Commercial Solar Development Engineer​/Estimator, Remote U.S

Description

About GRID Alternatives is a national leader in making clean, affordable solar power and solar jobs accessible to low-income communities and communities of color. GRID is an entrepreneurial, high-growth non-profit organization that provides direct solar installation and project development; clean mobility options; workforce training and service-learning opportunities; and low-income solar policy advocacy.

At GRID, we care about each other and know that each employee has a whole self that includes life outside of work. Our culture supports learning, growth and well-being of all of our team members.

The Commercial Solar Development Engineer will play a key role in the development of solar PV and storage projects in the 25 kW-10 MW range. They will support project development with site analysis, pre-design, cost estimation, and proposal development. The position will work directly with the Commercial General Manager, Director of Commercial Business Development, and the Headquarters Design Team.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with project developers, project managers, procurement, design engineers, clients, and construction teams to define project specifications and develop accurate cost estimates for commercial solar PV rooftop, carport, and ground-mount systems, energy storage solutions (BESS), EV charging infrastructure, and associated electrical upgrades.
• Develop detailed project cost estimates using Excel, Con Est, or comparable estimating tools, incorporating labor, material, subcontractor, equipment, logistics, and contingency analysis.
• Utilize Helio Scope, AutoCAD, and Bluebeam to create early-stage conceptual and preliminary designs to support feasibility analysis, proposal development, value engineering, and pricing accuracy.
• Support scope development, cost validation, and pricing analysis for change orders on projects under contract.
• Partner with Project Management, Design & Engineering, and Interconnection teams to ensure seamless project handoff post-contract, including documentation of assumptions, exclusions, and risk considerations.
• Serve as a technical resource to the Design and Project Development teams on electrical code, building code, fire code, utility interconnection requirements, and Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) standards.
• Participate in internal technical reviews to align early-stage design assumptions with constructability, permitting requirements, and utility standards.
• Investigate scope of work, drawings, and other RFP documents to develop a thorough understanding of RFP requirements.
• Review data and plan sets to determine material and labor requirements and perform accurate take-offs.
• Manage relationships with subcontractors and vendors to obtain competitive quotes.

• 4+ years of solar PV industry experience including energy storage systems
• 2+ years of commercial estimating experience for both retrofit and new construction sites
• Demonstrated experience estimating commercial solar PV systems including rooftop, carport, and ground-mount applications, as well as battery energy storage systems (BESS) and associated electrical infrastructure.
• Proficiency in developing conceptual layouts and pre-construction designs using Helio Scope, AutoCAD, and Bluebeam to support accurate cost modeling and proposal development.
• Advanced Excel skills with the ability to build and maintain complex cost models and scenario analyses.
• Experience using Con Est or similar electrical estimating software preferred.
• Strong understanding of NEC, CBC, fire code setback requirements, and utility interconnection standards as they apply to commercial solar and storage systems.
• Experience coordinating with procurement teams to align equipment selections with cost targets and availability.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple bids and development projects simultaneously under tight deadlines.
• Strong understanding of contract documents and language to effectively mitigate risks
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills and attention to detail
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills
• Experience with  or other CRM database systems
• Experience with multifamily construction preferred

The compensation range for this fulltime position is $95,000-$100,000. The base pay that will actually be offered will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, location, experience and take into account internal equity.

Medical, Dental, Vision/Eye Care insurance, 5 weeks paid time off (PTO),13 paid holidays, Commuter Checks, 403b Retirement Plan, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA),…