Sr. PV Project Development Engineer, Tesla Energy

What To Expect
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.

What You'll Do

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

What You'll Bring

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
Compensation and 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

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