Sr. PV Project Development Engineer, Tesla Energy

Join Tesla Energy's Project Development team as we accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy. As a Senior PV Project Development Engineer, you will be at the forefront of designing utility-scale solar and energy storage solutions that power data centers, utilities, and commercial customers worldwide.

You'll work in a fast-paced, innovative environment where your expertise in conceptual and preliminary PV plant design will directly influence the bankability and feasibility of multi-megawatt solar + storage projects. Your designs will shape interconnection studies, inform early-stage bids, and reduce risk in hybrid renewable energy proposals. This role demands technical rigor, creative problem-solving, and the ability to balance speed with accuracy in high-stakes feasibility assessments.

Expect to collaborate with cross-functional teams including electrical engineering, energy storage integration, project finance, and business development. You'll be instrumental in driving Tesla's growth in the utility-scale solar market, working on cutting-edge hybrid and collocated PV + Megapack projects that define the future of clean energy infrastructure.

This position is based in either Austin, Texas, or Palo Alto, California.

• Site Layout Optimization: Design and optimize utility-scale PV plant layouts using industry-leading tools, balancing land use, shading, topography, and equipment constraints to maximize energy yield and project economics
• Module & Inverter Configuration: Specify and configure PV module/inverter/string architectures, evaluate tracker vs. fixed-tilt systems, and conduct trade-off analyses for different equipment selections
• Energy Yield Modeling: Perform preliminary energy yield modeling and loss analysis using PVsyst, HelioScope, or RatedPower to support feasibility studies and interconnection applications
• Electrical System Design: Develop high-level electrical single-line diagrams, MV collection system plans, and preliminary power flow studies for solar plants and hybrid PV + BESS projects
• Hybrid System Integration: Design conceptual integration schemes for solar and battery energy storage systems (BESS), including DC-coupled and AC-coupled configurations feeding MV networks and data center loads
• Interconnection Support: Prepare technical documentation and preliminary studies for interconnection applications (FERC, utility ISAs), including short-circuit analysis and voltage impact assessments using ETAP or SKM PowerTools
• Feasibility Assessments: Lead quick-turnaround, bankable feasibility assessments for early-stage projects, providing data-driven recommendations that inform bid/no-bid decisions
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Partner with business development, sales, finance, and construction/deployment teams to translate technical designs into actionable project proposals and cost estimates
• Risk Mitigation: Identify technical and regulatory risks in early-stage designs, propose mitigation strategies, and ensure designs comply with NEC, IEEE, and utility interconnection standards
• Continuous Improvement: Stay current on emerging PV technologies, design software updates, and industry best practices; mentor junior engineers and contribute to standardized design workflows
• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Renewable Energy Engineering, or equivalent experience
• 5-6 years of experience in utility-scale solar project development, EPC, or owner's engineering
• Expert-level proficiency in PVsyst and HelioScope or RatedPower for energy yield modeling and site layout optimization
• Working knowledge of ETAP or SKM PowerTools for preliminary power flow, short-circuit, and arc flash analysis
• Hands-on experience with interconnection applications and preliminary interconnection studies (transmission or distribution level)
• Strong understanding of PV system fundamentals: module/inverter technologies, tracker systems, DC/AC architectures, and performance modeling
• Knowledge of hybrid solar and storage system design, including DC and AC coupling strategies and associated balance of plant equipment from MV to HV substation
• Experience with preliminary cost estimation and value engineering during the pre-construction phase
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple concurrent feasibility studies with tight deadlines
• Excellent communication skills, capable of presenting technical findings to non-technical stakeholders

Benefits

Along with competitive pay, as a full-time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits at day 1 of hire:

• Medical plans > plan options with $0 payroll deduction
• Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits
• Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both have options with a $0 paycheck contribution
• Company Paid (Health Savings Accounts) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High-Deductible medical plan with HSA
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) with employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits
• Company paid Basic Life, AD&D
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance (90 day waiting period)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions, Accrued hours for Hourly positions), and Paid Holidays
• Back-up childcare and parenting support resources
• Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance
• Weight Loss and Tobacco Cessation Programs
• Tesla Babies program
• Commuter benefits
• Employee discounts and perks program