The posting
The world needs 3 TW of new solar capacity every year. The legacy approach of developing and building infrastructure is mathematically incapable of catching up.
Planted is the autonomous power deployment company. We transform power plants from bespoke construction projects into manufactured products. By integrating planning software, high-density arrays, energy storage, and field robots, we deliver more power where it's needed most.
The physics are solved; what remains is relentless execution. Led by repeat founders and an engineering core from SpaceX and Tesla, we are backed by Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Piva Capital, Google, Gigascale Capital, Khosla Ventures, and RA Capital Management.
We’re scaling fast and looking for operators and engineers who want to own real pieces of the system. You don't need a traditional energy background; we care whether you can finish hard things. Come build with us.
ABOUT THE ROLE
As Civil Project Engineer you will own design and engineering of the civil aspects of Planted Solar’s projects, ranging in size from distributed generation (DG) to utility scale. You will support solar site design, specifically focused on the civil discipline, while balancing optimization of energy production, schedule, and labor and material costs. This role is a key interface with customers, independent engineers, and permitting agencies to ensure Planted projects meet all civil engineering requirements.
This role offers the opportunity to work closely with talented engineering and business teams with a high degree of empowerment and autonomy. We are looking for a technically excellent hands-on engineer with experience deploying solar at scale. You will be a key part of driving project outcomes.
The annual salary range for this full-time position is $115,000 - $150,000 plus stock options and benefits. Pay within the range is based on candidate experience, job-specific skills, education, and work location. The target experience for the position is 3-5 years.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Review and validate site civil designs provided by customers' Engineers of Record (EOR) to ensure they are fully constructible and compatible with Planted Solar’s array systems and installation methods.
- Analyze site topography to identify potential problem areas within the solar design (e.g., steep slopes, ditches, existing drainage features) and determine if any site grading or earthwork is required prior to array installation.
- Review, confirm, and provide design input for all temporary and permanent access roads, equipment pathways, and material laydown/staging areas to ensure safe and efficient construction logistics.
- Travel to project sites to perform thorough constructability assessments, verifying that proposed civil designs align with actual on-the-ground conditions.
- Manage and coordinate with external surveying and mapping subcontractors responsible for delivering topographic surveys and Digital Elevation Models (DEMs).
- Act as the primary civil engineering liaison among customers, external engineering firms, and local permitting authorities to ensure alignment on stormwater management requirements, SWPPP, and local civil ordinances.
- Advise on site vegetation requirements, including pre-construction clearing and seeding, and site stabilization.
- Work collaboratively with engineering teammates to produce holistic site designs.
- Champion improvements of the Planted system through critical feedback on hardware and software products
- Manage time efficiently across multiple projects
- Ensure compliance with company, industry, trade, and jurisdictional safety standards, practices, and codes
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, or other related discipline
- Experience with site civil design, land development, or construction—preferably within the utility-scale or commercial solar industry.
- Strong ability to read and interpret civil construction drawings, topographic maps, and grading plans.
- Ability to use design software to optimize site layouts based on geotechnical inputs.
- Experience with geotechnical analysis, digital elevation models, GIS, mapping, and coordinate frames.
- Experience estimating civil construction costs, including roads, fencing, grading, clearing and grubbing, and trenching.
- A track record of organization, adaptability, attention to detail, and project management skills
- Ability to communicate among construction, technical and non-technical personnel, both internally and outside the company
- Hands-on attitude, strong ownership mentality, and resourcefulness.
- Inquisitive and not afraid to speak up to get necessary information or input
- Eagerness to navigate ambiguity, reduce reasonable risks, and make good decisions with imperfect knowledge
- Strong record of safe field operations and ability to integrate safety into product design and project operations
- Desire to work in a fast-paced startup environment
- Located in the SF Bay Area or willing to relocate for 100% in-person role
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Professional Engineering (PE) license.
- Experience with 2D CAD and 3D CAD tools, such as Civil3D or SolidWorks
- Geotechnical design experience with design of foundations, equipment pads, and/or utility trenches
- Field experience in a construction environment
- Experience with new product development
PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS
- A mix of desk work using standard office equipment and field activities
PHILOSOPHY ON QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPENSATION
Many people only apply for jobs if they believe they can perform every task in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and will consider equivalent combinations of knowledge, skills, education, and experience. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.
Additionally, we believe compensation should reflect the value people bring and give them a real stake in what we're building. Our total compensation package includes a base salary, meaningful equity through stock options, and benefits including company holidays, paid time off (PTO), and in-office lunches. Individual pay may vary within the posted range and is determined by a number of factors including relevant experience, skills, and location.
HOW WE WORK
We are using sunlight, software, and robots to power the world. It is historic work, and it is hard work. If you want a paved, predictable path, this isn't for you. If you'd rather invent the path, this is the best job you'll ever have.
- Call it out. We put big robots in the field alongside our crews and partners. Anyone can stop any operation at any time. The same trust runs everywhere: a bug in the code, a flaw in the plan, a risk in the dirt, a design that no longer makes sense. Say it while it's small and cheap to fix, directly to the person who can fix it. Sometimes that person is you.
- Commit and complete. We work problems, not tasks. A confident guess is not a commitment; “I'll find out by Thursday” is. If a date slips, say it early and bring the new plan. Every decision has one owner: bring data, argue hard, push back in the room, then the owner calls it and we lock arms. Execution compounds.
- Convention isn't evidence. “Industry standard” is a red flag. Most conventions were answers to constraints that no longer exist. We respect physics and obey the law. Everything else is a choice, and we get to make it.
- Let machines do the work. We are system builders: AI and robots do repetitive work in the field and in the office. Every task a machine takes over is a person out of harm's way or off the critical path. Solve a problem once, then build the tool, write the spec, and commit the doc so nobody has to solve it again. Doing it by hand once is fine. Twice means we need a tool.
Planted is an equal opportunity employer committed to growing inclusively, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, medical condition, age, or veteran status. However you identify, or whatever background you bring with you, please apply. We look forward to hearing from you.
