📍 Job Overview

Job Title: PGD Engineer - Panel Performance Engineer
Company: NextEra Energy
Location: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, United States
Job Type: On-site
Category: Engineering
Date Posted: June 17, 2025
Experience Level: 5-10 years

🚀 Role Summary

Key Responsibilities: Manage panel flash testing program, operate mobile lab, conduct root-cause analysis, and provide data analytics.
Key Skills: Solar power, panel flash testing, data analytics, root-cause analysis, troubleshooting, vendor management, reliability engineering, Six Sigma.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role focuses on solar power generation and requires a strong background in engineering and solar-specific skills.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Manage Panel Flash Testing Program: Oversee the testing process, ensuring it adheres to top-tier standards, and act as the single point of contact for panel manufacturers.
Operate Mobile Lab: Utilize a state-of-the-art mobile lab to conduct panel flash testing and perform data analytics on test results.
Conduct Root-Cause Analysis (RCA): Investigate critical or persistent issues with solar panels, identify root causes, and recommend solutions.
Assist Operations Team: Provide general DC field support and troubleshooting as needed.
Create Reliability Failure Rate Curves: Develop spare parts strategy by analyzing component-level failure rates.
Travel Requirements: 50%-80% travel required to move the mobile lab trailer between sites.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a significant amount of travel and the ability to move materials weighing up to 50 pounds.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering.

Experience: At least 5 years of experience in solar, with a preference for experience conducting RCAs and working with vendors.

Preferred Skills:

Six Sigma Greenbelt or higher
Experience with data analytics tools
Familiarity with solar panel testing standards

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated, having experience with solar panel testing and data analysis tools would be beneficial for this role.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Demonstrate experience with solar panel testing, including flash testing and data analysis.
Showcase problem-solving skills through examples of root-cause analysis and troubleshooting.
Highlight any experience with vendor management and reliability engineering.

Technical Documentation:

Provide documentation of past projects, including test results, data analysis, and recommendations.
Include any relevant certifications or training, such as Six Sigma.

📝 Enhancement Note: As this role involves managing a testing program and providing data-driven insights, a well-documented portfolio showcasing these skills will be crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $85,000 - $120,000 per year (based on industry standards for a Solar Fleet DC Field Engineer with 5-10 years of experience in Florida).

Benefits:

Health, dental, and vision insurance
Retirement savings plans
Employee stock purchase plan
Paid time off and holidays
Tuition assistance
Employee discounts

Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with additional hours as needed for travel and on-site support.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the salary range is an estimate based on industry standards, the benefits package is comprehensive and competitive for the industry.

🎯 Team & Company Context

Company Culture:

Industry: Energy, focusing on renewable energy generation and distribution.
Company Size: Large, with over 14,000 employees.
Founded: 1989, with a rich history in the energy industry.

Team Structure:

The team consists of engineers, operations specialists, and support staff working together to maintain and optimize solar power generation.
The role reports directly to the Solar Fleet DC Field Manager.

Development Methodology:

The team follows a structured approach to engineering, with a focus on data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement.
Six Sigma methodologies are employed to ensure high-quality and reliable outcomes.

Company Website: NextEra Energy

📝 Enhancement Note: NextEra Energy is a leading energy company with a strong focus on renewable energy, providing a supportive and collaborative work environment for engineers.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: This role is an intermediate to senior-level position, requiring a solid background in engineering and solar-specific skills. It offers opportunities for growth in technical leadership and management.

Reporting Structure: The role reports directly to the Solar Fleet DC Field Manager, with a matrixed reporting structure to other functional leads as needed.

Technical Impact: The role has a significant impact on the reliability and performance of solar power generation, ensuring that panels meet top-tier testing standards and providing data-driven insights to optimize operations.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical Leadership: With experience, the role may evolve into a technical leadership position, overseeing a team of engineers and providing guidance on solar power generation strategies.
Specialization: The role offers opportunities to specialize in specific areas of solar power generation, such as panel testing, data analysis, or reliability engineering.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Working closely with operations and other functional teams provides opportunities to develop skills in project management, stakeholder communication, and strategic planning.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant opportunities for career growth, both in technical leadership and specialization, as well as in cross-functional collaboration and strategic planning.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site, with a significant amount of travel required to move the mobile lab trailer between sites.

Office Location(s): Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, with travel to various solar power generation sites throughout the United States.

Workspace Context:

The role involves working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, with a focus on data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement.
The mobile lab provides a state-of-the-art workspace for conducting panel flash testing and data analysis.
The role requires close collaboration with panel manufacturers, operations teams, and other functional leads.

