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Nextpower

Sr Technical Sales Engineer

Fremont, CA · On-site +1

Independent Engineer (IE) & Technical Diligence Support * Support U.S.-based 3rd-party IE engagements and lender technical reviews. * Prepare documentation and responses for performance modeling ...

Nextracker

Sr Technical Sales Engineer

Fremont, CA · On-site

Independent Engineer (IE) & Technical Diligence Support * Support U.S.-based 3rd-party IE engagements and lender technical reviews. * Prepare documentation and responses for performance modeling ...

RAKS Group LLC

App security engineer

Washington, DC

$66.50 - $89/hr

... Independent engineer will lead their projects. Will collaborate with extended team as needed Preferred: â CISSP â Understands Agile and Sprints â Fortinet WAF or Cisco ACE optional â Security ...

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How much do independent engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for independent engineer in the United States is $101,752.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,000.00 and $116,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Independent Engineers when working with multiple clients simultaneously?

Independent Engineers often juggle several projects at once, which can present challenges in managing timelines, communication, and differing client expectations. Prioritizing tasks effectively and maintaining clear, consistent communication with each client is essential to avoid misunderstandings and ensure project milestones are met. Additionally, adapting to various technical requirements and organizational cultures for each client requires flexibility and strong problem-solving skills. Building a reliable workflow and utilizing project management tools can help streamline processes and improve client satisfaction.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Independent Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Independent Engineer, you need a solid engineering background, relevant degree or licensure (such as Professional Engineer status), and expertise in project evaluation and technical due diligence. Familiarity with project management software, CAD systems, and industry-specific standards or certifications like LEED is often required. Strong analytical thinking, effective communication, and problem-solving skills are crucial for building trust and delivering unbiased assessments. These competencies ensure accurate project evaluations, regulatory compliance, and successful client outcomes.

What is an Independent Engineer?

An Independent Engineer is a professional who provides impartial technical review and advice on engineering projects, often for lenders, investors, or regulatory bodies. Their role is to assess project feasibility, ensure compliance with standards, and monitor progress and performance without bias. Independent Engineers help to identify risks, verify project documentation, and confirm that contractual and technical requirements are being met. They are commonly involved in large infrastructure, energy, and construction projects, offering expertise throughout the project lifecycle.

What is the difference between Independent Engineer vs Project Engineer?

AspectIndependent EngineerProject Engineer
CredentialsEngineering degree, relevant certifications, sometimes licensingEngineering degree, project management certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentConsulting, independent review, site inspectionsOn-site project management, coordination with teams
Employer & IndustryConsulting firms, developers, EPC contractorsConstruction companies, engineering firms, project owners

While both roles require engineering expertise, an Independent Engineer primarily provides independent assessments, reviews, and oversight, often working as a consultant. A Project Engineer manages daily project activities, coordinating teams and ensuring project milestones are met. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or hiring the appropriate professional for your project needs.

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Sr Technical Sales Engineer

Nextpower

Fremont, CA • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

Job Description:
At Nextpower, we are driving the clean energy transition by delivering intelligent, high-performance solutions for utility-scale solar power plants. Our advanced solar tracker systems and plant optimization technologies enable improved energy yield, reduced risk, and long-term project value for customers across the United States.
We are a team of innovative, collaborative problem-solvers committed to delivering technical excellence and commercial strength in every project we support.
Role Overview
Nextpower is seeking a Senior Technical Sales Engineer to lead technical engagement and drive win-rate success across complex utility-scale solar opportunities throughout the United States.
This role serves as the senior technical authority supporting the U.S. Sales organization. The Senior Technical Sales Engineer provides deep technical expertise across the full sales lifecycle, strengthens customer confidence, and supports 3rd-party Independent Engineer (IE) diligence and financing reviews.
This position is focused exclusively on U.S. market support and collaborates closely with U.S.-based Sales, Engineering, and Project teams.
What You'll Do
Sales Cycle Technical Leadership (U.S. Market)
  • Serve as the senior technical point of contact for U.S. Sales.

