Project Design Engineer
Canadian Solar Inc. is a global leader in solar energy solutions, dedicated to delivering clean, solar-powered electricity. The Project Design Engineer will support the development and engineering of Commercial & Industrial (C&I) energy storage and solar PV projects, focusing on system design, site assessments, and technical documentation. Responsibilities Perform technical feasibility assessments, load and utility data analysis, and conceptual system design for C&I battery energy storage (BESS) and solar PV systems Develop preliminary system layouts, one-line diagrams, electrical calculations, and capacity modeling Conduct solar irradiance studies, shading analysis, and energy performance modeling Analyze interval utility data (15-min / hourly) to evaluate load profiles, peak shaving potential, and system sizing Review interconnection requirements, tariff structures, and utility programs (CPUC, IOUs, NEM, SGIP) Prepare preliminary bill of materials (BOM), equipment selection support, and cost assumptions for proposals Perform occasional site assessments and prepare technical site reports Coordinate with project development, sales, and construction teams to ensure technical alignment Maintain organized project documentation and support permitting & utility submissions as needed Assist in identifying BESS opportunities and portfolio design optimization Skills Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Renewable Energy Engineering, Power Systems, or related field (or equivalent industry experience) Minimum 1–3 years of experience in distributed energy, solar, or energy storage design is preferred Understanding of electrical design principles (480V/277V, 208V/120V systems, transformers, DER interconnection) Knowledge of battery energy storage system design, safety, and project workflows Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities Excellent documentation and communication skills Ability to multitask and work cross-functionally in a fast-moving environment Willing to travel occasionally for site visits Experience with California C&I energy systems is strongly preferred Familiarity with California incentive & interconnection programs (SGIP, Rule 21, NEM/NBT/A) Experience with microgrid or hybrid BESS-PV systems is preferred Knowledge of NFPA 855, UL 9540, UL 1741, NEC Article 690 & 706 is preferred Experience with ESS enclosure vendors and inverter/EPC requirements is preferred PV & Energy Modeling: PVsyst, Helioscope (or Aurora Solar), SAM preferred CAD Tools: AutoCAD (2D), SketchUp or similar for layout Electrical Calculations: ETAP or equivalent preferred; NEC knowledge Data Analysis: Excel (advanced), VBA or Python a plus Utility Data & Tariff Tools: Utility API, Energy Toolbase or equivalent preferred Company Overview Canadian Solar was founded in 2001 in Canada and is one of the world's largest solar technology and renewable energy companies. It was founded in 2001, and is headquartered in Guelph, Ontario, CAN, with a workforce of 10001+ employees. Its website is Company H1B Sponsorship Canadian Solar Inc. has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships, with 1 in 2026, 2 in 2025, 1 in 2024, 3 in 2023, 2 in 2021. Please note that this does not guarantee sponsorship for this specific role.