Solar Proposal Engineer

Solar Proposal Engineer

Location: Honolulu: In-office, with remote or hybrid options available for outstanding applicants
Employment Type: Full-time
Compensation: $90,000–$115,000 annually plus performance bonus and benefits

A growing renewable energy business is seeking an experienced Energy Proposal Engineer to support the design and evaluation of commercial and industrial solar PV and energy storage projects. This role blends technical system design, energy analysis, and financial modeling to create well-optimized renewable energy solutions that deliver strong customer savings and return on investment.

The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience with solar design tools such as HelioScope, along with a solid understanding of utility tariff structures, load analysis, battery energy storage systems, and renewable energy incentive programs at the federal and state level.

Role Summary

In this position, you will develop technical and financial proposals for commercial and industrial customers, supporting projects from early concept through proposal delivery. You’ll work closely with sales, engineering, procurement, and project management teams to help shape solutions that are technically sound, financially attractive, and aligned with customer goals.

Key Responsibilities

Solar system design

• Create commercial and industrial PV system designs using HelioScope or similar software.
• Optimize system layouts to maximize production while accounting for shading, roof limitations, and available space.
• Produce energy yield models and system performance estimates.
• Develop preliminary electrical layouts and one-line diagrams.
• Recommend appropriate PV modules, inverters, racking systems, and battery storage solutions.

Energy analysis

• Review customer utility bills and interval meter data.
• Analyze energy usage patterns, demand profiles, and historical consumption.
• Assess utility tariffs, demand charges, and time-of-use rates.
• Size solar and battery systems to improve customer savings.
• Identify opportunities to reduce peak demand and improve energy performance.

Proposal development

• Prepare technical and financial proposals for commercial and industrial clients.
• Build project cost estimates and early-stage budgets.
• Present key financial outputs including:
  • Production estimates
  • Utility bill savings
  • Return on investment
  • Payback period
  • Internal rate of return
  • Net present value
  • Levelized cost of energy
  • Cash flow analysis
• Explain available incentives such as ITC, depreciation benefits, and applicable rebates.
• Support the sales team in customer meetings and technical presentations.

Engineering support

• Coordinate with engineering, procurement, and project teams.
• Assist with permit package development and utility interconnection applications.
• Contribute to value engineering efforts that improve project economics.
• Maintain proposal templates and internal engineering standards.
• Stay informed on evolving renewable energy technologies, utility requirements, and industry best practices.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Renewable Energy Engineering, or a related field.

Experience

• 3–5 years of experience designing commercial solar PV systems.
• Background in preparing technical proposals and project estimates.
• Experience with rooftop, ground-mount, or carport PV systems.

Skills

• Proficiency in HelioScope required.
• Experience with AutoCAD.
• Strong understanding of NEC and utility interconnection requirements.
• Ability to interpret utility bills and interval data.
• Strong Excel skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Confident customer-facing and presentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with battery energy storage systems is preferred.
• Familiarity with PVsyst, Aurora Solar, or similar platforms.
• NABCEP PV Associate or PV Professional certification.
• EIT or PE license preferred.
• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification.