ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Solar Development Engineer Jobs in Santa Ana, CA

Starpath

Senior Test Engineer - Space Solar

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$145K - $180K/yr

Senior Test Engineer - Space Solar Hardware Position Details Location: Los Angeles (Hawthorne), CA ... Define test strategy, requirements, and acceptance criteria for development, qualification, and ...

K2 Space

Head of Solar

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$200K - $250K/yr

Getting that right, at scale, is one of the most consequential engineering challenges in the company. As Head of Solar, you'll own it entirely. From early-stage technology development and module ...

K2 Space

Head of Solar

Los Angeles, CA

Getting that right, at scale, is one of the most consequential engineering challenges in the company. As Head of Solar, you'll own it entirely. From early-stage technology development and module ...

K2 Space

Head of Solar

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Getting that right, at scale, is one of the most consequential engineering challenges in the company. As Head of Solar, you'll own it entirely. From early-stage technology development and module ...

previous page

Showing results 41-60

All JobsSolar Development Engineer JobsSolar Development Engineer Jobs in Santa Ana, CA

Solar Development Engineer information

See Santa Ana, CA salary details

$51K

$100.1K

$159.7K

How much do solar development engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for solar development engineer in Santa Ana, CA is $100,057.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,700.00 and $110,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a solar development engineer do?

A Solar Development Engineer is responsible for designing, planning, and overseeing the development of solar energy projects. They evaluate site feasibility, select appropriate solar technologies, and ensure compliance with regulations and safety standards. Their work also involves coordinating with project managers, construction teams, and regulatory agencies to bring solar projects from conception to completion. Additionally, they analyze data on energy production and system performance to optimize efficiency. This role is essential for advancing renewable energy initiatives and supporting the transition to sustainable power sources.

What are the typical collaboration points between a solar development engineer and other project stakeholders during a solar project lifecycle?

Solar Development Engineers frequently collaborate with a variety of stakeholders, including project managers, environmental consultants, utility representatives, and permitting authorities. Throughout the project lifecycle, they work closely with design teams to optimize system layouts, support permitting processes by providing technical documentation, and communicate with construction teams to address engineering challenges during installation. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as the engineer often serves as a technical liaison, ensuring that all parties are aligned on project goals, timelines, and compliance requirements.

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

To thrive as a Solar Development Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering (electrical, mechanical, or renewable energy), project management, and a thorough understanding of solar technologies, usually supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with software like AutoCAD, PVsyst, and project management tools, as well as knowledge of permitting processes and industry standards, is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are important soft skills for collaborating with cross-functional teams and stakeholders. These skills ensure successful project planning, technical accuracy, and the efficient development of solar energy projects from concept to completion.

What is the difference between Solar Development Engineer vs Solar Project Manager?

AspectSolar Development EngineerSolar Project Manager
CredentialsBachelor's in engineering, renewable energy certificationsBachelor's in engineering, project management certifications
Work EnvironmentDesign, technical analysis, site assessmentProject planning, team coordination, stakeholder communication
Industry UsageDesign and technical development of solar projectsOverseeing project execution from start to finish

While both roles are integral to solar projects, the Solar Development Engineer focuses on technical design and site analysis, whereas the Solar Project Manager oversees project execution, timelines, and stakeholder communication. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the solar industry.

What are popular job titles related to Solar Development Engineer jobs in Santa Ana, CA?

For Solar Development Engineer jobs in Santa Ana, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities near Santa Ana, CA are hiring for Solar Development Engineer jobs?

Cities near Santa Ana, CA with the most Solar Development Engineer job openings:

Solar Development Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Solar Development Engineer job openings in Santa Ana, CA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 3% Temporary. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,057 per year, or $48.1 per hour.

