We Care Solar is an award-winning U.S. nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening health care and education in under-resourced countries by improving access to clean, reliable electricity. Since 2010, We Care Solar has designed and delivered compact, durable solar electric systems to energy-deficient health centers and schools, replacing candles and kerosene lanterns with bright, efficient LED lights and power for essential devices.

Solar for Healthcare: We Care Solar has worked with more than 75 partners across 50 countries, installing reliable solar power at more than 10,000 health facilities, supporting more than 23 million mothers and newborns to date. The We Care Solar Suitcase® is a compact solar electric system for medical lighting, mobile communication, and essential medical devices. Our Light Every Birth initiative is transforming maternal health care at the national level in select countries in Africa.

Solar for Education: Our hands-on STEM education program empowers students to learn about solar as a solution to local and global energy access challenges while gaining skills in engineering, electricity, and problem solving while assembling specialized Solar Suitcase Learning Kits. We Share Solar’s largest programs are in the United States, notably Minnesota, California, Illinois, and Florida. We have run STEM education programs in East Africa with a goal of expanding this program to African countries aligned with our Light Every Birth programming.

Position Overview:

The Engineer will be responsible for collaborating technically on curriculum and documentation development, managing alternate part sourcing for our manufacturing processes, procuring and shipping one-off tools and items for installer toolkits, managing, improving, and standardizing CAD drawings for our engineering team, assisting in product design reviews, and mentoring non-technical team members as they increase their technical competency. The ideal candidate works hard without a lot of supervision, is willing to help out with any task required, has strong project-management skills and is eager to work on a team for a common vision. International and domestic travel may be required up to 5% of time (1-2 trips per year).

This position will report to the Director of Engineering (who is based in Colorado). We are a fun, strong and cohesive team that is currently working remotely. While we prefer this position to be located in the San Francisco Bay area or greater Denver, we will consider remote candidates who can work during PST time zone.

Key Responsibilities:

Design/Manufacturing 40%

• Source parts for manufacturing and provide alternate parts sourcing when necessary to ensure uninterrupted production.
• Manage and improve CAD drawings & BOMs for engineering team, ensuring accuracy and adherence to design standards across our organization.
• Assist in product design reviews by providing technical insights and recommendations.
• Attend weekly meetings with all manufacturers and suppliers, and stay familiar with ongoing supply and manufacturing issues.
• Assist in tracking program production demands and supply to ensure we have an adequate inventory on hand and in production to meet our program needs.
• Work closely with finance team to handle manufacturing finance reports during yearly audits.
• Design and source new parts for current & legacy systems as necessary
• Improve existing hardware/software designs

Field/Implementation Support 40%

• Collaborate with programmatic team members to provide a technical perspective while developing teaching curriculum and other documentation across both healthcare and education divisions.
• Procure and deliver tools and other miscellaneous items for installer toolkits to manufacturers to ship internationally to our technical installer partners globally.
• Assist in creating Standard Operating Procedure documents for basic troubleshooting of equipment for field staff.
• Work with Programs and Engineering on in-country field incident reporting structure and review, manage and respond reports and problems creating new documentation where sees fit.
• Setup and optimize a system to triage problems and interact with field technicians
• Pursue all field issues to understanding (within reason) of root cause, including working with component makers and vendors to drive resolution
• Assess and setup in-country sources for hard-to-ship parts like lithium batteries and panels
• Help assess and define structural best practices for installation designs to limit possible risks in the field

Other 20%

• Take on special engineering projects, from definition to delivery
• Become Dangerous Goods Shipper certified and become expert on regulations, agencies, required documentation, trends, etc. of shipping lithium batteries

Requirements and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 1-2 years of demonstrated work experience in a technical design or technical management role.
• Strong proficiency in AutoCAD and Inventor to manage/create parts drawings.
• Strong proficiency in solar PV and its different components.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Proficient in reading and understanding electronic component spec sheets in order to accept, reject, and/or find suitable part replacements as necessary.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Flexibility to work in a small organization with multiple stakeholders (Contract Manufacturer, Product Engineering, Programs and Finance)
• Knowledge of construction methods, best building practices, ability to spot structural issues before problems occur
• Extensive experience with hands-on building: climbing on roofs, using/selecting proper tools, mechanical/electrical repair and maintenance

You'll Impress Us If:

• You have installed solar systems before and have knowledge of off-grid DC appliances (i.e. vaccine fridges, water treatment, communications, security lighting, etc.)
• You have experience creating and maintaining technical documentation
• You have worked in the non-profit space
• You have lived or worked in an international or multi-cultural environment
• You like to fix things

What We Offer

• Mission-driven work. Our work has a direct impact for millions of mothers and newborns. You will see and feel the impact of your work on a daily basis.
• Competitive salaries. A competitive salary commensurate with experience and based on geographic location.
• Comprehensive benefits. Health, dental, eye insurance, 28+ paid vacation days and holidays, paid family leave, and employer contributed 401k.
• Flexible work schedule. We pride ourselves on offering a flexible and fun environment while achieving our mission. You’ll have autonomy to create a schedule that brings your best work, including working remotely and setting hours of work.
• Strong culture. A working environment that values humility, integrity, inclusion, professional growth, and learning.
• Talented and dedicated team. A collaborative, hard-working, international team that is willing to do what it takes to get the job done, is committed to learning and improving, but laughs often and creates time for having fun.

We Care Solar’s work has earned global recognition for advancing reliable solar electricity in healthcare and education. Recent honors include selection as an awardee of Pivotal Ventures’ 2025 Action for Women’s Health, as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Africa Solar Industry Association for co-founder Dr. Laura Stachel. The organization is also a recipient of the Zayed Sustainability Prize and the UNFCCC Momentum for Change Award, and has been featured by leading global media, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, and BBC World News.

We are a mission focused organization and team that likes to have fun while doing serious work. Our team includes global staff from seven of our priority countries in Africa and U.S.-based staff across seven states. Many of our team members have been with We Care Solar for more than five years. We are extremely committed to providing a positive and flexible work environment (virtually and in-person) while ensuring that we are able to deliver cost effective programs with high impact.