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Solar Performance Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Solar Array Test Engineer

Redondo Beach, CA ยท On-site

$110K - $150K/yr

Solar Array Test Engineer Department: Assembly, Integration & Test Employment Type: Full Time ... Define and execute electrical performance tests for solar arrays, including I-V characterization ...

Project Engineer

Oakland, CA ยท On-site +1

$90K - $115K/yr

... optimizes solar performance, improves plant reliability and respects the natural landscape ... Position Overview We are seeking an experienced Project Engineer to lead the detailed design and ...

New

Civil Engineer

Oakland, CA ยท On-site +1

$130K - $165K/yr

... optimizes solar performance, improves plant reliability and respects the natural landscape ... We are currently seeking an experienced Civil Engineer to lead the implementation and development ...

Sr. Civil Engineer

Oakland, CA ยท On-site

$90K - $165K/yr

... optimizes solar performance, improves plant reliability and respects the natural landscape ... We are currently seeking an experienced Civil Engineer to lead the implementation and development ...

$125K - $155K/yr

TGE has partnered with engineering contractors and this position is responsible for engaging and ... battery and solar performance. * Work with O&M and optimizer partners to track, monitor, and ...

PMP Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA ยท On-site

$80K - $125K/yr

... performance and efficiency of solar power installations. Sungrow North America is known for its ... The Position: Join us as a PMP Engineer and play a crucial role in optimizing our preventive ...

PMP Engineer

Bakersfield, CA ยท On-site

$80K - $125K/yr

... performance and efficiency of solar power installations. Sungrow North America is known for its ... The Position: Join us as a PMP Engineer and play a crucial role in optimizing our preventive ...

PMP Engineer

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$80K - $125K/yr

... performance and efficiency of solar power installations. Sungrow North America is known for its ... The Position: Join us as a PMP Engineer and play a crucial role in optimizing our preventive ...

Solar Design Engineer

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$100K - $140K/yr

As a Solar Engineer, you will contribute to the design, manufacturing, testing, and deployment of ... performance degradation models across environment variations * Execute assembly-level acceptance ...

... optimizes solar performance, improves plant reliability and respects the natural landscape ... Position Overview We are seeking an experienced Project Engineer to lead the detailed design and ...

New

Solar Design Engineer

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$100K - $140K/yr

K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels ... As a Solar Engineer, you will contribute to the design, manufacturing, testing, and deployment of ...

Solar Design Engineer

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$100K - $140K/yr

K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels ... As a Solar Engineer, you will contribute to the design, manufacturing, testing, and deployment of ...

Test Engineer - Space Solar

Hawthorne, CA ยท On-site

$110K - $150K/yr

Test Engineer - Space Solar Position Details Location: Los Angeles (Hawthorne), CA Employment Type ... Starlight manufactures the lowest cost and highest performance space solar ever, which will power ...

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Solar Performance Engineer information

See California salary details

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$59

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How much do solar performance engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for solar performance engineer in California is $59.32, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48.65 and $67.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Solar Performance Engineer job?

A Solar Performance Engineer is responsible for analyzing, optimizing, and improving the efficiency of solar energy systems. They assess system performance, identify issues affecting energy output, and provide solutions to enhance overall efficiency. Their role includes monitoring real-time data, conducting site assessments, and collaborating with design and operations teams to ensure optimal performance. Additionally, they may use simulation tools to model energy production and evaluate system upgrades. This position is critical in maximizing the return on investment for solar projects and ensuring long-term reliability.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Solar Performance Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Solar Performance Engineer, you need a background in electrical, mechanical, or renewable energy engineering, with experience in data analysis and solar energy systems design. Proficiency in performance monitoring software, data analytics platforms, and industry-standard tools like PVsyst or SCADA systems is highly valuable, along with relevant certifications such as NABCEP. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication and collaboration skills distinguish top performers in this role. These skills are essential for optimizing solar plant efficiency, ensuring reliable system operations, and facilitating cross-functional teamwork.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a Solar Performance Engineer?

Solar Performance Engineers typically monitor and analyze the operational data from solar energy systems to ensure optimal performance and identify issues or inefficiencies. Their day-to-day tasks often include reviewing real-time data, preparing performance reports, investigating underperforming equipment, and working closely with field technicians to implement corrective actions. They may also participate in site visits, conduct root-cause analyses of faults, and collaborate with design and maintenance teams to recommend system improvements. This role requires balancing technical analysis with on-the-ground problem-solving to maximize energy production and support the broader goals of the solar operations team.

What are the most commonly searched types of Solar Performance Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Solar Performance Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Solar Performance Engineer jobs in California? For Solar Performance Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Solar Performance Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Solar Performance Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Solar Performance Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Solar Performance Engineer job openings:
Test Engineer (Solar Chemistry) - Space Solar

Test Engineer (Solar Chemistry) - Space Solar

Starpath

Hawthorne, CA โ€ข On-site

$125K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

Test Engineer - (Solar Chemistry) - Space Solar
Position Details
Location: Los Angeles (Hawthorne), CA
Employment Type: Full-time
Department: Starlight Solar
Travel: Occasional
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 Test Engineer - Solar Chemistry on the Starlight team, you will plan, build, and execute the tests that validate the materials and chemistry behind our perovskite solar cells. You'll stand up the test stands and characterization workflows that connect chemistry decisions to device-level performance, stability, and lifetime - from precursor formulations through finished cells.
Responsibilities
  • Execute test campaigns characterizing perovskite materials, films, and devices - including IV, EQE, photoluminescence, stability/degradation testing, and accelerated aging
  • Build and operate test setups for solution-processed thin-film characterization, including environmental control (moisture, oxygen, temperature, illumination)
  • Run stability and degradation tests under controlled environmental conditions (moisture, oxygen, thermal, UV, light soaking) and analyze degradation pathways
  • Partner with the materials and polymer chemistry teams to design experiments that connect chemistry, processing, and device performance
  • Build data acquisition and analysis workflows for high-throughput characterization across precursor formulations, deposition conditions, and interface treatments
  • Investigate test anomalies and degradation failures; partner with chemistry and manufacturing engineering to close issues
  • Write and execute test procedures and contribute to qualification reports
  • Push back on unnecessary complexity - simplify test setups, eliminate redundant verification, and cut overhead wherever it doesn't add value

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's or advanced degree in chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, applied physics, electrical engineering, or a related discipline
  • 1+ years of hands-on experience characterizing thin-film, optoelectronic, or photovoltaic materials and devices (internship and academic research applicable)
  • Hands-on experience with materials and device characterization techniques and the ability to interpret electrical, optical, and chemical data

Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's or PhD in a relevant discipline with research experience on perovskite, thin-film PV, or related optoelectronic materials
  • Direct experience with perovskite device characterization - IV, EQE, hysteresis analysis, photoluminescence, time-resolved spectroscopy
  • Hands-on experience with stability and degradation testing - moisture/oxygen control, thermal cycling, UV exposure, light soaking, accelerated aging
  • Familiarity with solution-processed deposition methods and the connection between processing conditions and device performance
  • Experience building or operating glovebox-based test setups and characterization workflows
  • Proficiency with LabVIEW, Python, MATLAB, or equivalent for data acquisition and analysis
  • Familiarity with statistical analysis of test data, design of experiments (DOE), or high-throughput screening workflows
  • Familiarity with aerospace test standards (e.g., GEVS, AIAA S-111/S-112 for solar cells) and accelerated life testing for space-grade hardware
  • 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. ยง 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. ยง 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.