Electrical Engineer I – Power Systems
Off-Grid Power Systems designs, engineers, sells, installs, and services solar generation and lithium battery energy storage systems from our shop in Delaware, Ohio. In a given month our engineering team might specify a 12V lithium system for a service truck that has to run tools all day, a whole-home backup system for a rural house at the end of a long utility line, and a three-phase energy storage system for a commercial building — and one engineer sees each of those from load calculation through commissioning. Nearly every system we build is custom. That is the work, and it is why customers come to us instead of the companies advertising solar panels on a billboard.
We are hiring an Electrical Engineer I in our engineering department. The Electrical Engineer I designs the systems we sell — from a single-battery mobile installation to a multi-inverter commercial energy storage system. You will own the calculations, the equipment selections, the wiring schematics, and the code compliance behind each project. Your drawings are what our sales team quotes from, our installers build from, and inspectors review. You will work hand in hand with our Lead Installer and our sales representatives in scoping customer needs and environments to arrive at the correct solution for each project, and you will see your designs through commissioning on our shop floor. This is a shop-based engineering position, with occasional trips to a job site.
This is an ideal role for a new BSEE graduate, or an engineer with some post-college experience, who wants to build a career in renewable energy and off-grid power. If you have not yet worked as an electrical engineer but you are serious about starting here, we want to talk to you. We invest in the people who invest in this industry.
The Electrical Engineer I will need to bring the following behaviors and soft skills to the position:
- Initiative and self-direction;
- Eagerness to learn new technologies and skills;
- Rigor. Show your work, label your assumptions, and check your math before it becomes copper;
- Ability to simplify and describe complex technology and operation to customers;
- Ability to interact and interface with customers in a professional manner, both in-shop and at the work site;
- Ability to adapt and overcome unforeseen obstacles that may arise at a work site;
- Willingness to be wrong, ask questions, and check the work — in this industry a design error becomes a safety problem;
- Exhibit follow-through and accountability, coupled with an exhibited pride in workmanship, both in function and form;
Job Duties
- Design DC and AC power systems, including solar array layout and string sizing, inverter and charger selection, lithium battery bank sizing, and system protection;
- Perform load analysis, energy budget, autonomy, short-circuit, and voltage-drop calculations to right-size each system to the customer's actual use;
- Select and size conductors, overcurrent protection, disconnects, raceways, and grounding and bonding per NEC and applicable standards;
- Apply the code sections that actually govern our work — Article 690 for solar, 705 for interconnection, 706 for energy storage, 551 for recreational vehicles — and keep current as they change;
- Produce clear, complete wiring schematics, one-line diagrams, panel schedules, layout drawings, and bills of material that an installer can build from without guessing;
- Prepare submittal and permit packages, respond to plan review comments, and support inspection and utility interconnection where required;
- Configure, program, and commission inverters, chargers, battery management systems, and remote monitoring and system management devices;
- Support the sales team on technical scoping calls and site assessments, and support the installation team with field troubleshooting and as-built revisions;
- Develop and maintain standard designs, drawing templates, and calculation worksheets so common projects stop being custom projects;
- Test, document, and troubleshoot completed systems, and feed what you learn back into our standard designs;
- Maintain design files, revision control, and product documentation so any member of the team can pick up a project and understand it.
Required Education and Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, or a closely related engineering discipline;
- New graduates are encouraged to apply. A BSEE with some post-college work experience is equally welcome;
- Coursework, co-op, internship, capstone, or personal project work in power systems, power electronics, or energy storage;
- Ability to read, understand, and create wiring diagrams and schematics, with additional training provided.
Required Technical and Practical Skills
- Functional knowledge of AC & DC electrical systems and the ability to apply circuit fundamentals to real hardware;
- Working familiarity with the National Electrical Code, or the demonstrated ability to learn and apply it quickly;
- Competence with 2D or 3D CAD or electrical drafting software for schematics and layouts;
- Adept with spreadsheets or scripting for repeatable sizing and energy calculations;
- Comfort with hand tools, power tools, and basic bench test equipment — multimeter, clamp meter, oscilloscope, insulation tester;
- Clear technical writing and clear speech. Our documentation and our phone calls both go to customers, inspectors, and installers;
- Valid driver's license and the ability to travel to customer sites.
Optional but relevant Experience
Any one or more of the following may move your resume to the top of the stack:
- Renewable energy system design — solar PV, wind, or hybrid generation;
- Power electronics design, test, or application engineering — inverters, converters, chargers, or motor drives;
- Power distribution, substation, or utility engineering;
- Building electrical distribution design — panels, feeders, service entrance, load calculations;
- Battery energy storage systems and battery management systems;
- Permit set preparation, plan review, or AHJ interaction;
- Residential or commercial electrical and/or solar installation;
- Recreational vehicle, marine, or mobile power system design or installation;
- Computer networking design and installation;
- IoT automation and dashboard creation using Node-RED;
- Embedded systems, controls, PLC, or Modbus/CAN communications;
- Military or civilian radio deployment, operation, or repair;
- Hands-on hobby or maker experience with off-grid power, van/RV conversions, or home energy storage. We count it.
Other
- This is primarily a shop-based position. Expect to spend roughly 90% of your time in our Delaware, Ohio shop and the balance on site with the installation team;
- Occasional field work is required. You should be comfortable getting under or on top of a vehicle, into a confined storage compartment, or onto a pitched or flat roof to verify a design, commission a system, or troubleshoot a problem. We do not expect you to install for a living, but we do expect you to see your own work in the real world;
- Must be able to occasionally lift 50 pounds from the ground to chest height. Batteries and inverters are heavy, and there is no bench work in this industry that avoids them entirely;
- Some travel will be required, as projects may be completed on site at a remote location. Travel is infrequent, could be for up to a week, and will be within the Ohio Valley region, including Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Western Pennsylvania;
What We Offer
- Real engineering from day one: You will own designs, not fetch coffee. Your name goes on drawings that get built.
- Training: We invest in your success by providing comprehensive training on our product lines and design methods, including manufacturer certification.
- Career Growth Opportunities: The renewable energy industry is rapidly expanding, opening paths for significant professional advancement. We are growing, and we promote from within.
- Supportive Team Environment: Enjoy a workplace that values fun and connectivity, with activities that foster team bonding.
What makes Off-Grid Power Systems different from those marketing themselves as "solar installers"
- We answer the phone!
- We communicate with all customers in a clear and consistent manner;
- We provide free consultations and advice to customers large and small;
- We support the DIY community with tier-1 products and will provide a detailed wiring schematic for DIY installation if requested;
- We will NEVER short-cut, perform sloppy work, or sacrifice safety to reduce cost. Our customers are looking for a high-touch, premium experience.
Off-Grid Power Systems runs background checks as a part of the hiring process to check for any felony convictions directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the position or repeated drug or alcohol related offenses. Only job-related convictions will be considered and will not automatically disqualify the candidate.
Pay: $60,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Paid time off
Education:
Ability to Commute:
- Delaware, OH 43015 (Required)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: In person
