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Solar Project Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Planted Solar

Civil Project Engineer

Oakland, CA · On-site

$115 - $150/hr

Structural Project Engineer Oakland, CA Full-time First, the good news: The world now has over 2 ... The world must build 3 terawatts of new solar capacity every year for the next 25 years to meet ...

Planted Solar

Structural Project Engineer

Oakland, CA · On-site

$115 - $150/hr

Structural Project Engineer Oakland, CA Full-time First, the good news: The world now has over 2 ... The world must build 3 terawatts of new solar capacity every year for the next 25 years to meet ...

Planted Solar

Structural Project Engineer

Oakland, CA · On-site

$115K - $150K/yr

Structural Project Engineer Oakland, CA Full-time First, the good news: The world now has over 2 ... The world must build 3 terawatts of new solar capacity every year for the next 25 years to meet ...

Planted Solar

Civil Project Engineer

Oakland, CA · On-site

$115K - $150K/yr

Civil Project Engineer Oakland, CA Full-time First, the good news: The world now has over 2 ... The world must build 3 terawatts of new solar capacity every year for the next 25 years to meet ...

Planted Solar

Civil Project Engineer

Oakland, CA

$115K - $150K/yr

Civil Project Engineer Oakland, CA Full-time First, the good news: The world now has over 2 ... The world must build 3 terawatts of new solar capacity every year for the next 25 years to meet ...

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All JobsSolar Project Developer JobsSolar Project Developer Jobs in California

Solar Project Developer information

See California salary details

$46.4K

$105.7K

$187.5K

How much do solar project developer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for solar project developer in California is $105,721.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,900.00 and $123,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a solar project developer?

A Solar Project Developer is responsible for overseeing the development of solar energy projects from inception to completion. This includes site selection, permitting, financing, and coordinating with stakeholders such as landowners, government agencies, and engineering teams. They ensure projects meet regulatory requirements, financial goals, and technical specifications. Strong project management, negotiation, and technical knowledge are essential for success in this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a solar project developer?

To thrive as a Solar Project Developer, you need a solid background in renewable energy, project management, and financial analysis, often supported by a degree in engineering, environmental science, or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard project modeling software, permitting systems, and certifications such as NABCEP are highly valuable. Excellent negotiation, communication, and problem-solving skills distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies are vital for managing complex projects, ensuring regulatory compliance, and successfully coordinating with diverse stakeholders across the solar development process.

What are some common challenges faced by solar project developers in their day-to-day work?

Solar Project Developers frequently navigate complex regulatory requirements, manage multiple project timelines, and coordinate with diverse stakeholders, including landowners, government agencies, and utility companies. Balancing the technical, financial, and legal aspects of each project requires strong organizational and multitasking abilities. Adaptability is key, as unexpected permitting delays or changes in policy can significantly impact project progress. Support from a collaborative team and access to industry resources helps overcome these challenges and ensures projects run smoothly from inception to completion.

What are popular job titles related to Solar Project Developer jobs in California?

For Solar Project Developer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Solar Project Developer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Solar Project Developer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Solar Project Developer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Solar Project Developer job openings:

Solar Project Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Solar Project Developer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,721 per year, or $50.8 per hour.

Solar Project Site Design Technician

Orange County Solar Contracting Services Inc

Irvine, CA • On-site

$27 - $32/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

Solar Project Site Design Technician – Job Posting Description

About the Role

OC Solar is seeking an experienced Solar Project Site Design Technician to conduct detailed project-site assessments and develop practical field-based designs for solar photovoltaic, battery-storage, roofing, and related energy projects.

This is a hybrid field and technical-design position. The employee will inspect project sites, validate the sold scope, develop solar-array layouts, plan equipment locations and conduit routes, apply applicable NEC and local jurisdiction requirements, and provide Design, Engineering, Permitting, and Construction with the information needed to produce an accurate and constructible project plan.

The ideal candidate understands both how solar projects are designed and how they are installed in the field. This person must be technically capable, highly detail-oriented, comfortable interacting with customers, and able to safely work on roofs and in attics.

Key Responsibilities
  • Conduct residential, commercial, and other assigned solar-project site assessments.
  • Measure, chalk, photograph, and document roof planes using approved manual, digital, aerial, and photographic methods.
  • Evaluate roof type, pitch, condition, shading, obstructions, setbacks, access pathways, attic framing, structural conditions, and installation constraints.
  • Develop proposed solar-array layouts based on usable roof area, equipment specifications, shading, fire-access requirements, customer objectives, and applicable jurisdictional standards.
  • Inspect and document utility meters, main service panels, subpanels, existing solar systems, battery systems, EV chargers, generators, and related electrical equipment.
  • Open or remove electrical-panel covers or dead fronts for observation and documentation when trained, authorized, properly equipped, and able to do so safely.
  • Develop proposed locations for inverters, batteries, gateways, load centers, disconnects, combiner panels, rapid-shutdown equipment, and related components.
  • Plan practical conduit and wiring routes using exterior, attic, garage, crawlspace, underground, or other appropriate pathways.
  • Identify potential main-panel upgrades, service modifications, interconnection issues, trenching, roofing work, structural concerns, and other project-scope changes.
  • Apply working knowledge of the National Electrical Code, utility requirements, manufacturer specifications, fire-access standards, and local Authority Having Jurisdiction requirements.
  • Compare the sales proposal and customer expectations against actual site conditions and promptly escalate material discrepancies.
  • Explain proposed layouts, equipment locations, routing, aesthetic impacts, and construction considerations to customers.
  • Obtain customer acknowledgment of proposed equipment locations when required, while explaining that final designs remain subject to technical, utility, permitting, and jurisdictional approval.
  • Complete required photographs, measurements, sketches, layouts, checklists, design notes, and electronic documentation accurately and on time.
  • Coordinate with Sales, Design, Engineering, Permitting, Roofing, Electrical, Construction, and Operations.
  • Participate in project-quality reviews and incorporate installation feedback into future site assessments and designs.
  • Protect customer property and maintain professional conduct at every project location.
  • Follow all company safety policies, fall-protection requirements, electrical-safety procedures, and applicable Cal/OSHA standards.

