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Solar Development Associate Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

TerraForm Power

Technician 2, Solar

Bakersfield, CA · On-site

$39 - $45/hr

... the development of our employees and supporting the communities where we operate through ... Qualifications * Associate's degree in Electrical Technology or equivalent experience.

RNWBL

O&M Solar Tech II

Blythe, CA · On-site

NABCEP Associate or NCCER certification * Familiarity with inverter troubleshooting and SCADA ... Continuous Professional Development Support #INDI

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Solar Development Associate information

What is a solar development associate?

Solar Development Associates are professionals who support the planning, permitting, and development of solar energy projects. They assist with site selection, environmental assessments, regulatory compliance, and project coordination. Their work involves collaborating with engineers, landowners, government agencies, and other stakeholders to move solar projects from inception through construction. Solar Development Associates play a key role in ensuring that projects are feasible, compliant, and completed on schedule.

What are some typical challenges faced by solar development associates during the permitting and site selection process?

Solar Development Associates often encounter challenges such as navigating complex permitting regulations, securing land agreements, and addressing community concerns. Each project may involve coordinating with local authorities, utility companies, and stakeholders to ensure compliance and smooth progress. Successful associates need strong problem-solving and communication skills to manage these hurdles and keep projects on track. Being proactive and detail-oriented is crucial when dealing with evolving policies or unexpected site constraints.

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

To thrive as a Solar Development Associate, you need a solid understanding of renewable energy markets, project management, and site assessment, often backed by a degree in engineering, environmental science, or a related field. Familiarity with GIS mapping tools, permitting software, and knowledge of regulatory frameworks are typically required. Strong communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills help you navigate stakeholder relationships and address project challenges. These skills and qualifications are crucial to successfully initiating, evaluating, and advancing solar projects in a competitive and evolving industry.

What is the difference between Solar Development Associate vs Solar Project Coordinator?

AspectSolar Development AssociateSolar Project Coordinator
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering, environmental science, or related field; knowledge of solar industryBachelor's degree; project management experience; familiarity with solar projects
Work EnvironmentOffice-based with site visits; collaboration with development teamsOffice and field work; coordinating project activities
Employer & Industry UsageSolar developers, renewable energy firmsSolar project management teams, EPC contractors
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The Solar Development Associate focuses on early-stage project development, including site assessment and permitting, while the Solar Project Coordinator manages project execution, scheduling, and coordination during construction. Both roles require related skills and work within the solar industry, but they differ in their primary responsibilities and project phases.

Is it hard to get a job in solar?

Getting a job as a Solar Development Associate can be competitive but is achievable with relevant skills such as project management, knowledge of solar technology, and sometimes a background in engineering or environmental science. Entry-level positions may require some experience or certifications, but the industry is growing and offers opportunities for those with the right qualifications.

What are popular job titles related to Solar Development Associate jobs in California?

For Solar Development Associate jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Solar Development Associate jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Solar Development Associate jobs in California are:

Solar Development Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Solar Development Associate job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution.

Development Engineering Supervisor

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

First Solar
Manufacturing • 5 - 10K employees
Learn more about First Solarexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 28 days ago

First Solar rating

6.6

Company rating: 6.6 out of 10

Based on 77 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description


First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.
Basic Job Functions:
  • Lead Process Development laboratory operations supporting technology development, pilot process evaluation, and advanced solar cell research activities. Direct and develop a team of technicians responsible for executing experimental work, operating development equipment, maintaining laboratory readiness, and supporting rapid technology learning cycles.
  • Serve as the operational leader between Process Development engineers, equipment engineering, metrology, EHS, and laboratory technicians to ensure safe, repeatable, and efficient experimental execution. Drive operational systems that improve experimental quality, accelerate learning cycles, maximize equipment availability, and increase the effectiveness of technology development programs.
  • Translate engineering objectives into robust technician-executable procedures, develop technician technical capability, and establish execution discipline required to support evolving technologies, changing priorities, and complex development activities.

Education/Experience:
  • Associate's degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 15 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer I at First Solar.
  • Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 5 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer I at First Solar.
  • Minimum 5 years of experience supporting semiconductor, photovoltaic, thin-film, advanced manufacturing, or technology development laboratories.
  • Demonstrated experience supporting research, process development, pilot-line, or advanced engineering environments where operating procedures, technologies, and priorities change frequently.
  • Experience leading technicians supporting experimental fabrication, metrology, characterization, or development process equipment.

