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Phd Solar Engineer Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

Develop, maintain, validate, and document electrical models for utility-scale wind, solar, BESS ... PhD in Power Systems, Electrical Engineering, or related field. * Automation, agentic coding ...

Develop, maintain, validate, and document electrical models for utility-scale wind, solar, BESS ... PhD in Power Systems, Electrical Engineering, or related field. * Automation, agentic coding ...

Master's or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline ... Solar-specific domain knowledge * Familiarity with sun-shape and DNI modeling, circumsolar ratio ...

Master's or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline ... Solar-specific domain knowledge * Familiarity with sun-shape and DNI modeling, circumsolar ratio ...

Lead Optical Engineer (Austin, TX)

Austin, TX · On-site

$127K - $165K/yr

Master's or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline ... Solar-specific domain knowledge * Familiarity with sun-shape and DNI modeling, circumsolar ratio ...

Staff PCB Design Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$100K - $151K/yr

Founded in 2006, our innovative microinverter technology revolutionized solar power, making it a ... Mentor junior staff Who you are and What you bring * BS/MS/PhD Electrical Engineering, Computer ...

Showing results 21-40

Phd Solar Engineer information

What is the difference between Phd Solar Engineer vs Solar Project Engineer?

AspectPhd Solar EngineerSolar Project Engineer
Required CredentialsPhD in Renewable Energy, Solar Engineering, or related fieldBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, Renewable Energy, or related field
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academic institutions, R&D departmentsConstruction sites, project management offices, fieldwork
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutes, advanced R&D divisions of solar companiesSolar installation companies, project development firms, EPC contractors

The main difference between a Phd Solar Engineer and a Solar Project Engineer lies in their focus and work environment. A Phd Solar Engineer typically engages in research, development, and advanced analysis within academic or R&D settings, requiring a doctoral degree. In contrast, a Solar Project Engineer is more involved in the planning, execution, and management of solar installation projects, often working in the field or on-site. Both roles are essential in the solar industry but serve different stages of solar technology development and deployment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a PhD solar engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a PhD Solar Engineer, you need advanced knowledge in photovoltaic systems, materials science, and energy engineering, typically supported by a doctoral degree in a relevant field. Familiarity with simulation software (like MATLAB or PVsyst), laboratory instrumentation, and data analysis tools is essential, along with published research or patents. Strong problem-solving, project management, and collaboration skills help you excel in both research and interdisciplinary team environments. These competencies enable innovation, effective project execution, and advancement in solar technology and renewable energy solutions.

What are some unique challenges faced by PhD solar engineers in research and development teams?

PhD Solar Engineers often encounter challenges such as integrating cutting-edge research into practical, scalable solar technologies and balancing time between experimental work and data analysis. Collaboration across multidisciplinary teams, including material scientists and electrical engineers, is essential to address technical hurdles and optimize system performance. Additionally, these engineers must stay updated on evolving industry standards and funding opportunities while effectively communicating complex findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

What does a PhD solar engineer do?

A PhD Solar Engineer is a specialized professional who conducts advanced research and development in solar energy technologies. They work on designing, testing, and improving solar panels, photovoltaic systems, and other renewable energy solutions. Their work often involves publishing scientific papers, leading research teams, and collaborating with industry partners to innovate and implement sustainable solar solutions. With a doctoral degree, they typically focus on solving complex technical challenges and advancing the field of solar engineering.
What cities in Texas are hiring for Phd Solar Engineer jobs? Cities in Texas with the most Phd Solar Engineer job openings:

Mechanical Engineer, Staff to Principal level

Enphase Energy

Austin, TX

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago


Enphase Energy rating

6.6

Company rating: 6.6 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

129th of 156 rated electronics manufacturers


Job description

Enphase Energy is a global energy technology company and a leading provider of solar, battery, and electric vehicle charging products. Founded in 2006, our innovative microinverter technology revolutionized solar power, making it a safer, more reliable, and scalable energy source. Today, the Enphase Energy System enables users to make, use, save, and sell their own power. Enphase is also one of the most successful and innovative clean energy companies in the world, with more than 80 million products shipped across 160 countries.

Join our dynamic teams designing and developing next-gen energy technologies and help drive a sustainable future!

