Civil Project Engineer

Join the team changing how power gets built.

If you’re motivated by hard engineering and infrastructure development problems with visible, lasting impact, you belong at Planted .

The world needs new solar built about five times faster than the industry has ever managed. Planted is building the system that closes that gap: software, robots, and hardware that put more power in the ground, faster. Every project we deploy brings abundant, affordable energy closer to reality. Our team spent years building physical infrastructure and watched time and complexity pile up between first concept and commercial operation. So we rebuilt the process as one system, with design connected directly to robots in the field. Nobody has done what we do before. The work is tangible: at the end of a deployment, you stand in a field and see the power plant your work made real.

Autonomous machinery runs alongside crews every day. Anyone can stop any operation, and that call outranks the schedule.

Great work here compounds. Build the tool, write the doc, and give the next person a head start; wins get celebrated by name, with credit shared widely.

Commitment is the product

"I’ll find out by Thursday" beats a confident guess, but once you name Thursday, Thursday is real. Problems get named while they're small, and changes get heard early, with a plan.

Convention isn't evidence

"Industry standard" is not a reason; most conventions came from constraints that no longer exist. Physics and the law are the limits; everything else is a choice, and we get to make it.

One owner, final call

Every decision has one owner, and you get handed problems, not tasks. Bring your data, argue it in the room, then let the owner call it and move on.

Machines do the toil

Office and field work on the same logic: if AI, software, or robots can do the task better or cheaper, a person shouldn't be doing it.

Open roles

Senior Civil Engineer - Solar

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 our lead civil subject matter expert, you'll make sure every Planted site is buildable before our robotic installation machines arrive. Because our arrays follow the terrain instead of requiring a flat site, the civil questions are different from typical solar: how accurately do we know the ground, where does slope exceed what the array can follow, what has to change before construction starts, and what is the optimal site configuration for construction?

You'll own the survey, slope and topography data for each project, review customers' civil designs for constructability, and act as Planted's civil voice with customers, engineers of record and permitting agencies. Projects range from distributed generation to utility scale across the US. 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.

This role is based in our Oakland, CA office, with occasional (<10%) travel to project sites. Relocation assistance is available for candidates moving to the Bay Area.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Act as Planted’s primary civil engineering subject matter expert, from the early stages of project development through construction.
• Own survey data for each project. Scope and manage surveying and drone-mapping vendors, verify ground control and coordinate systems, and QC topographic surveys and DEMs/DTMs before they're used in design.
• Design access roads and equipment laydown areas for safe, efficient construction logistics.
• Review civil designs from customers' engineers of record for compatibility with Planted's arrays and installation methods.
• Analyze site topography to identify slopes, drainage features and areas that need grading or earthwork before installation.
• Visit project sites to verify that designs match actual conditions.
• Serve as the civil liaison with customers, engineers of record and permitting agencies on stormwater, SWPPP, site stabilization and local civil requirements.
• Own project-specific civil cost scope definition and cost estimating. Support contracting civil-subcontractors.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, or other related discipline
• 8+ years in site civil design, land development or construction, ideally in utility-scale solar or energy infrastructure
• Ability to read and interpret grading plans, topographic maps and civil drawings
• Experience with survey data, DEMs/DTMs and coordinate systems
• Proficiency in Civil 3D or similar
• A track record of organization, adaptability, attention to detail, and project management skills
• Located in the SF Bay Area or willing to relocate for in‑person role

NICE TO HAVE

• Experience estimating civil construction costs, including roads, fencing, grading, clearing and grubbing, and trenching.
• 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

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS

A mix of desk work using standard office equipment

This role may require occasional (<10%) travel to project sites

WHAT WE OFFER

• 11 paid company holidays and flexible Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Company-paid in-office lunches
• Stock options
• Medical, vision, dental, and other benefits
• 401(k)

This will be a great fit if:

You want to solve challenging problems

You are fiercely outcome-driven

You are biased towards action and focus on the vital work that drives the most impact

You prioritize the physical and psychological safety of yourself and those around you

You are humble, embrace change, and deliver and receive candid feedback

You are optimistic about the future and can make tough decisions to help get there

You have high expectations and coach, develop, and make time to help others

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.

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.

Compensation Range: $160K - $190K

Backed by the investors and innovators shaping the future of power

Planted has been named one of TIME Magazine’s Top GreenTech Companies of 2026. We’re grateful for the recognition and focused on the work: projects in the ground, machines in the field, and a growing list of developers and IPPs building faster on sites that used to be out of reach.

Six months ago, Planted had 2 MW in the ground. We’ve now deployed 44 MW across four U.S. states.Field execution is repeatable, smooth, and precise. Results get better with each deployment. Planted