  • Lead development of technical proposals and responses to RFIs/RFPs.

  • Provide system optimization analysis, performance modeling support, and technical risk mitigation strategies.

  • Support customer meetings, technical workshops, and pre-contract negotiations.

  • Influence customer technical specifications to align with Nextpower solutions.

Independent Engineer (IE) & Technical Diligence Support
  • Support U.S.-based 3rd-party IE engagements and lender technical reviews.

  • Prepare documentation and responses for performance modeling, structural design, and system architecture assessments.

  • Coordinate with internal engineering teams to address diligence findings and technical clarifications.

Customer Training & Technical Enablement
  • Develop and deliver customer technical training sessions covering tracker system functionality and plant performance optimization.

  • Lead technical education workshops during late-stage sales and pre-construction phases.

  • Create professional, customer-facing documentation and presentation materials.

  • Support technical onboarding to ensure effective handoff to Project Engineering and Operations.

Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner with U.S. Sales, Product, Engineering, Applications, and Project teams to deliver technically sound solutions.

  • Participate in structured technical risk reviews for complex projects.

  • Provide market feedback based on customer interactions and IE engagement insights.

Sales Enablement & Competitive Insight
  • Support internal U.S. sales enablement initiatives.

  • Maintain awareness of competitive offerings and specification trends within the U.S. utility-scale solar market.

  • Contribute to improvements in quoting tools and cost estimation processes.

What We're Looking For
Experience
  • 8+ years of experience in utility-scale solar energy, technical sales engineering, applications engineering, system design or construction

  • Extensive experience supporting competitive U.S. sales processes.

  • Demonstrated involvement in Independent Engineer (IE) reviews and lender technical diligence.

  • Proven track record influencing technical decisions in large-scale project environments.

Technical Knowledge
  • Deep understanding of:

  • Utility-scale solar tracker systems

  • PV plant performance modeling

  • Electrical schematics and system layouts

  • EPC workflows and U.S. project development processes

  • Strong knowledge of engineering economics and lifecycle performance optimization.

  • Experience evaluating technical risk in competitive bid environments.

Skills
  • High-level communication skills with the ability to translate technical detail into clear commercial value.

  • Advanced proficiency in Excel (pivot tables, lookup functions, scenario modeling).

  • Experience using CRM tools such as Salesforce or equivalent.

  • Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple concurrent opportunities.

  • Customer-focused, detail-oriented, and composed under pressure.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Familiarity with performance modeling software and solar plant optimization tools.

  • Prior engagement with EPCs, developers, IPPs, and Independent Engineers within the U.S. market.

Why Nextpower
  • Opportunity to serve as a senior technical leader supporting high-impact U.S. solar projects.

  • Collaborative, mission-driven culture focused on innovation and execution.

  • Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package.

Nextpower offers a comprehensive benefits package. We provide health care coverage, dental and vision, 401(K) participation including company matching, company paid holidays with unlimited paid time off, generous discretionary company bonuses, life and disability protection and more. Employees in certain positions may be eligible for stock compensation. All plans are in accordance with relevant plan documents. For more information on Nextpower's benefits please view our company website at www.Nextpower.com
Pay is based on market location and may vary based on factors including experience, skills, education and other job-related reasons. The annual salary range for this position is 150,000.00 to 165,000.00 plus a commission structure based on commission calculation, such as percentage of sales or specific metrics.(Applicable to California)
NEXRSR
At Nextpower, we are driving the global energy transition with an integrated clean energy technology platform that combines intelligent structural, electrical, and digital solutions for utility-scale power plants. Our comprehensive portfolio enables faster project delivery, higher performance, and greater reliability, helping our customers capture the full value of solar power. Our talented worldwide teams are redefining how solar power plants are designed, built, and operated every day with smart technology, data-driven insights, and advanced automation. Together, we're building the foundation for the world's next generation of clean energy infrastructure.
Nextpower is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
We are Nextpower

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