Freelance Solar Permit Design Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Position Overview

Atwell is seeking an experienced Structural Designer to support the design and execution of utility-scale Solar PV and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects across our Power & Energy team. This role will focus on structural design and drafting support for renewable energy projects, including PV racking and tracker systems, equipment foundations, structural details, site coordination, and construction drawing packages.

This is an excellent opportunity for a designer who enjoys technically detailed renewable energy projects and wants exposure to the full structural design process for Solar PV and BESS facilities. The ideal candidate will have experience preparing structural drawing packages, coordinating with engineers and designers across disciplines, and supporting projects from conceptual design through IFC deliverables and construction support.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the development of structural design drawing packages for utility-scale Solar PV and BESS projects.
• Prepare and revise structural layouts, foundation plans, pile layouts, racking/tracker details, equipment pad layouts, steel support details, and construction details.
• Support structural design for PV tracker systems, fixed-tilt racking, inverter skids, transformer pads, BESS equipment pads, PCS equipment, and related balance-of-plant structures.
• Coordinate with structural engineers, civil teams, electrical teams, project managers, vendors, and other design staff to ensure deliverables are accurate, complete, and aligned with project scope.
• Incorporate design markups, redlines, vendor information, geotechnical data, survey information, and client comments into structural drawing packages.
• Assist with material take-offs, drawing updates, as-builts, and construction support documentation.
• Support project execution from conceptual layout through detailed design, IFC packages, and construction support.
• Maintain drawing quality, design consistency, and adherence to applicable codes, client standards, project specifications, and Atwell procedures.
• Work with multidisciplinary teams across renewables, civil/site, electrical, substation, transmission, and interconnection-related projects.
• Support construction and field activities as needed, including responding to design questions, RFIs, and field-related drawing revisions.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree, technical certification, or equivalent hands-on experience in structural drafting/design, civil/structural design, renewable energy design, or related field.
• Minimum of 3+ years of structural design or drafting experience, preferably supporting Solar PV, BESS, renewable energy, power delivery, industrial, or civil infrastructure projects.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD required; experience with Civil 3D, MicroStation, Revit, or other structural/design platforms is a plus.
• Experience preparing structural design packages, including foundation plans, equipment layouts, structural details, sections, notes, schedules, and construction drawings.
• Understanding of structural components such as steel supports, concrete foundations, equipment pads, piles, racking systems, tracker systems, and balance-of-plant structures.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering markups, vendor drawings, geotechnical reports, survey data, and project specifications.

Preferred Experience

• Experience supporting utility-scale Solar PV and/or BESS projects.
• Familiarity with PV racking systems, single-axis trackers, fixed-tilt systems, driven piles, inverter pads, transformer pads, BESS container pads, PCS equipment pads, and other renewable energy structural elements.
• Experience coordinating with civil, electrical, substation, transmission, and geotechnical teams on large-scale energy projects.
• Exposure to structural design software or analysis tools such as RISA, STAAD.Pro, L-Pile, Enercalc, or similar platforms is a plus.
• Familiarity with renewable energy project phases, including conceptual layouts, permit drawings, detailed design, IFC packages, construction support, and as-builts.
• Ability to support multiple projects and deadlines while maintaining drawing quality and design consistency.

Pay Range - $30/hr. - $55/hr., + bonus.

Disclaimer

While AI tools may support your application process, this role is built on human talent. Your judgment, experience, and character matter most, so we encourage you to showcase what makes you uniquely you.

Atwell does not accept unsolicited resumes from any 3rd party agencies. No fee will be paid to 3rd parties who submit unsolicited resumes to any Atwell employee. Resumes from approved vendors must be specifically requested by Atwell and approved by the Atwell Talent Acquisition Team.

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