Senior Manufacturing Engineer - Space Solar

Starpath

Hawthorne, CA • On-site

$145K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

Senior Manufacturing Engineer - Space Solar
Position Details
Location: Los Angeles (Hawthorne), CA
Employment Type: Full-time
Department: Starlight Solar
Travel: Frequent
About Starpath
Starpath develops and manufactures the technologies that will enable humans to live on the Moon and Mars. Today, we are building robotic systems that locally produce the essential commodities a lunar civilization will require at extreme scale: water, power, and oxygen. Our ultimate goal is to build and operate a self-sustaining city on Mars.
The Role
The Starlight team is focused on dramatically improving space solar power to support Starpath's core mission and the greater space economy. Starlight manufactures the lowest cost and highest performance space solar ever, which will power the majority of new satellites built on Earth and all of Starpath's equipment on the Moon and Mars.
As a Senior Manufacturing Engineer on the Starlight team, you will own the most critical processes on our space solar manufacturing line - defining how we scale from prototype to high-rate flight production. You'll set the technical direction for process development, drive yield and rate across the line, and mentor a growing manufacturing engineering team.
Responsibilities
  • Own the technical strategy for key manufacturing processes - including cell-interconnect-coverglass (CIC) integration, interconnect welding, coverglass attach, and panel layup - from development through high-rate production
  • Drive yield, rate, and cost across the solar manufacturing line, setting and hitting performance targets that scale with the business
  • Design and qualify precision tooling and automated cells that protect fragile hardware, eliminate assembly error, and minimize cycle time
  • Lead automation initiatives for novel processes such as cell laydown, interconnect bonding, and coverglass placement to ensure repeatability at scale
  • Partner deeply with cell and panel design engineering to shape solar array architecture through design for manufacturing (DFM), driving decisions that materially reduce cost and complexity downstream
  • Stand up in-process inspection systems - electroluminescence imaging, IV/flash test, and automated optical inspection of weld and bond joints - to catch defects at the source and continuously improve first-pass yield
  • Lead the handoff of solar hardware from development into production, ensuring processes are documented, stable, and ready to scale
  • Mentor manufacturing engineers, set technical bar, and grow the team's capability as the line scales
  • Push back on unnecessary complexity - simplify specs, streamline workflows, and cut overhead wherever it doesn't add value

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's or advanced degree in aerospace, manufacturing, materials, mechanical, electrical, or a related engineering discipline
  • 6+ years of manufacturing and process design experience, with demonstrated ownership of processes from development through production
  • Track record of taking manufacturing processes from prototype through qualification and into stable, high-rate production
  • Experience leading technical work across cross-functional teams (design, quality, operations, supply chain)

Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's degree in an engineering discipline
  • Direct experience manufacturing photovoltaic hardware - solar cells, strings, panels, or arrays - ideally multi-junction (III-V) cells for space or other high-reliability applications
  • Deep expertise in cell interconnect joining processes such as parallel-gap resistance welding or tab bonding, including process development, qualification, and weld/bond inspection
  • Hands-on experience scaling a manufacturing line from low-rate prototype to high-rate production, including rate readiness reviews and yield improvement campaigns
  • Experience leading automation programs - defining requirements, selecting integrators, and qualifying automated cells for production use
  • Proficiency with coverglass attach, encapsulation, and adhesive/RTV bonding processes for solar hardware
  • Strong background in electrical characterization of solar cells and panels - LIV/flash testing, electroluminescence, and IV-curve analysis
  • Proficiency in FMEA, statistical process control (Cp/Cpk), and root-cause investigation methodologies
  • Experience using SQL or other data management tools to drive priorities and measure line performance
  • Prior experience mentoring or leading manufacturing engineers
  • Exposure to aerospace, space, or other high-reliability hardware environments

Compensation & Benefits
  • Location: Los Angeles (Hawthorne), CA
  • Competitive salary plus equity package; compensation scales with candidate experience
  • PTO & health/dental/vision coverage included

EAR REQUIREMENTS:
  • To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Equal Opportunity
Starpath is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Apply