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Solar Energy Systems Engineers

SOC 17-2199.11Job Zone 4 · Considerable Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers solar energy systems engineering practice across residential, commercial, and industrial contexts, from supervised site audits and CAD-based design through autonomous project delivery to organizational leadership and industry influence.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Site audit data — collect and document structural, electrical, and environmental measurements under engineer supervision on residential solar project sites.
  2. CAD software basics — produce simple electrical single-line diagrams for PV systems following established templates and mentor review.
  3. Solar energy fundamentals — apply physics and engineering principles to interpret system specifications within a team-based commercial design environment.
  4. Panel schedules — assemble preliminary connection diagrams using CAD tools under direct guidance for entry-level residential installations.
  5. Simulation software — execute pre-configured solar PV generation models and record output results for senior-engineer analysis.
  6. Technical documentation — read and summarize engineering drawings, codes, and product datasheets relevant to solar energy system components.
  7. Design specifications — identify key functional requirements from project briefs and compile supporting data under structured supervision.
  8. Installation support — shadow and assist field installation teams during commissioning activities on residential PV projects.
  9. Mathematical calculations — apply basic load and energy yield calculations to verify preliminary sizing estimates with guidance.
  10. Engineering standards — recognize applicable electrical and building codes relevant to solar system design in a supervised project context.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Engineering site audits — conduct complete structural and electrical assessments for residential and small commercial solar projects with minimal oversight.
  2. PV system design — develop system component selections and layout configurations for standard residential installations using CAD and simulation tools.
  3. Solar thermal systems — design basic solar thermal configurations, specifying components and integration points for commercial building applications.
  4. Electrical diagrams — create accurate single-line diagrams, panel schedules, and connection drawings for PV systems using CAD software with routine peer review.
  5. Performance simulation — run and interpret computer simulations of PV generation systems to compare design alternatives and improve energy output estimates.
  6. Technical writing — produce engineering reports, design narratives, and specification documents for recurring project types with limited revision cycles.
  7. Installation guidance — provide on-site technical direction to installation crews during start-up and testing phases of familiar project types.
  8. Specification review — evaluate supplier and subcontractor specifications against design requirements and recommend standard engineering adjustments.
  9. Design planning — draft solar energy system development and monitoring plans aligned with project schedules and client objectives.
  10. Cross-functional coordination — collaborate with architects, contractors, and utility representatives to resolve routine design integration issues.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Complex site audits — lead comprehensive engineering audits of large commercial or industrial sites, synthesizing structural, electrical, and shading data into actionable design inputs.
  2. Full-scope PV system design — independently design complete photovoltaic systems including array layout, inverter selection, and grid interconnection for commercial and industrial clients.
  3. Solar thermal integration — engineer solar thermal systems with advanced controls and storage, coordinating with mechanical teams on complex building retrofits.
  4. Advanced CAD documentation — produce fully code-compliant electrical single-line diagrams, panel schedules, and interconnection drawings for multimegawatt projects.
  5. Optimization simulation — perform advanced computer modeling of PV generation performance across multiple scenarios, delivering data-driven recommendations to stakeholders.
  6. Engineering change management — critically review fabrication and installation specifications, identifying and justifying design changes to meet solar performance objectives.
  7. Commissioning leadership — direct installation teams through system commissioning, performance testing, and handover for non-routine or technically complex solar installations.
  8. Functional requirements development — author detailed design specifications and functional requirements for novel solar energy system components or configurations.
  9. Problem resolution — apply systems-level critical thinking to diagnose underperformance issues and implement corrective engineering solutions in the field.
  10. Stakeholder communication — present complex technical findings and design rationale clearly to clients, regulators, and multidisciplinary project teams.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Organizational design strategy — establish and govern solar energy system design standards, methodologies, and quality frameworks across an engineering organization.
  2. Portfolio-level planning — create enterprise-wide plans for solar energy development programs, including evaluation metrics, monitoring protocols, and multi-year roadmaps.
  3. Technology leadership — evaluate emerging PV and solar thermal technologies, directing R&D investments to advance organizational capability and competitive differentiation.
  4. Engineering talent development — mentor and coach engineers across all experience levels, building technical competency in simulation, CAD design, and site engineering.
  5. Cross-organizational coordination — lead integrated project delivery teams spanning engineering, procurement, construction, and finance for utility-scale solar initiatives.
  6. Policy and standards influence — represent the organization in industry working groups, shaping engineering standards, grid interconnection rules, and permitting frameworks.
  7. Risk and performance governance — establish performance monitoring frameworks and risk mitigation strategies for large solar asset portfolios across diverse regulatory environments.
  8. Strategic client relationships — engage executive-level clients and utility partners to define solar energy program objectives, translating vision into viable engineering scope.
  9. Innovation pipeline — direct the development of proprietary design tools, simulation platforms, and specification libraries that elevate firm-wide engineering productivity.
  10. Executive decision-making — provide authoritative technical judgment to leadership on make-or-buy decisions, partnership strategies, and capital investment in solar infrastructure.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Applications Engineer · Consulting Engineer · Engineer · Photovoltaic System Designer (PV System Designer) · Power Systems Engineer · Project Engineer · Renewable Energy Specialist · Research Engineer · Solar Applications Development Engineer · Solar Array Engineer · Solar Design Engineer · Solar Designer
RAPIDS apprenticeships
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O*NET skills
Reading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingWritingSpeakingComplex Problem SolvingActive ListeningJudgment and Decision MakingMathematicsMonitoringScienceActive LearningSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationPersuasionInstructingSystems EvaluationTime Management
Knowledge domains
Engineering and TechnologyDesignBuilding and ConstructionMathematicsMechanicalComputers and ElectronicsPhysicsAdministration and ManagementEnglish Language
Abilities
Deductive ReasoningProblem SensitivityWritten ExpressionWritten ComprehensionFluency of IdeasOral ExpressionInductive ReasoningOral ComprehensionMathematical ReasoningInformation Ordering
Work styles
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Technology
Analytical or scientific softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareOperating system softwareObject or component oriented development softwareData base user interface and query softwareProgram testing softwareGeographic information systemMobile location based services softwareOffice suite softwareWeb platform development software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Conduct engineering site audits to collect structural, electrical, and related site information for use in the design of residential or commercial solar power systems.
  2. Create plans for solar energy system development, monitoring, and evaluation activities.
  3. Design or coordinate design of photovoltaic (PV) or solar thermal systems, including system components, for residential and commercial buildings.
  4. Provide technical direction or support to installation teams during installation, start-up, testing, system commissioning, or performance monitoring.
  5. Create electrical single-line diagrams, panel schedules, or connection diagrams for solar electric systems, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
  6. Perform computer simulation of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation system performance or energy production to optimize efficiency.
  7. Review specifications and recommend engineering or manufacturing changes to achieve solar design objectives.
  8. Develop design specifications and functional requirements for residential, commercial, or industrial solar energy systems or components.
CIP education codes
14.010114.010314.040114.070214.080214.080514.100314.100414.110114.120114.130114.240114.270114.330114.340114.360114.380114.390114.400114.410114.420114.430114.440114.450114.470114.480114.480214.489914.999915.150215.160151.2312

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.