Senior Mechanical Engineer

The solar industry needs a global end-of-life partner to restore, renew, and ultimately recycle yesterday’s solar panels for tomorrow’s clean energy projects. SOLARCYCLE aims to be the partner of choice for solar asset owners looking for a responsible solution to their end-of-life system needs. And we need you to direct our field operations to help us become a leader in this new burgeoning sector in the renewable energy industry.

About the role

We are looking for an experienced professional engineer with a strong track record of successfully designing, project managing, building, and implementing innovative mechanical solutions. The ideal candidate has proven experience with strong program management combined with individual technical contributions in the field of mechanical engineering. The position is based in the greater Atlanta area, with an expectation to relocate to Cedartown, Georgia, within 8-12 months. Initially, the role will require regular travel to Odessa, TX, where our first-generation solar panel recycling facility is located.

Responsibilities

• Equipment Design & Development: Lead the design and development of mechanical systems and equipment for solar panel recycling, ensuring that they meet performance, reliability, and safety standards. Visualize and implement process and equipment automations to help the SOALRCYCLE team scale into a high-volume manufacturing operation
• Equipment Fabrication & Assembly: Lead the fabrication, assembly, and testing of prototypes and equipment. Oversee the transition from design to manufacturing, ensuring that prototypes are built to specification.
• Technical Problem Solving: Apply engineering principles to create innovative and efficient mechanical solutions for adverse problems.
• Project & Supplier Management: Manage the full lifecycle of mechanical equipment and process related projects. Manage the suppliers that build your designs.
• Technical Documentation: Prepare detailed technical drawings, specifications, and documentation for prototypes and mechanical systems. Ensure all documentation is accurate and up to date. Complete “Equipment Procurement Review” documentation to justify the ROI and installation plans of proposed new equipment.
• Testing & Troubleshooting: Conduct rigorous testing of new high-volume manufacturing equipment to identify and resolve mechanical issues. Troubleshoot problems that arise during the testing phase and implement solutions efficiently.
• Technical Reporting: Generate comprehensive technical reports that outline project progress, findings, and recommendations. Present findings to the Director of Engineering and other stakeholders as required using tech-enabled project management tools.
• Support & Collaboration: Provide technical support and guidance to the R&D team, junior engineers, operators, maintenance personnel, and many other teams in the pursuit of assisting with problem-solving activities and contributing to the continuous improvement of our processes and products.
• Travel Requirements: Travel regularly to Odessa, TX, for the first 8 – 12 months to work at our first-generation recycling facility. Assist in transferring knowledge and best practices to the Cedartown facility, which will commence operations in October 2025.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in mechanical design and development, preferably within the recycling or sustainability sector.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience in planning, designing, and building prototypes, tools, or equipment.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience in scaling up mechanical equipment into high-volume manufacturing capable equipment
• Strong proficiency in CAD software for mechanical design, such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical engineering principles, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Creative thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop innovative solutions for adverse problems.
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities, with a proven track record of working effectively in a team environment.
• Detail-oriented with good organizational skills, capable of managing multiple projects and priorities.
• Computer Skills: Proficient in rapid communications using a mobile device and laptop. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite

You don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. If you think this role is for you but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right person for this role.

You will be working alongside a highly successful team who deliver amazing innovative work in the solar PV industry! The solar industry needs a global end-of-life partner to restore, renew and ultimately recycle yesterday’s solar panels for tomorrow’s clean energy projects. SOLARCYCLE aims to be the partner of choice for solar asset owners looking for a responsible solution to their end-of-life system needs.

Solar power is one of the most powerful tools humanity has in our fight against climate change. But for solar to truly scale to its full potential, we need to create renewable supply chains and a vibrant secondary market for upcycled panels and recycled materials. Since its launch in 2022, SOLARCYCLE has assembled a world-class management team with experience scaling companies and organizations such as Amazon, Nextracker, Sierra Club, Solaria, and SunPower. The company has secured high-volume contracts with industry leaders such as AES, EDF Renewables North America, EDP Renewables North America, Greenbacker, Ørsted, Qcells, Silfab, Silicon Ranch, and Sunrun. This is the next frontier – ensuring a cleaner, more sustainable and domestic supply of the critical minerals needed for the next wave of solar. We exist to make clean energy massively scalable and even more sustainable by radically advancing recycling technology and infrastructure for the solar industry. If this resonates with you, we really want to meet you.