Commercial Solar Development Engineer/Estimator, Remote within the U.S

GRID Alternatives is a national leader in making clean, affordable solar power accessible to low-income communities. The Commercial Solar Development Engineer will support the development of solar PV and storage projects by conducting site analysis, cost estimation, and proposal development, while collaborating with various teams to ensure project specifications are met.

Responsibilities:

• 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, ConEst, or comparable estimating tools, incorporating labor, material, subcontractor, equipment, logistics, and contingency analysis
• Utilize HelioScope, 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

Requirements:

• 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 HelioScope, 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
• 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 Salesforce.com or other CRM database systems
• Experience using ConEst or similar electrical estimating software
• Experience with multifamily construction