DescriptionTitle: Senior Structural Engineer , Computational Tools & Automation
Department: Tech Center - Product R&D
Location: United States
Supervisor: VP, Product R&D
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Status: Permanent, Full-time
Work Status : Remote
SENIOR STRUCTURAL ENGINEER , COMPUTATIONAL TOOLS & AUTOMATION
SUMMARY
This is your chance to join the rapidly growing utility solar energy industry! Qcells is an integrated solar company that offers custom-designed single-axis solar tracking systems, photovoltaic modules, and associated automated assembly equipment. Qcells also offers full services, including engineering, geotechnical, pullout testing, field and layout design services to address physical site conditions. Qcells has completed of 3.5 GW of solar racking installations in over 40 states, 9 Canadian provinces and across the globe.
We are currently seeking a Senior Structural Engineer, Computational Tools & Automation , to work with our cross-functional business units to design and implement solar energy collection systems and automated robotic assembly equipment.
This position reports to the VP of Product R&D or another management personnel that the CEO of the Company may designate. This position is Remote and working hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm or 9:00am to 6:00pm local time. This position is expected to travel up to 20 %.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop structural system design optimization tools for solar trackers and solar fields as a member of the R&D engineering team
- Apply agentic coding tools and AI coding assistants (e.g., Claude Code, GitHub Copilot) within VS Code, Visual Studio, or similar IDEs to rapidly develop engineering analysis tools, validating all AI-generated code and results against first-principles engineering physics
- D eriv e component loads and product configurations from analysis of wind tunnel coefficients, snow loads, seismic conditions, and site-specific inputs such as grading requirements and foundation specifications
- Perform system-level resonance and structural response analys e s using finite element methods in Ansys or similar software
- Participate in component-level product conceptual design and brainstorming activities utilizing SolidWorks for CAD modeling and Ansys for structural finite element analysis
- Perform hands-on testing of prototype products in laboratory and field conditions
- Define software and data requirements needed for development activities and submit business justification requests to support
- Review and manage product FMEA documents and calculation reports
- Build and refine economic optimization models including component cost, supply logistics, installation labor, and product performance
- Ensure compliance with industry standards and established design codes
- Confidently communicate design recommendations to peer and management level audiences
- Execute project assignments in accordance with the fundamental engineering principles of statics and mechanics
- Meet with cross-functional teams to align system-level design inputs to project execution
- Conduct research and stay current on solar and utility power market trends
- As a remote employee, d emonstrate the ability to independently manage priorities and deliver project schedules
- Regular attendance, in accordance with company's attendance policy and supervisory assignment, is an essential job duty requirement for this position .
- Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned by Management
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent (advanced degrees are valued and may be applied to the professional experience requirements)
- Working proficiency in Python or similar scripting languages for engineering data analysis (NumPy, SciPy, pandas, or equivalent)
- 2+ years' experience with agentic coding tools and AI coding assistants (e.g., Claude Code, GitHub Copilot) in VS Code, Visual Studio, or similar IDEs for engineering software development
- 8 + years' experience in mechanical engineering with a focus on system analysis , wind tunnel evaluation, and component load derivation
- 8 + years' experience in new product development or R&D with SolidWorks or an equivalent mechanical CAD package
- 8 + years' e xperience with static structural finite element analysis software, Ansys or equivalent
- Advanced analytical and mathematical skills
- Excellent communication skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Professional e ngineering licensure
- Experience developing industry-leading utility-scale solar trackers and/or solar fields
- Experience developing engineering optimization tools and user interfaces for derivation of site -specific load s and configurable product layouts
- Experience interpreting wind tunnel test data
- Working knowledge of solar tracking algorithms
- Demonstrable experience delivering on engineering requirements in a process-driven product development environment
EXAMPLES OF PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Stationary Position: frequently remains stationary up to 90% of the time and sitting up to 8 hours in a day
- Move/Traverse: infrequently bend, stand, stoop and/or walk
- Carry Weight: infrequently carry weight and/or lift objects (light to heavy) weighing up to 10 pounds
- Hearing and Speech: frequently communicates with the ability to hear and talk on a regular basis with employees, coworkers, and all personnel matters; must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
- Sight: frequent use of sight to detect images on computer, office documents, and office objects near and far
- Climb: occasionally ascends/descends on stairway to get to office upper and lower floors
- Travel: up to 2 0% as needed
EXAMPLES OF WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Regular professional, office business setting
- Noise level ranges from low to moderate (if in office setting)
- Noise level ranges from moderate to high (if on construction worksite)
- Under the Office Mobilization Plan (OMP) policy, the role may transition to an onsite or hybrid arrangement, as determined by business needs and the Head of Department
