Design Engineer; Mechanical Engineering

About 1st Avenue Power

At 1st Avenue Power, we are on a mission to deliver simple, fast-to-deploy, customer-centric and intelligent power systems leveraging solar to provide inexpensive and reliable clean energy to global customers from data centers to energy-starved communities. We aim for a sustainable and equitable world through clean energy access.

About the Role

Join a groundbreaking team at the forefront of the clean energy transition. The Design Engineer will serve as the Lead Engineer on multiple product development initiatives, combining technical precision with creative problem-solving to deliver reliable, bankable, and innovative solar energy solutions. This role will oversee design, validation, and certification of solar PV systems and related products, ensuring compliance with codes and standards while optimizing performance, constructability, and cost-effectiveness.

What Makes This Job Unique

• Leadership Impact: You will influence key strategic decisions and help shape the energy strategy at 1st Avenue Power.
• Growth Potential: The company and project pipeline are in high growth mode, offering opportunities for career growth and development.
• Co-Founder Mindset: We seek candidates with ownership, innovation, and a commitment to building a sustainable and equitable energy future.

Job Responsibilities

• Define and apply structural product load requirements, including data interpretation from wind tunnel testing.
• Provide structural engineering support or act as a technical resource for internal projects.
• Design cycles and initiatives; prototyping and iterative design improvements.
• CAD design, drafting, and optimization; testing support (lab, field, and performance validation).
• Field validation and troubleshooting; sourcing and procurement support.
• Certifications and compliance documentation; prepare site layouts, system designs, and electrical schematics for utility-scale PV projects.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across development, finance, procurement, and EPC; stay current with industry standards and certification practices (including UL-2703).
• Product load testing and production of testing reports as needed; field testing on construction sites.
• Perform other engineering-related tasks as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Current California Structural Civil PE with active stamp.
• Proficient in AutoCAD with ability to create site layouts, plans, and detailed design drawings.
• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Structural, Electrical, Mechanical, or Renewable Energy Engineering.
• Strong communication and organizational skills with the ability to lead cross-disciplinary teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelors or Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering (or similar)
• Proficiency with Solid Works or similar CAD software; strong mechanical design capabilities.
• Experience working in a high-paced startup environment; comfortable with fast-moving teams.
• Computer and workplace software proficiency; willingness to travel 5-15% to sites as needed.
• Remote flexibility; competitive compensation package.
• Health Insurance: 100% employee premium coverage under a Gold-level PPO;
  Dental & Vision: 50% of employee premiums covered.
• Retirement Plan: 401(k) with a 6% employer match.

Equal Employment Opportunity

1AI Energy, the employing entity for 1st Avenue Power, and 1st Avenue Power are committed to an Equal Employment Opportunity policy and will not discriminate on protected characteristics. Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation. Please inform the company if you need assistance completing an application or to participate in the process.