Civil Project Engineer

Position Overview

We are seeking a Project Engineer - Structural/Civil to join our team at Planted in Oakland, CA. This full‑time role offers the opportunity to take ownership of the design and engineering for solar projects ranging from distributed generation to utility scale. Location: Oakland, CA Schedule: Full‑time Salary: $100,000 – $135,000 plus stock options and benefits. In this role you will work on the mechanical, structural, geotechnical, and civil aspects of solar projects while interfacing with clients, independent engineers, and permitting agencies to ensure projects meet all necessary requirements. Our mission is to accelerate the global transition to clean energy by innovating the way solar power resources are developed and built.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and engineer Planted Solar projects ranging from 1 – 200+ MW, with a focus on the structural, civil, geotechnical, and mechanical aspects of the solar array and site layout.
• Create project drawings and documentation for bidding, permitting, and construction.
• Coordinate with clients and third‑party engineering partners to understand, design, and optimize site constraints, and resolve design changes or construction issues.
• Support soil testing initiatives including pile load testing and corrosion analyses.
• Analyze pre‑construction data to ensure project compliance with product specifications and local permitting requirements.
• Collaborate with external engineering partners to deliver stamped drawing sets and detailed reports.
• Work closely with engineering teammates to produce comprehensive site designs.
• Travel to project sites as needed to support foundation and racking construction ensuring customer satisfaction.
• Champion improvements in Planted’s hardware and software products by providing critical feedback.
• Manage time efficiently across multiple projects.
• Ensure compliance with company, industry, trade, and jurisdictional safety standards, practices, and codes.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a related discipline
• Experience Required: 3+ years experience in designing utility scale solar PV systems or equivalent civil engineering projects
• 3+ years working with AutoCAD Civil 3D
• Proven ability to build plan sets and other construction documents
• Demonstrated design experience including site layout, due diligence, and permitting
• Experience with geotechnical analysis, digital elevation models, GIS, mapping, and coordinate frames
• Strong organizational, adaptability, attention to detail, and project management skills
• Excellent communication skills across construction, technical, and non‑technical teams
• A hands‑on attitude with a strong ownership mentality and resourcefulness
• Inquisitive nature and the confidence to seek necessary information or input
• Eagerness to navigate ambiguity and contribute to continuous improvement efforts

Benefits & Perks

• Benefits: Stock options and a comprehensive benefits package