Solar Project Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Nexamp is seeking to hire a Senior Solar Project Engineer to join it's Project Engineering team. In this role, you will lead engineering execution for complex solar and energy storage projects throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring technically sound, cost-effective, and constructible solutions. You will owns critical technical decisions, drives cross-functional alignment, and supports successful project delivery while advancing engineering standards, mentoring team members, and implementing continuous improvements.

We are accepting candidates across our hub offices of Boston, MA, Chicago, IL, and Washington DC offices where you will be hybrid. You will report to the Manager, Project Engineering.

• Lead engineering and design execution across the full project life cycle for complex PV and BESS assets. Coordinate internal teams and external engineers and vendors to deliver optimized engineering packages that meet project requirements and business objectives.
• Own project-level technical decision-making by identifying risks early, driving resolution of ambiguous design and construction issues. Constantly seek a balance between cost, schedule, constructability, and long-term asset performance.
• Direct cross-functional collaboration with Design, Development, Engineering, Estimation, Pre-Deployment, Deployment, Project Finance, and Grid Integration teams. Ensure that the basis of design and plan of record for project execution is understood by the entire project team.
• Lead development maintenance, and interpretation of plant performance models and related technical analyses for your assigned projects. Leverage models and analyses to evaluate project- and portfolio-level tradeoff decisions, value engineering opportunities, and focus areas for optimization.
• Review and approve key engineering deliverables, equipment selections, procurement inputs, RFIs, Submittals, construction drawing markups, and other project artifacts. Verify technical accuracy, constructability, and code compliance of all design specifications, and ensure that overall design spec will support project objectives.
• Mentor lower-level Project Engineering team members through technical coaching, design reviews, work shadowing, and direct practical feedback.
• Own department-level process improvement initiatives, standards updates, and tooling enhancements for Project Engineering. Partner with the Technical Strategy Team to evaluate, pilot, and deploy innovative technology and translate research into scalable solutions.
• Develop and manage relationships with a network of vendors and engineering consultants across the project life cycle.
• Perform site visits during construction for project assessment.
• Additional duties as assigned and/or directed.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering.
• 5+ years of solar or BESS design and/or project engineering experience.
• Experience leading engineering for complex PV or BESS projects across the full project life cyc le, including managing third-party engineering resources, reviewing design details, reviewing specs for critical equipment, and driving project-level decisions.
• Strong knowledge of PV and BESS engineering, design, and construction principles including power engineering fundamentals, major system components, constructability considerations, utility interconnection and acceptance processes, and performance optimization principles.
• Strong working knowledge of industry-standard PV and BESS design codes, engineering principles, and construction methods, including but not limited to NEC, IBC, and IFC.
• Demonstrated a bility to independently prioritize and manage multiple projects and tasks, identify critical path schedule items, and proactively anticipate and resolve construction challenges. Specific experience in roles where this is a core responsibility.
• Strong understanding of the DG and community solar market, including utility, state, and regional nuances, and how project execution differs from C&I and utility-scale PV.
• Proficiency reading and interpreting outputs from CAD and energy modeling tools, including AutoCAD and PVSYST or equivalent platforms, and using those outputs to support technical decision-making.
• Experience working with Microsoft Office and common collaboration tools used to manage engineering deliverables and cross-functional coordination.
• Demonstrated success leading engineering for utility-scale solar and BESS projects from early development through commissioning and operational handoff is a plus.
• Experience developing and managing contracts with engineering consulting partners and equipment suppliers is a plus.
• Experience creating and/or leading testing programs for implementation of new technology, product features, or process launches is a plus.
• Having participated in formal workplace mentorship programs as a mentor or mentee is a plus.
• EIT Certification (PE License preferred), NABCEP Certification, and/or PMP certification.
• Commitment to Nexamp's mission and have a passion for solving tomorrow's climate crisis today.
• Demonstrated experience in effectively communicating information, ideas, and perspectives with people inside and beyond your organization.
• Experience in showcasing initiative to make improvements to current work, processes, products, and services across the organization. We value accountability and an ownership mentality.
• Ability to ask appropriate questions, analyze data, identify the root causes of problems, and present creative solutions.
• Expertise in building strong internal and external relationships with customers and stakeholders, instilling trust and loyalty across the industry.
• Eagerness to develop a fundamental understanding of how Nexamp operates and then apply that knowledge effectively to inform business decisions.

At Nexamp, our mission is to build the future of energy so it is clean, simple, and accessible for all. We are committed to providing a work environment free from discrimination. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate against applicants on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. By encouraging a culture where ideas and decisions come from all people, we believe it will help us grow, innovate, and be a part of environmental and social change.

Not only will you get to take part in meaningful work and have the chance to change the world alongside innovative, dedicated, and motivated peers, but you will also have access to all the benefits that Nexamp offers! This include our competitive compensation package; a 401(k) employer-match; health, dental, and vision insurance starting day one; flexible paid time off and holiday PTO; commuter benefits, and cell phone reimbursement. We have headquarters in Boston, MA and Chicago, IL, in addition to growing offices nationwide. We provide healthy snacks, coffee, service days and other volunteer opportunities, company outings, and more!

The reasonably estimated salary for this role at Nexamp ranges from $100,000 - $140,000. In addition to base salary, the competitive compensation package may include, depending on the role, participation in an incentive program linked to performance (for example, annual bonus programs based on individual and company performance, non-annual sales incentive plans, or other non-annual incentive plans). Additionally, you may be eligible to participate in the Company’s stock option plan. Actual base salary may vary based upon, but is not limited to, skills and qualifications, internal equity, performance, and geographic location.