How to hire a solar systems designer

How to hire a solar systems designer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step solar systems designer 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 systems designer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new solar systems designer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the solar systems designer you need to hire. Certain solar systems designer roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a solar systems designer to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a solar systems designer that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of solar systems designer salaries for various roles:

   Type of Solar Systems Designer	Description	Hourly rate
   Solar Systems Designer		$16-63
   Designer	A designer is someone who creates a master plan of the look or workings of something before it will be made. It could be tangible or intangible objects, products, procedures, laws, events, games, graphics, services, and even experiences... Show more	$21-46
   Systems Designer	In the information technology industry, a systems designer specializes in creating systems in adherence to the client or company's needs. Their responsibilities include performing research and analysis, gathering and analyzing operational data and client feedback, subjecting designs in a variety of tests, coordinating with engineers, troubleshooting problems, and developing strategies to optimize operations... Show more	$33-60

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Renewable Energy
   • Solar PV
   • Battery
   • Salesforce
   • NEC
   • Solar System Design

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage relationships through CRM documentation and complete post-sale customer follow ups.
   • Design and develop a custom web-base CRM primarily using store procedures and triggers for data manipulation and business logic.
   • Install and maintain AirTap heat pump water heater retrofit reducing hot water energy demand.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, solar systems designers' average salary in tennessee is 44% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level solar systems designers earn 74% less than senior-level solar systems designers.
   • Certifications. A solar systems designer 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 systems designer's salary.

   Average solar systems designer salary

   $69,157yearly

   $33.25 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level solar systems designer salary

   $35,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

4. Writing a solar systems designer job description

   A job description for a solar systems designer role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a solar systems designer job description:

   Solar systems designer job description example

   Solar Canvasser Responsibilities - 20-30 hours per week

   • Educate homeowners about the benefits and cost savings when switching to solar energy
   • Generate leads via door-to-door canvassing, events, expos, booths, and trade shows
   • Schedule homeowners for a free solar assessment that demonstrates Apollo Energy’s solar energy product
   • Collect electricity usage with customers
   • Record information in company's CRM
   • Other duties as assigned

   Solar Designer Responsibilities 10-20 hours per week

   • Design solar systems and proposals for customers interested in free solar assessments
   • Prepare customized solar reviews for homeowners
   • Enter data into company CRM and financier software
   • Redesign systems and proposals

   Qualifications

   • A desire to help people and make a positive impact on the world
   • Motivated by career advancement and making a difference
   • Outgoing and friendly
   • Detail oriented
   • Excellent time-management skills
   • Efficient worker in a variety of settings
   • Ability to work in a fast paced environment
   • High level understanding and use of Google-suite and CRM softwares
   • Strong sales ability or willingness to learn
   • Canvassing experience (preferred, but not required)
   • Experience using design software
   • Drive to have positive and productive conversations
   • Exceptional objection handling & closing skills
   • High integrity & ethical standards
   • Track record of accomplishing whatever you put your mind to
   • Regular, reliable and predictable attendance required
   • Ability to work well with others in a collaborative team environment
   • Ability to multitask and coordinate with others

   Requirements

   • Reliable transportation
   • Able to walk/stand for 4+ hours at a time
   • Authorized to work in the U.S.

   Benefits:

   • Base pay, plus generous commission structure (estimated $18-30+/hour)
   • Healthcare, dental and vision benefits
   • 401k with company match
   • PTO and paid holidays
   • Career advancement opportunities
   • Team incentives for extra days off every year
   • Transportation for individuals with covid vaccination
   • Fun team that cares about the planet!

   Anyone interested in learning about solar, getting your foot in the door of a rapidly growing company, or advocating for the environment is encouraged to apply.

   Apollo Energy offers equal employment opportunities and applicants for employment without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, mental and physical disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, or all other applicable status protected by federal, state and/or local law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find solar systems designers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any solar systems designers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level solar systems designers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your solar systems designer job on Zippia to find and recruit solar systems designer 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 systems designers, 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 to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   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 systems designer

   Once you've decided on a perfect solar systems designer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your 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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new solar systems designer. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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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