Solar Performance Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

QE Solar is one of the nation's largest independent solar and BESS operations and maintenance providers, with over 15 years of operating experience. We manage 10 GW of solar and 7.5 GWh of BESS across 44 states, supporting asset owners with multi-hundred MW utility solar projects and large standalone BESS systems. We’re pure‑play O&M. That focus means our entire organization is built around one thing: keeping solar and storage assets running well. Our technicians carry broad OEM certifications, and our in‑house capabilities span MV/HV electrical, vegetation management, engineering, and capital improvements, to streamline asset management for project owners.

QE Solar is seeking a Solar Field Engineer who wants to build a long‑term career in renewable energy through hands‑on experience with commercial, industrial, and utility‑scale solar PV and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).

This is not a traditional desk‑based engineering position.

Our Field Solar Engineers work directly with renewable energy assets, gaining exposure to the equipment, electrical infrastructure, controls, performance data, troubleshooting processes, and operational challenges that keep solar and energy storage facilities performing at their best.

The Field Solar Engineer provides ongoing engineering and technical support for multiple renewable energy sites. Responsibilities include system diagnostics, troubleshooting, preventative maintenance support, performance optimization, technical assessments, commissioning support, equipment testing, documentation review, and resolution of complex field issues.

You will work alongside experienced engineers, technical leaders, operations teams, project managers, OEMs, clients, and other renewable energy professionals while developing expertise across PV arrays, inverters, medium‑voltage systems, BESS, DAS/SCADA, electrical systems, and renewable energy operations.

For engineers who enjoy solving problems, being onsite, understanding how systems actually operate, and seeing the direct impact of their work, this role provides an opportunity to develop a broad renewable‑energy skill set while building a career within QE Solar.

Why Build Your Engineering Career at QE Solar?

QE Solar views the Field Solar Engineer position as more than an individual role—it can be a launching point for a career across the renewable energy industry.

Field experience provides engineers with firsthand knowledge of how renewable energy assets are designed, constructed, commissioned, operated, maintained, optimized, and restored. As engineers develop technical expertise and demonstrate strong performance, opportunities may exist to grow into specialized or leadership positions across QE Solar.

Potential career paths may include:

Engineering & Technical Services

• Senior Field Solar Engineer
• Electrical Engineering
• Solar / PV Engineering
• Performance Engineering
• Reliability Engineering
• Technical Services
• Engineering leadership

Operations & Field Leadership

• Technical Lead
• Regional Operations
• Field Operations Management
• O&M Management
• Technical Training
• Operations Leadership

Project & Program Management

• Project Management
• Program Management
• Technical Project Management
• Client-facing project leadership

Asset & Performance Management

• Asset Management
• System Performance & Optimization
• Reliability and Compliance
• Data / SCADA Analysis

QE Solar encourages employees to develop expertise beyond their initial role. Through field exposure, technical training, mentorship, cross‑functional collaboration, and increased responsibility, Field Solar Engineers can build the experience necessary to pursue multiple career paths throughout the organization.

Field Engineering & Technical Support

• Provide engineering and technical support for commercial, industrial, and utility‑scale solar PV and BESS facilities.
• Diagnose, troubleshoot, and support the repair of system and equipment failures at operating renewable energy sites.
• Identify existing and potential conditions that may negatively impact system performance, reliability, safety, or availability.
• Develop and implement practical solutions to technical issues encountered by field teams.
• Support troubleshooting and maintenance of PV arrays, inverters, BESS equipment, medium‑voltage systems, transformers, switchgear, monitoring systems, communications equipment, and associated balance‑of‑system components.
• Perform or support equipment testing, inspections, diagnostics, commissioning activities, preventative maintenance, corrective maintenance, and system restoration.
• Assist with complex technical escalations requiring engineering‑level analysis.
• Provide remote troubleshooting and technical analysis through monitoring, DAS, SCADA, and other software platforms.
• Evaluate system performance and identify opportunities to improve production, reliability, and equipment availability.

Engineering Analysis & Documentation

• Review electrical drawings, single‑line diagrams, construction documents, equipment specifications, commissioning records, O&M documentation, and technical reports.
• Evaluate construction, operational, maintenance, and equipment‑related issues.
• Perform PV site assessments and support system optimization initiatives.
• Review project documentation to identify design, construction, operational, or compliance concerns.
• Prepare detailed service reports, technical findings, recommendations, and supporting documentation.
• Document emergency repairs, equipment modifications, equipment failures, and improvement investigations.
• Maintain accurate project and site documentation.

Solar & BESS Operations

• Support the ongoing operation and maintenance of large‑scale commercial, industrial, and utility solar PV systems.
• Support Battery Energy Storage Systems and associated electrical infrastructure.
• Participate in preventative maintenance, corrective maintenance, troubleshooting, repairs, and operational activities.
• Assist with equipment warranty claims and coordinate technical matters with manufacturers and vendors.
• Work with OEMs to troubleshoot equipment issues and determine appropriate repair or replacement strategies.
• Support system commissioning, recommissioning, and performance restoration when required.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

Work closely with QE Solar teams across:

• Field Operations
• Operations & Maintenance
• Asset Management
• Project Management
• Safety
• Technical Services
• Performance / Monitoring
• Business and client‑facing teams

Communicate with technical leads, project managers, clients, subcontractors, equipment manufacturers, developers, site hosts, investors, and asset owners to support timely resolution of technical and operational matters.

