Senior Applications Engineer - Utility Scale Solar and Storage

Senior Applications Engineer, Utility Scale Solar and Storage
Remote (Eastern or Central time zone)

This is a power electronics and applications engineering role, not a software engineering position. We are looking for candidates with hands on electrical or mechanical engineering backgrounds in utility scale solar PV and battery storage systems.

LOCATION AND WORK MODEL

This position is remote and requires residence in the Eastern or Central time zone within the continental United States, to support customers in the region and to align with the U.S. sales organization and SMA headquarters in Germany. The role includes visits to customer locations within the region.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The Senior Applications Engineer serves as a technical product specialist for utility scale PV and Battery Energy Storage solutions and systems. The role advises SMA’s customers across North America by analyzing system specifications and requirements, reviewing and proposing system designs, and supporting the sales organization through technical expertise and joint customer engagement, including meetings at customer locations. The ideal candidate brings hands on utility scale PV and BESS experience, a working knowledge of power electronics, a collaborative approach, and the ability to work cross functionally across U.S. and global teams.

PRIMARY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as a senior technical specialist for SMA, assisting customers with technical questions via telephone, email, and face to face meetings, including visits to customer locations within the region.
• Review customer and utility interconnection requirements and help select the appropriate SMA products and services; assist customers in the project design process and support key and EPC customers.
• Serve as a liaison between the U.S. sales team and the technical team at SMA headquarters in Germany.
• Create and deliver internal and external technical training materials and presentations.
• Develop sales materials for use by the sales team during customer meetings and new client engagements.
• Conduct competitor analysis and provide technical argumentation to effectively compete against analyzed products and solutions.
• Attend industry conferences and trade shows as necessary.
• Interface with product management, engineering, and service teams to ensure alignment on technical requirements.
• Other duties as may be required or assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical or mechanical engineering, or equivalent hands on industry experience, is required. A master’s degree in electrical or mechanical engineering is a strong plus.
• Minimum 5 to 7 years of hands on experience in renewable energy engineering, with direct work on PV or battery storage systems and solutions.
• Direct experience with utility scale PV or battery storage projects. Residential and commercial experience alone does not meet this requirement.
• Working knowledge of PVsyst or similar PV system modeling tools, applied in real project work.
• Sound knowledge of the U.S. energy sector, including applicable norms, standards, and regulations.
• Knowledge of battery systems and solutions.
• Residence in the Eastern or Central time zone within the continental United States, with the ability to meet customers at their locations in the region and to work core business hours aligned to Eastern time on a consistent basis.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• In depth knowledge of power electronics, including inverters and transformers.
• In depth knowledge of power systems design.
• Product selection experience for utility scale PV or BESS projects.
• NABCEP certification, PVIP or similar, or an equivalent industry credential.
• Knowledge of solar electric PV installation and system design.
• Knowledge of the energy sector in Mexico or Central America.
• Proven ability to collaborate cross functionally and perform effectively in a fast paced environment managing multiple projects concurrently.
• Willingness to travel periodically domestically and internationally, including to Canada, Latin America, and SMA headquarters in Kassel, Germany.
• Proficiency in English, with strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

WE OFFER

• Base salary range of $125,000 to $145,000 annually, dependent on experience, plus a $12,000 annual target bonus.
• Medical plan options through Aetna, plus Kaiser in California, including a $0 premium option, with SMA covering about 90% or more of medical premiums and contributing up to $1,500 a year to your HSA on the high deductible plan.
• $0 employee only dental and vision options, plus short and long term disability and $50,000 in life and AD&D insurance at no cost.
• 16 days of PTO, increasing with tenure, plus 12 paid holidays.
• 401k plan with a 100% match up to 5%.
• Tuition reimbursement and opportunities for professional development.
• Remote first work schedule. Continental U.S. candidates in the Eastern or Central time zone only.
• Relocation assistance available.
• Inclusive, collaborative, and innovative work environment with global cross functional exposure.

WORK AUTHORIZATION

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full time basis. SMA America does not offer employment visa sponsorship of any kind, including H-1B, OPT, CPT, or TN visas. Candidates who currently require or will in the future require visa sponsorship are not eligible for this role. Candidates operating under a temporary work permit or any visa tied employment authorization are also not eligible. This position is open to candidates located within the continental United States only.

AI ASSISTED APPLICATION MATERIALS

We welcome candidates who use AI tools to organize or polish their application materials. Your resume and responses must accurately reflect your own experience and be written in your own voice. Applications that include fabricated or exaggerated experience, hidden text or embedded instructions, or prescreen responses that do not reflect your own knowledge may be removed from consideration. We want to hear your story: the work you have done, the results you have delivered and the experience you would bring to SMA.

RECRUITMENT FRAUD NOTICE

All SMA America openings are posted on our official careers page and all recruiter communication comes from an @sma-america.com address. We never request payment, banking information, or a Social Security number during the recruitment process. If you are contacted about an SMA America role from a personal email account, or asked for any of the above, please forward the message to [email protected].