Solar Energy Systems Engineer
Energy & Utilities
Perform site-specific engineering analysis or evaluation of energy efficiency and solar projects involving residential, commercial, or industrial customers. Design solar domestic hot water and space heating systems for new and existing structures, applying knowledge of structural energy requirements, local climates, solar technology, and thermodynamics.
What you'd do all day
The tasks that matter most in this job, most important first.
- 1Conduct engineering site audits to collect structural, electrical, and related site information for use in the design of residential or commercial solar power systems.
- 2Create plans for solar energy system development, monitoring, and evaluation activities.
- 3Design or coordinate design of photovoltaic (PV) or solar thermal systems, including system components, for residential and commercial buildings.
- 4Provide technical direction or support to installation teams during installation, start-up, testing, system commissioning, or performance monitoring.
- 5Create electrical single-line diagrams, panel schedules, or connection diagrams for solar electric systems, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
- 6Perform computer simulation of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation system performance or energy production to optimize efficiency.
- 7Review specifications and recommend engineering or manufacturing changes to achieve solar design objectives.
- 8Develop design specifications and functional requirements for residential, commercial, or industrial solar energy systems or components.
- 9Develop standard operation procedures and quality or safety standards for solar installation work.
- 10Create checklists for review or inspection of completed solar installation projects.
- 11Perform thermal, stress, or cost reduction analyses for solar systems.
- 12Test or evaluate photovoltaic (PV) cells or modules.
- 13Design or develop vacuum tube collector systems for solar applications.
Also known as
What this job is called on JobStreet, LinkedIn and in job ads. Search these too.
- Engineer
- Solar PE
- Solar Designer
- Solar Engineer
- Project Engineer
- Research Engineer
- Solar PV Designer
- Solar PV Engineer
- PV System Designer
- Consulting Engineer
How far is this from you?
Roughly how much preparation this job usually takes. In Malaysia your UPU route and the programme's syarat still decide entry, so treat this as a guide, not a gate.
1
Entry straight after SPM
2
SPM + sijil / short TVET course
3
Diploma / TVET (sijil–diploma)
Typical entry
Degree (ijazah sarjana muda)
5
Postgrad (sarjana / PhD) or professional route
Subjects that matter here
The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.
What you'd need to know
The subject areas this job leans on most, and the SPM subjects that build them.
- Engineering and Technology86%
PhysicsAdditional MathematicsDesign & Technology (RBT)
- Design83%
Visual Art (PSV)Technical Comm. GraphicsEngineering Drawing
- Building and Construction79%
Civil Engineering StudiesEngineering DrawingDesign & Technology (RBT)
- Mathematics76%
Additional MathematicsMathematics
- Mechanical71%
Mechanical Engineering StudiesPhysicsDesign & Technology (RBT)
- Computers and Electronics66%
Computer Science / ICTElectrical & Electronic Eng. Studies
Tools you'd use
Software and equipment that show up in this job, worth learning early.
What the work feels like
Day-to-day working conditions, so you can tell whether the job suits how you like to work.
- Face-to-face discussionsEvery day
- Contact with other peopleContact most of the time
- Dealing with customers or the publicHigh
- Indoors, air-conditionedEvery day
- Outdoors, in all weatherRarely
- Time spent standingA little
- Time walking or movingA little
- Hands-on work with tools or objectsA little
Where this job is heading
Newer tasks O*NET has flagged for this occupation, a hint at how the role is changing.
- Analyze meteorological data.
- Design electrical interconnections.
- Design wind turbine components.
- Estimate energy production by analyzing wind data.
AI and demand for this job
A few real, dated data points — not a single score. AI making some tasks faster usually means a job changes, not that it disappears.
Share of everyday tasks today's AI can already help with (2023)
This estimate is from 2023 — already out of date, since AI moves fast. Treat it as a rough, aging starting point, not the current picture.
Pay in Malaysia
We don't have a sourced Malaysian salary range for this job yet, and we'd rather show nothing than a number we can't stand behind.
Where to check:
- JobStreet and Hiredly job ads for this title
- DOSM Salaries & Wages Survey
- SSPA scheme tables, if you're aiming for a government post
Check what you may qualify for
Enter your SPM grades and see which routes and programmes you may qualify for. An estimate to plan with, not an offer.
How to get here
Post-SPM pathways with programmes in this career's fields. Tap one to see real programmes and entry requirements.
Related careers
If this interests you, these are worth a look too.
About this information
This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.
O*NET occupation: Solar Energy Systems Engineers
Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org