Manager, Solar Design

UPC Solar Management, LLC is a solar energy project development company that originates (sales & marketing), designs, project finances, installs, owns and operates both commercial and utility scale solar energy projects for purposes of selling solar energy to its customers under long-term power purchase agreements.

UPC Solar is headquartered in Chicago. UPC Solar is part of the UPC Energy Group with more than 10 years of domestic and international experience in the development of renewable energy projects.

Position Description:

The Manager of Solar Design ("MSD") will have overall responsibility for managing and executing all aspects of the design, engineering, and procurement of both commercial and utility scale solar photovoltaic energy systems.

The MSD will coordinate & consult with sales and marketing, the Manager of Solar Construction, Development Managers, equipment OEMs, independent engineers, and subcontractors to size and select the best solution for each project opportunity.

The MSD will be responsible for estimating system performance, electrical and mechanical design, and securing building permits. The MSD, along with the Manager of Solar Construction, is also responsible for overall project management including managing within budgetary constraints, maintaining project schedules, and meeting all necessary milestones for each project through construction and commissioning.

The MSD will integrate new processes and methods to increase productivity and efficiency of the company. The MSD will report directly to the Vice President of Engineering & Operations.

Compensation:

Salary commensurate with experience & qualifications, bonus program, plus attractive benefits package.

Relocation:

Relocation assistance within California to the Sacramento area available for the ideal candidate.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will have the following experience and skill sets:

• A Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical or Civil Engineering. Other technical disciplines will be considered based on specific experience and demonstrated skill sets.
• A minimum of 3 years experience working in an engineering capacity for a commercial photovoltaic company (manufacturer, integrator or developer). Comparable experience working for a leading solar energy consulting engineering firm will also be considered.
• Experienced in the use and interpretation of solar photovoltaic modeling applications such as PVSyst, PVWatts and MauiSolar used for sizing systems and estimating system performance within the context of various technical and commercial constraints of grid connected systems.
• Strong knowledge of photovoltaic system design and optimization, electrical and structural design components and manufacturers, and codes and standards such as the NEC and UBC as they pertain to photovoltaic design.
• Experienced in soliciting and evaluating equipment bids, selecting qualified suppliers and installation contractors, and driving down installed costs through both technical optimization and commercial negotiation.
• Good working knowledge of utility interconnection design, application and approval requirements and process.
• Experience designing with medium voltage equipment.
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD 2007 software or equivalent including ability to generate professional design drawings (and supporting design calculations) showing the structural, electrical and site plan design of large scale roof-top and ground mount solar electric systems.
• Experienced in securing both discretionary and ministerial permits for solar photovoltaic systems.
• Strong organizational and project management skills including ability to manage and maintain project schedules and budgets.
• Good working knowledge of MS Office programs including Word, Excel and PowerPoint and generally ability to leverage computers during design, installation and operations (monitoring) phases of projects.
• Willingness and ability to travel to meet with prospective customers and job sites to perform evaluations and preliminary design leading to viable technical and financial solutions.
• Ability to complete and stamp detailed civil, mechanical and electrical system design including drafting of system plans suitable for permit application and construction, specification of components, creation of bill of materials, interpretation of code requirements, and interfacing with local building officials as needed to secure building permits.
• Management of design resources across multiple locations within a geographic region including coordination of the design of multiple projects simultaneously.
• Understanding of the various PV rebate computations and rebate application processes.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.

To Apply:

UPC Solar Management, LLC
200 South Wacker Drive, 31st Floor
Chicago, IL 60606