Design Manager

CalSolar is a solar energy company serving commercial solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage projects. The Design Manager will lead the engineering and design execution of multiple projects, manage Designers and Drafters, coordinate with clients and external stakeholders, and ensure technically sound, code-compliant, constructable, and timely deliverables.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary technical point of contact for assigned clients and projects
• Lead design coordination meetings with developers, architects, engineers of record, general contractors, utilities, and project owners
• Manage technical communications throughout project development, permitting, and construction
• Develop trusted relationships with clients and project stakeholders
• Facilitate resolution of design challenges, scope changes, and technical conflicts
• Translate client objectives into actionable engineering and design deliverables
• Represent CalSolar professionally in stakeholder meetings, project reviews, and technical presentations
• Manage the engineering and design execution of multiple commercial solar PV and BESS projects simultaneously
• Direct the preparation of permit plans, construction documents, utility interconnection packages, and engineering deliverables
• Coordinate internal design activities with project management, estimating, procurement, and construction teams
• Ensure projects maintain compliance with applicable codes, utility requirements, and client standards
• Perform quality reviews of engineering and drafting deliverables
• Support utility interconnection and AHJ permitting efforts
• Lead and mentor a team of Designers and Drafters
• Assign workloads and manage project priorities within the team
• Provide technical guidance, coaching, and performance feedback
• Review design work for accuracy, quality, and consistency
• Support onboarding and professional development of engineering staff
• Promote engineering best practices and continuous improvement initiatives
• Review and coordinate:
• Solar PV system layouts
• Electrical single-line diagrams
• Energy storage system designs
• Equipment selections
• Structural coordination requirements
• Utility interconnection documentation
• Identify and resolve constructability concerns early in the design process
• Support field teams with technical issue resolution during construction
• Contribute to the development of engineering standards, templates, and design procedures

Requirements:

• 5+ years of commercial solar PV engineering, design, or project delivery experience
• Experience managing project stakeholders including developers, architects, engineers of record, contractors, and utilities
• Prior experience leading or mentoring Designers, Drafters, or engineering personnel
• Strong client-facing communication and relationship management skills
• Experience with commercial and multifamily solar projects, including both new construction and retrofit applications
• Experience coordinating permitting and utility interconnection processes within California
• Working knowledge of battery energy storage systems (BESS)
• Strong understanding of NEC, California Building Code, California Fire Code, and commercial construction practices
• Excellent organizational, leadership, and project management capabilities