Design Engineer – Solar Power Projects

1. Role Objective To ensure all solar power plant designs are technically accurate, execution-ready, and compliant with applicable standards. The Design Engineer acts as a design validator and quantity checker, responsible for reviewing vendor drawings, performing shading and yield analysis, verifying material quantities, and ensuring that every engineering decision supports long-term generation reliability and cost optimization. 2. Key Responsibilities A. Design Preparation & Validation ● Prepare and review complete solar PV system designs—including array layout, string configuration, cable sizing, inverter sizing, and protection schemes. ● Perform shading analysis and energy yield simulations using PVsyst, Helioscope, or equivalent tools. ● Validate all design checkpoints, including voltage drop, current carrying capacity, inverter loading, and fault-level calculation. ● Verify BoQ quantities and ensure design–procurement–execution alignment. ● Cross-check vendor and EPC drawings (SLD, GA, earthing, lightning, structural) and issue approval/non-approval notes with technical justification. B. Quantity & Design Integrity ● Independently estimate quantities of major components: modules, inverters, cables, earthing pits, and structural supports. ● Identify design-level mismatches or overdesign that can impact project cost or execution feasibility. ● Maintain a Design Validation Register tracking deviations and design clarifications. C. Standards & Compliance ● Ensure every design complies with relevant standards such as IEC, IS, CEA, and MNRE. ● Validate the adequacy of earthing, lightning protection, and fire safety systems per IS 3043, IS 2309, and NBC. ● Check equipment ratings and protection settings against operational requirements. D. Coordination & Documentation ● Coordinate with internal teams, EPCs, and vendors for technical clarifications and drawing revisions. ● Maintain version-controlled Design Basis Reports (DBR) and Design Review Checklists. ● Support field engineers with design interpretation, as-built validation, and change note approval. ● Prepare summary notes highlighting key design risks and recommendations for approval meetings. 3. Required Skills & Competencies ● Proficient in AutoCAD, PVsyst, Helioscope, and MS Excel (formulas for sizing, BoQ, and validation). ● Strong understanding of electrical system design, earthing & lightning, cable management, and HT/LT integration. ● Hands-on experience in shading analysis, yield estimation, and layout optimization. ● Working knowledge of IS / IEC standards relevant to solar PV systems. ● Analytical mindset with an ability to catch discrepancies early and communicate them effectively. ● Strong documentation and reporting discipline. 4. Qualification & Experience ● Education: B.E. / B.Tech in Electrical Engineering (mandatory). ● Experience: Minimum 3+ years or 200 MW+ cumulative design experience in solar PV (ground-mounted, rooftop, or hybrid). ● Preferred: Exposure to vendor validation, tender engineering, and design–execution coordination. 5. Performance Metrics (KPIs) KPI Target / Expectation Design-to-Execution Accuracy ≤ 3% deviation between design & actual quantities Shading / Yield Validation Accuracy ≤ 2% deviation between simulation & actual generation Drawing Review Turnaround Within 48 hours of receipt Design Compliance 100% adherence to IEC / IS standards Red Flag Detection 100% major deviations flagged pre-execution 6. Key Traits ● Detail-oriented and verification-driven. ● Technically assertive — able to approve or reject with confidence. ● Strong communicator with documentation discipline. ● Balances engineering judgment with project practicality