How to hire a solar project engineer

How to hire a solar project engineer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step solar project engineer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a solar project engineer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new solar project engineer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your solar project engineer job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a solar project engineer for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A solar project engineer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, solar project engineers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of solar project engineer salaries for various roles:

   Type of Solar Project Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Solar Project Engineer		$25-50
   Engineer	Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects... Show more	$31-62
   Project Engineer Internship	When it comes to a project engineer internship, one of the primary responsibilities is to follow the directives of engineers and managers while earning practical experience. Most of the duties will revolve around processing documents, answering calls and correspondence, participating in various projects, assisting engineers in basic tasks, and organizing inventory and supplies... Show more	$14-24

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Construction Management
   • PV
   • Construction Projects
   • Renewable Energy
   • RFI
   • Pvsyst
   • Line Diagrams

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead the development of the solar engineering design packages which are submit to the client, developer, or AHJ.
   • Facilitate coordination between MEP trades and manage finishes.
   • Programme PLC to implement a variety of safety instructions to avoid mechanical damage and operator error.
   • Maintain and manage company SolidWorks database.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your solar project engineer job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A solar project engineer salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, solar project engineers' average salary in tennessee is 39% less than in oregon.
   • Seniority. Entry-level solar project engineers earn 49% less than senior-level solar project engineers.
   • Certifications. A solar project engineer with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a solar project engineer's salary.

   Average solar project engineer salary

   $76,004yearly

   $36.54 hourly rate

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   Entry-level solar project engineer salary

   $54,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 5, 2025

4. Writing a solar project engineer job description

   A good solar project engineer job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a solar project engineer job description:

   Solar project engineer job description example

   The Project Engineer 1 is responsible for conducting Independent Engineering Reviews, project commissioning, site assessments, root cause analysis, and other technical projects inherent in the assessment, development, and upkeep of photovoltaic power plants.This role may provide leadership/mentoring to other E&R employees.
   
   The ideal candidate will have a very strong technical background, PV related and otherwise. Experience with at least one of the following is essential: project management, data acquisition systems (DAS), understanding of electrical drawings / plan sets, PV system design, electrical system troubleshooting, PVsyst modeling, and advanced MS Office skills.
   
   The ideal candidate should be able to demonstrate managing and leading multiple projects simultaneously, and always with an eye toward customer service, both internal and external.
   
   They will also provide technical support when it comes to higher-level technical questions from others in the company.
   (Remote or hybrid schedule will be considered)
   
   Why you're the perfect addition to our Team (about you):
   
   Ability to prepare, review, compile, and discuss engineering reports You can monitor EPC compliance to applicable codes, practices, QA/QC policies, performance standards and specifications Interact daily with clients to interpret their needs and requirements and represent them in the field Able to perform overall quality control of the work (budget, schedule, plans, personnel's performance) and report regularly on project status Collaborate and communicate effectively with project manager, as well as other project participants to provide assistance and technical support You can review engineering deliverables and initiate appropriate corrective actions In collaboration with senior personnel, perform Independent Engineering Reviews of PV power plant designs and equipment selection, QA/QC system inspections, document reviews, and technical report creation Assist in special site assessments, including determination of root causes of system under-performance and development and execution of remediation plans You're able to perform occasional onsite labor in the execution of special projects such as component repairs and prototype assessments and reviews You can perform in house module and system component testing and compile, analyze, and report on resulting data Provide background research on technical questions both for internal use and for customer use Ability to work in a safe and alert manner is an essential function of the job
   
   Job Qualifications and Experience:
   
   B.S. degree in Engineering or relevant field Proven working experience as a project engineer Advanced MS Office skills Familiarity with rules, regulations, best practices, and performance standards for the PV industry Project management and supervision skills, with the ability to work with multiple discipline projects Decision making, time management, organizational and leadership skills Mechanical design and fabrication skills NABCEP certification or other component specific solar certifications Experience with industry standard PV modeling tools such as PVsyst or Helioscope. PART 107 certified for small, unmanned aircraft systems
   
   Other attributes and competencies:
   
   Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills are essential Technical writing and research skills are essential Detail and customer service oriented, ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and extremely professional Key skills include Electrical Engineering, analysis of electrical drawings, basic knowledge of construction, strong organization, and prioritization Must be organized and self-motivated and be able to resolve issues within given time frame Must possess excellent analytical, decision-making and problem-solving skills Familiarity with AutoCAD 1-2 trips per month typical travel within the U.S. to perform field inspections and investigations for 3-5 days at a time. Will be limited to weekdays, but weekends are available on a volunteer basis Valid US driver license is required
   
   Perks
   
   Supportive and fun work environment! Paid holidays Medical, dental, vision benefits 401 (k)
   
   NAES Safe
   
   Safety is a very important value of NAES/Bay4; those employed with NAES/Bay4 are expected to be mentally alert and work safely at all times, following safety rules and procedures. Additionally, employees have an obligation to abide by all safety warnings and posted safety signs on company property.
   
   Physical Requirements & Working Conditions
   
   Normal works hours are 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. Monday through Friday. Additional time may be required during heavy workloads or to meet deadlines.
   
   Physical Requirements: Ability to sit for long periods of time, ability to communicate verbally, and in writing, and ability to handle long periods of screen time.
   
   Fit for Duty
   
   All employees will participate in the Fitness for Duty program. This program includes a pre-employment drug screening.
   
   Performance
   
   When it comes to our customers NAES/Bay4 employees take ownership to perform at the highest standard. We also care about our co-workers and know they deserve the same respect. Our goal is to exceed the needs of our customers with absolute integrity.
   
   About Bay4 and NAES
   
   Bay4 and NAES Corporation are committed to supporting a culture with unique perspectives and backgrounds. We value individual differences in each other in an effort to create a brighter future in the power generation industry. We strive to attract and retain employees by offering competitive compensation, a comprehensive benefits package (including retirement) and promotional opportunities.
   
   Bay4 Energy is one of the fastest growing companies in the renewable energy operations and maintenance industry. With more than 30 years of asset performance and portfolio management experience.
   
   At Bay4, you'll find engaging and challenging career opportunities. At every level of the company, we share a common goal: To instill confidence in our clients through our steadfast commitment to safety, integrity and quality of work.
   
   NAES is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. It is the practice of NAES to seek employees of the highest quality and to select individuals on the basis of merit and competence, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status or affiliation protected under USERRA, or any other basis of discrimination prohibited by applicable local, state and federal law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right solar project engineer for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your solar project engineer job on Zippia to find and recruit solar project engineer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit solar project engineers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new solar project engineer

   Once you've selected the best solar project engineer candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new solar project engineer. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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