Required Skills/Competencies:
  • Critical Communication: Ability to effectively communicate technical priorities, operational risks, and experimental execution concerns across technicians, engineering, management, and support organizations.
  • Experimental Execution Excellence: Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain execution discipline required for repeatable and reproducible experimental results. Strong understanding of procedural compliance, operational variation reduction, and technician-driven process consistency.
  • Technology Development Support: Ability to work effectively within a research and development environment where priorities and process flows evolve rapidly based on technology needs. Capable of translating engineering intent into practical operational execution plans and technician work instructions.
  • Technical Leadership: Working knowledge of semiconductor, thin-film, solar cell, vacuum process, wet chemistry, thermal processing, laser processing, metrology, or advanced laboratory systems. Capable of evaluating operational challenges associated with development equipment and partnering with engineering teams to improve performance, reliability, and experimental throughput.
  • Practical Common Sense: Strong situational judgment to make fast, safe, and logical decisions in a high-hazard, fast-paced environment.
  • First-Line Troubleshooting and Drive Equipment Uptime: experienced guiding operation crew members through first level tool diagnose and quick repair. Capable driving experienced equipment maintenance/support crew on advanced troubleshooting and major repair.

Essential Responsibilities:
  • Daily Supervision: Lead daily execution of technology development activities by aligning technician resources, laboratory capacity, equipment availability, and operational priorities with Process Development objectives.
  • Workflow Optimization: Continuously improve laboratory execution systems to accelerate technology learning cycles while maintaining experimental quality, safety, and data integrity.
  • SOP Development and Execution Discipline: Partner with Process Development engineers to convert development processes into detailed operational procedures suitable for technician execution. Establish, maintain, and continuously improve operational standards that ensure repeatable and reproducible experimental results.
  • Experimental Quality Ownership: Own technician execution quality for development activities by monitoring procedure adherence, identifying sources of operational variation, and implementing corrective actions that improve experimental repeatability.
  • Technology Transfer Support: Support introduction of new technologies, equipment, materials, and experimental processes into laboratory operations by developing training plans, operational controls, and technician qualification requirements.
  • Equipment Reliability: Drive equipment readiness and operational reliability for development laboratories. Lead first-level troubleshooting efforts, coordinate advanced problem-solving activities, and partner with equipment engineering teams to minimize development downtime.
  • Engineering Partnership: Act as the primary operational partner to Process Development engineers by providing feedback regarding technician observations, process execution challenges, equipment limitations, and opportunities to improve experimental throughput and execution quality.
  • Laboratory Capability Development: Develop long-term laboratory capabilities by building technician technical expertise, improving training systems, establishing qualification standards, and implementing operational best practices that support future technology roadmaps.
  • Success Metrics: Success in this role is measured through:
    • Experimental execution quality and repeatability
    • Technology development cycle time
    • Equipment availability and laboratory readiness
    • Technician technical capability development
    • Successful deployment of new technologies and processes
    • Safety performance
    • Cross-functional engineering satisfaction
    • Operational support of Process Development objectives
  • Other duties as assigned.
  • Job description subject to change at any time.

Reporting Relationships:
  • Reports to Sr Manage of Process Development
  • May have direct reports.

Travel:
  • Up to 10% domestic and international

Estimated Salary Range:
  • 89,440 USD per year- 127,400 USD per year

US Physical Requirements:
Hybrid Physical Requirements:
  • Will sit, stand or walk short distances for up to the entire duration of a shift.
  • Will climb stairs on an occasional basis.
  • Will lift up to 27 pounds on an occasional basis, according to work instruction.
  • Will push or pull up to 27 pounds of force on an occasional basis.
  • Will push or pull up to 10 pounds of force on a frequent basis.
  • Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects repetitively on a frequent basis.
  • 20/40 vision in each eye (with or without correction) and the ability to distinguish between red, yellow, and green is required.
  • May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis.
  • May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis.
  • Must be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures.
  • Ability to wear personal protective equipment is required (including, but not limited to; steel toed shoes, cut resistant gloves, jackets, aprons &/or arm guards, safety glasses, hearing protection).
  • All associates working on the production floor may be required to wear a respirator at any given time and thus, the ability to wear a respirator is a condition of employment and continued employment (requires little or no facial hair).

Potential candidates will meet the education and experience requirements provided on the above job description and excel in completing the listed responsibilities for this role. All candidates receiving an offer of employment must successfully complete a background check and any other tests that may be required.

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