Work Schedule: Full-time, with a flexible schedule to accommodate travel and on-site support requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role requires a flexible work schedule, with the ability to travel and work on-site as needed to support solar power generation operations.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Phone/Screen: A brief phone or video call to discuss the role, qualifications, and career goals.
On-site Interview: A visit to the Palm Beach Gardens office to meet with the hiring manager and other team members, including a tour of the mobile lab and a hands-on demonstration of panel flash testing.
Technical Assessment: A data analysis and problem-solving challenge, focusing on root-cause analysis and reliability engineering.
Final Interview: A discussion of the candidate's fit within the team and the company, as well as any remaining questions or concerns.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Highlight experience with solar panel testing, data analysis, and root-cause analysis.
Include examples of successful projects, with a focus on the impact and results achieved.
Showcase any relevant certifications or training, such as Six Sigma.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Brush up on solar power generation principles and panel testing standards.
Practice data analysis and problem-solving skills, with a focus on root-cause analysis and reliability engineering.
Familiarize yourself with the company's mission, values, and culture.

ATS Keywords: Solar power, panel flash testing, data analytics, root-cause analysis, troubleshooting, vendor management, reliability engineering, Six Sigma, energy, renewable energy, engineering, on-site, travel, mobile lab.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role is comprehensive, with a strong focus on technical skills and cultural fit. Preparation should include a deep understanding of solar power generation principles, data analysis, and root-cause analysis, as well as a strong familiarity with the company and its mission.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Frontend Technologies: Not applicable, as this role focuses on solar power generation and data analysis.

Backend & Server Technologies:

Solar panel testing software
Data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, SQL, Python, R)
Six Sigma software (e.g., Minitab, JMP, QI Macros)
Mobile lab hardware and software

Development & DevOps Tools:

Version control (e.g., Git)
Project management (e.g., Jira, Asana, Trello)
Collaboration (e.g., Microsoft Office, Google Workspace)
Communication (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack)

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack for this role is focused on solar power generation, data analysis, and project management. Familiarity with relevant tools and software is essential for success in this role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Web Development Values:

Data-Driven Decision-Making: The team prioritizes data-driven insights to optimize solar power generation and improve operations.
Continuous Improvement: The team is committed to ongoing learning and improvement, with a focus on Six Sigma methodologies.
Collaboration: The team works closely together, with a strong emphasis on communication, coordination, and mutual support.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-Functional Integration: The team works closely with operations, marketing, and other functional teams to ensure that solar power generation meets the needs of customers and stakeholders.
Peer Review: The team employs a peer review process for data analysis and problem-solving, ensuring that insights are robust and reliable.
Mentoring: The team provides mentoring and guidance to help team members develop their skills and advance their careers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture at NextEra Energy is collaborative, data-driven, and focused on continuous improvement. This approach enables the team to optimize solar power generation and provide high-quality, reliable energy to customers.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Panel Flash Testing: Ensuring that panel flash testing adheres to top-tier standards and meets the needs of customers and stakeholders.
Data Analysis: Extracting meaningful insights from test data and using them to optimize solar power generation and improve operations.
Root-Cause Analysis: Identifying the underlying causes of panel failures and developing strategies to prevent them in the future.
Vendor Management: Working with panel manufacturers to ensure that they meet the team's quality and performance expectations.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Technical Skills: Developing expertise in solar power generation, data analysis, and root-cause analysis.
Leadership Skills: Building skills in team management, strategic planning, and stakeholder communication.
Industry Knowledge: Gaining a deep understanding of the energy industry, including renewable energy trends, regulations, and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant opportunities for technical growth, as well as the development of leadership and industry-specific skills. The team's focus on data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement enables team members to stay at the forefront of the energy industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Solar Power Generation: Describe the principles of solar power generation and how panel flash testing fits into the overall process.
Data Analysis: Walk through a data analysis challenge, demonstrating your ability to extract meaningful insights from test data.
Root-Cause Analysis: Explain your approach to root-cause analysis and provide an example of a successful RCA you've conducted in the past.
Reliability Engineering: Discuss your understanding of reliability engineering and how it applies to solar power generation.

Company & Culture Questions:

Company Mission: Explain how your work aligns with NextEra Energy's mission to create a sustainable energy future.
Team Dynamics: Describe your preferred working style and how you would contribute to the team's collaborative and data-driven culture.
Career Growth: Discuss your long-term career goals and how this role fits into your plans for professional development.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Data Visualization: Use clear and engaging data visualizations to communicate your findings and recommendations.
Storytelling: Frame your projects and accomplishments as compelling narratives, highlighting the impact and results achieved.
Interactive Demonstration: Use interactive tools and platforms to engage the interview panel and showcase your technical skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation for this role should focus on developing a deep understanding of solar power generation, data analysis, and root-cause analysis, as well as a strong familiarity with the company and its mission. The interview process is comprehensive, with a strong emphasis on technical skills and cultural fit.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this PGD Engineer - Panel Performance Engineer position:

Customize Your Portfolio: Highlight your experience with solar panel testing, data analysis, and root-cause analysis, with a focus on the impact and results achieved.
Optimize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to emphasize your relevant skills and experience, with a focus on solar power generation, data analysis, and problem-solving.
Prepare for the Interview: Brush up on solar power generation principles, data analysis, and root-cause analysis, as well as the company's mission, values, and culture.
Research the Company: Familiarize yourself with NextEra Energy's history, industry position, and competitive advantages, as well as any recent news or developments.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with NextEra Energy before making application decisions.

PGD Engineer- Panel Performance Engineer