This position develops project layouts and field-design solutions within established company standards and the employee’s training and authority. It does not independently stamp engineering plans, approve structural calculations, guarantee permitting or utility approval, or perform electrical installation or repair unless the employee is separately trained, qualified, assigned, and authorized.

Required Qualifications
  • At least two years of relevant experience in solar design, solar installation, site surveying, battery storage, electrical work, roofing, construction, permitting, or a related technical field.
  • Experience conducting detailed solar-project site assessments.
  • Ability to develop solar-array layouts, equipment-placement plans, and conduit-routing concepts.
  • Working knowledge of the NEC as it applies to solar photovoltaic systems, battery-storage systems, electrical-service equipment, rapid shutdown, disconnects, conductor routing, and interconnection.
  • Familiarity with Southern California utilities, AHJs, fire-access requirements, and permitting practices.
  • Ability to read and interpret preliminary layouts, plan sets, single-line diagrams, manufacturer specifications, and electrical-equipment information.
  • Ability to identify roofing, structural, electrical, code, safety, customer-scope, and installation constraints.
  • Proficiency with mobile applications, digital photography, cloud-based systems, field-measurement tools, and solar-design software.
  • Strong technical judgment, attention to detail, organization, documentation, problem-solving, and customer-communication skills.
  • Ability to work independently, manage multiple appointments, and communicate effectively with internal project teams.
  • Valid California driver’s license and a driving record acceptable under company insurance requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Three or more years of solar-site assessment, solar-design, installation, electrical, or battery-storage experience.
  • Experience with residential and commercial solar projects.
  • Experience designing battery-storage and backup-power systems.
  • Knowledge of main-panel upgrades, electrical-service modifications, load centers, and backup-load planning.
  • Experience using AutoCAD, Aurora Solar, Scanifly, Solo, OpenSolar, SiteCapture, or similar platforms.
  • Experience with Tesla Powerwall or comparable battery-storage systems.
  • OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification.
  • FAA Remote Pilot Certificate or drone-survey experience.
  • NABCEP, manufacturer, electrical, roofing, inspection, or other relevant technical training.
  • Bilingual English and Spanish communication skills.
Physical and Work Environment Requirements

This position requires the ability to perform the following essential functions, with or without reasonable accommodation:

  • Lift, carry, position, and transport ladders, tools, PPE, and survey equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
  • Climb and work from ladders.
  • Work at heights and on pitched roofs when conditions permit safe access.
  • Walk, stand, kneel, crouch, crawl, bend, reach, balance, and climb throughout the workday.
  • Enter attics, garages, crawlspaces, electrical areas, and other limited-access spaces when necessary and safely accessible.
  • Work outdoors in heat, sunlight, cold, wind, dust, and changing weather conditions.
  • Work around roofing materials, insulation, electrical equipment, construction environments, insects, animals, and other common property conditions.
  • Use fall-protection equipment, cameras, mobile devices, measuring tools, and other assigned survey equipment.
  • Drive for extended periods and travel between multiple customer or project locations.

Employees must evaluate roof, ladder, attic, electrical, and weather conditions before proceeding and must stop work when conditions are unsafe. Approved alternative survey methods must be used when direct access cannot be completed safely.

What Success Looks Like

Successful Solar Project Site Design Technicians provide complete, accurate, and constructible field designs that allow projects to proceed with minimal avoidable redesigns, return visits, change orders, or installation delays.

Performance will be evaluated based on:

  • Survey and design accuracy
  • Completeness and timeliness of documentation
  • Application of established NEC, AHJ, utility, and manufacturer requirements
  • Identification of sales-scope and field-condition discrepancies
  • First-pass acceptance by Design and Engineering
  • Reduction in avoidable installation changes and delays
  • Customer communication and property protection
  • Safety compliance
  • Effective coordination with internal teams
Compensation and Benefits

Hourly pay range: $27.00–$33.00 per hour

Compensation within the range will depend on relevant experience, technical knowledge, software proficiency, certifications, and ability to independently perform the full scope of the position.

OC Solar offers:

  • 4 Day – 10 Hour per Schedule (AWS) – You get a 3 day weekend every week
  • Medical, dental, vision insurance and additional benefits
  • Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
  • 401(k) plan with Company Contribution
  • Company vehicle or mileage arrangement where applicable
  • Company-provided PPE, tools, and survey equipment
  • Training and certification opportunities
  • Company perks and Company events
Equal Employment Opportunity

OC Solar is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, reproductive health decision-making, or any other status protected by applicable law.