Participate in project meetings, technical discussions, training programs, safety orientations, and industry events as required.

Safety & Compliance

Safety is fundamental to every QE Solar project.

The Field Solar Engineer is expected to maintain a safe, event‑free work environment and comply with QE Solar, client, OSHA, NFPA, and project‑specific safety requirements.

Responsibilities include:

• Following Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures.
• Following electrical safe‑work practices.
• Following applicable NFPA 70E requirements.
• Identifying and communicating unsafe conditions.
• Supporting corrective actions for safety or compliance concerns.
• Following all QE Solar and client safety policies, procedures, and work practices.

Required Qualifications Education

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Renewable Energy Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.

Experience

QE Solar welcomes both early‑career engineers and candidates with previous renewable‑energy experience.

Candidates may have:

• 0-3+ years of engineering, technical, field service, construction, project, or renewable‑energy experience.
• Internship, co‑op, military, laboratory, construction, field engineering, electrical, solar, or related hands‑on technical experience.
• Experience or academic exposure to electrical and/or mechanical systems.

Veterans and candidates with relevant military technical experience are strongly encouraged to apply.

Technical Knowledge & Skills

Successful candidates should possess or be interested in developing knowledge of:

• Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
• Electrical power systems
• Commercial and utility‑scale renewable energy systems
• Electrical troubleshooting
• National Electrical Code (NEC)
• OSHA safe‑work practices
• Electrical drawings and single‑line diagrams
• Mechanical and electrical systems
• PV system performance and optimization
• SCADA and monitoring platforms
• Preventative and corrective maintenance
• Site assessment and technical analysis

Experience with 600V-1500V systems is preferred.

Knowledge of NEC, IEEE, OSHA, and NFPA 70E requirements is highly valued.

Preferred Technical Experience

Experience or familiarity with any of the following is a plus:

• Battery Energy Storage Systems
• Medium‑voltage electrical systems
• Transformers
• Switchgear
• SCADA / DAS platforms
• Equipment performance analysis
• Thermography
• Networking and communications
• RS485
• Modbus
• TCP/IP
• Renewable‑energy asset management

Preferred Certifications

The following certifications are beneficial but are not required unless otherwise specified for a particular assignment:

• NABCEP certification
• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30
• NFPA 70E training
• CPR / First Aid
• Level I Thermography certification

Experience or certifications with manufacturers such as Sungrow, Power Electronics, Solectria, BYD, or similar renewable‑energy equipment manufacturers are a plus.

What We're Looking For

Beyond technical ability, successful QE Solar Field Solar Engineers demonstrate:

• A strong interest in building a career in renewable energy
• Curiosity and a desire to understand how systems work
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting abilities
• A hands‑on approach to engineering
• Exceptional work ethic and personal accountability
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational and follow‑through skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Willingness to learn from experienced engineers and field professionals
• Ability to communicate technical concepts to both technical and nontechnical stakeholders
• Flexibility to support changing project and client priorities
• Candor, transparency, and professionalism
• Commitment to client, team, and organizational success
• Interest in taking on increasing levels of technical and leadership responsibility

Physical Requirements

This position combines engineering responsibilities with hands‑on field work.

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, including, with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Work outdoors for extended periods.
• Work safely in varying and occasionally extreme weather conditions.
• Walk and work on uneven terrain.
• Stand, sit, walk, and drive for prolonged periods.
• Climb ladders and access renewable‑energy equipment safely.
• Bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and work around electrical and mechanical equipment.
• Lift and carry equipment and materials consistent with the requirements of assigned field activities.
• Wear required personal protective equipment.

Specific physical requirements may vary based on project and assignment.

Additional Requirements

• Current and valid driver's license.
• Ability to meet QE Solar driving and insurance requirements.
• Ability to travel to project sites as required.
• Ability to successfully complete required background and motor vehicle screenings.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule when necessary to support outages, emergencies, commissioning activities, client requirements, or critical project needs.

This is a field‑focused engineering position.

Work will be performed across renewable‑energy facilities, client sites, outdoor environments, remote locations, and occasionally home or office environments.

Candidates should be comfortable balancing hands‑on field engineering with technical analysis, documentation, remote troubleshooting, and cross‑functional project support.

Grow With QE Solar

Renewable energy systems are becoming larger, smarter, and more technically complex—and QE Solar is looking for engineers who want to grow with the industry.

As a Field Solar Engineer, you will have the opportunity to develop real‑world expertise across solar PV, BESS, electrical systems, commissioning, troubleshooting, performance optimization, operations, and asset management.

Whether your long‑term goal is to become a Senior Engineer, Technical Specialist, Project Manager, Operations Leader, Asset Management professional, or Engineering Leader, the experience gained in the field can provide a strong technical foundation for continued growth across QE Solar.

Build your technical expertise. Understand the assets from the ground up. Grow your renewable‑energy career with QE Solar.

QE Solar offers incredible benefits! We enjoy:

• 100% paid employee premium on health benefits; additional dependents at low costs and great plans for Health, Dental, Vision, FSA or HSA
• Wellbeing and Employee Assistance