconnection applications
• Electrical System Design:Develop high-level electrical single-line diagrams, MV collection system plans, and preliminary power flow studies for solar plants and hybrid PV + BESS projects
• Hybrid System Integration:Design conceptual integration schemes forsolarand battery energy storage systems (BESS), including DC-coupled and AC-coupled configurations feeding MV networks and data center loads
• Interconnection Support:Prepare technical documentation and preliminary studies for interconnection applications (FERC, utility ISAs), including short-circuit analysis and voltage impact assessments using ETAP or SKMPowerTools
• Feasibility Assessments:Lead quick-turnaround, bankable feasibility assessments for early-stage projects, providing data-driven recommendations that inform bid/no-bid decisions
• Stakeholder Collaboration:Partner with business development,sales,finance, and construction/deploymentteams to translate technical designs into actionable project proposals and cost estimates
• Risk Mitigation:Identifytechnical and regulatory risks in early-stage designs, propose mitigation strategies, and ensure designscomply withNEC, IEEE, and utility interconnection standards
• Continuous Improvement:Stay current on emerging PV technologies, design software updates, and industry best practices; mentor junior engineers and contribute to standardized design workflows

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Renewable Energy Engineering, or equivalent experience
• 5-6 years of experience in utility-scale solar project development, EPC, or owner's engineering
• Expert-levelproficiencyin PVsyst andHelioScopeorRatedPowerfor energy yield modeling and site layout optimization
• Working knowledge of ETAP or SKMPowerToolsfor preliminary power flow, short-circuit, and arc flash analysis
• Hands-on experience with interconnection applications and preliminary interconnection studies (transmission or distribution level)
• Strong understanding of PV system fundamentals: module/inverter technologies, tracker systems, DC/AC architectures, and performance modeling
• Knowledge ofhybrid solarandstorage system design, including DC and AC coupling strategiesandassociatedbalance of plant equipmentfrom MV to HV substation
• Experience with preliminary cost estimation and value engineering during the pre-construction phase
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple concurrent feasibility studies with tight deadlines
• Excellent communication skills, capable of presenting technical findings to non-technical stakeholders