Applications Engineer - 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 Applications Engineer in our engineering department. The Applications Engineer is the technical authority on how our products go together. When a customer describes what they need — a cabin at the end of a two-mile driveway, a farm that wants to stop paying for diesel, a fleet vehicle that has to power equipment away from shore power — you are the person who turns that into the right combination of solar, inverters, chargers, batteries, and monitoring, and then documents it so it can be quoted, built, and supported. You will work hand in hand with our sales representatives and our Lead Installer, and you will see your designs through configuration and 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 engineer but you are serious about starting here, we want to talk to you. We invest in the people who invest in this industry. Engineers from other disciplines with some electrical knowledge and willingness to learn more are encouraged to apply. The Applications Engineer will need to bring the following behaviors and soft skills to the position: Initiative and self-direction; Eagerness to learn new technologies and skills; 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; Genuine interest in the customer's actual problem. The right answer is the system that fits their use, not necessarily the biggest one on the shelf; 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 Scope customer requirements — loads, runtime, autonomy, environment, budget — and translate them into a specified system of solar generation, inverters, chargers, lithium storage, distribution, and monitoring; Select and size equipment across our product lines, and know the tradeoffs between models well enough to defend the choice to a customer; Perform load analysis, energy budget, autonomy, string sizing, and voltage-drop calculations to right-size each system to the customer's actual use; Produce clear, complete wiring schematics, one-line diagrams, panel schedules, and bills of material that an installer can build from without guessing; Configure, program, and commission inverters, chargers, battery management systems, and remote monitoring and system management devices; Support the sales team on technical scoping calls, site assessments, quotes, and proposals, and support the installation team with field troubleshooting and as-built revisions; Provide post-sale technical support to customers, including the DIY customers we supply with detailed wiring schematics; Build and maintain reference designs, configuration templates, and standard bills of material so common projects stop being custom projects; Select and size conductors, overcurrent protection, disconnects, and grounding and bonding per NEC, ABYC, RVIA and applicable standards; Test, document, and troubleshoot completed systems, and feed what you learn back into our standard designs. 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; 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: Applications, field applications, or technical support engineering for an electrical or electronic product line; Power electronics design, test, or application engineering — inverters, converters, chargers, or motor drives; Renewable energy system design — solar PV, wind, or hybrid generation; Battery energy storage systems and battery management systems; Power distribution, substation, or utility engineering; Building electrical distribution design — panels, feeders, service entrance, load calculations; 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:

Bachelor's (Preferred) Ability to

Commute:

Delaware, OH 43015 (Required) Willingness to travel: 25% (Preferred)

Work Location:

In person