About the role

The Enphase Power Systems Innovation team in the CTO's office is responsible for defining, prototyping, and supporting Enphase's Solid State Transformer products. The team is an integrated, multi-disciplinary group looking for motivated individuals who can contribute and collaborate closely with the team to deliver innovative solutions. As a team member, you will solve some of the most exciting problems in the energy space and help shape the direction of our products. We are looking for a Mechanical Design Engineer with a strong background in the mechanical design and integration of electrical equipment - including busbars, wire harnesses, electronic board packaging, and connectors - who will own the integration of the support and control system for Enphase's first-generation Solid State Transformer product.

What You Will Do

  • Design high-current busbar assemblies - including conductor sizing, layout routing, thermal management, and mechanical mounting
  • Own wire harness design and routing, including connector selection, terminal specification, cable management, strain relief, and harness drawing packages
  • Design electronic board packaging solutions - including enclosures, mounting hardware, EMI shielding, thermal interface management, and serviceability provisions
  • Specify and design electrical connectors and interconnect systems, ensuring reliable mating, adequate current ratings, and compatibility with assembly and service workflows
  • Perform electrical insulation coordination for internal mechanical components, including creepage and clearance analysis, material selection for dielectric performance, and compliance with relevant voltage class requirements
  • Ensure field-replaceable boards are accessible and documented with clear service procedures
  • Ensure the design is manufacturable- selecting appropriate fabrication methods, tolerancing for producibility, and collaborating with contract manufacturing partners to ensure smooth production ramp
  • Perform structural and thermal analysis (hand calculations and FEA/CFD) on busbars, mounting structures, and packaging assemblies to validate performance under rated and fault conditions
  • Produce 2D drawings and 3D CAD models, evaluate parts, and collaborate with internal stakeholders, suppliers, and contract manufacturing partners to bring your design to market
  • Specify key functional and performance requirements; design and execute verification test plans
  • Complete documentation for design, testing, and analysis
  • Hands-on fabrication of electromechanical assemblies and prototypes
  • Mentor junior staff

Who You Are and What You Bring

  • Job title and level determined by candidate experience:
  • Staff Engineer:BS + 8 yrs | MS + 6 yrs |PhD + 3 yrs: Sr. Staff Engineer:BS + 12 yrs | MS + 8 yrs| PhD + 5 yrs: Principal Engineer:BS + 15 yrs | MS + 12 yrs |PhD + 8 yrs
  • Candidates with greater experience are strongly encouraged to apply
  • Ability to solve problems independently and work effectively on early-stage product development efforts with ambiguous requirements and tasks
  • Ability to take ownership of development tasks and manage various high-importance tasks simultaneously
  • Significant experience in the mechanical design and integration of electrical support equipment for power electronics, power conversion, or analogous high-power electrical products
  • Strong proficiency in busbar design - conductor sizing, laminated busbar stack-ups, insulation systems, thermal rise calculations, and mechanical mounting methods
  • Demonstrated experience in wire harness design - routing, connector and terminal selection, wire gauge specification, and harness drawing creation
  • Experience designing mechanical packaging for electronic boards, including thermal management, shock and vibration isolation, EMI considerations, and board-level interconnects
  • Expertise in electrical insulation coordination - creepage and clearance analysis per IEC 60664-1 or equivalent, selection of insulating materials, and design practices for medium-voltage (>1 kV) environments
  • Strong understanding of connector systems for power and signal applications - contact ratings, environmental sealing, keying, and mating cycle durability
  • Demonstrated ability to design for manufacturing - tolerance analysis, process selection (sheet metal fabrication, CNC machining, injection molding, stamping, die casting), and close collaboration with manufacturing partners
  • Expertise in various joining techniques such as welding, adhesives, riveting, fastened joints, and press-fit connections
  • High proficiency with an enterprise CAD package (SolidWorks preferred)
  • Good communication and documentation skills
  • Strong hands-on mechanical prototyping skills

Additional Desired Skills

  • Proficiency with FEA/CFD simulation (thermal, structural, electromagnetic)
  • Experience with high-voltage (>1 kV) power conversion or switchgear equipment
  • Familiarity with common standards for electrical equipment (UL, IEC, NEMA, IEEE)
  • Experience with thermal management of power electronics assemblies (heat sink design, airflow path design, thermal interface materials, CFD)
  • Familiarity with EMC/EMI design practices for power electronics packaging
  • Experience with laminated or flexible busbar design and fabrication

Work Location

Austin, TX

The base pay range for this position is $110,000 to $183,000 per year. This salary range may be modified in the future. The successful candidate's starting pay will be determined based on job-related skills, experience, education or training, work location, and market conditions. This position is also eligible for bonus, equity, and benefits.

#SST

Employment Type: Full Time Employee (Experienced)

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