What are the responsibilities and job description for the Mechatronics Engineer position at Planted Solar?
First, the good news: The world now has over 1.7 terawatts of cumulative solar capacity and solar PV is the lowest-cost source of energy generation worldwide.
The challenge: The world must build 3 terawatts of new solar capacity every year for the next 25 years.
Planted is creating new technology to overhaul how the industry develops and builds solar power resources. And we need help. We're expanding our team of ambitious, curious, and hands-on engineers and operators. Come own large parts of product, company, or business development and help power the world with 100% clean energy.
About The Role
As a core part of the R D team, you will work on a wide range of engineering challenges spanning hardware, software, and system integration. This role offers the opportunity to work closely with a cross-functional engineering team with a highly talented group of engineers from varied backgrounds. You will own projects from ideation through implementation, ensuring our robotic systems operate efficiently and reliably in challenging field environments.
The salary range for this full-time position is $110,000 - $150,000 plus stock and benefits. Pay within the range is based on candidate experience, job-specific skills, education, and work location. The target experience for the position is 3-5 years.
Responsibilities
- Design, test, and integrate electronics hardware, wiring schematics, and power/control systems.
- Perform new hardware bring-up, including embedded systems, CAN Bus devices, and PLCs.
- Write Python software for data analysis and automation.
- Develop and execute robot bring-up, calibration, and testing procedures.
- Implement and refine robot-to-robot verification processes.
- Generate and maintain robotic system requirements and documentation.
- Work with mechanical and software teams to support system-level integration and manufacturability.
- Assist in manufacturing handoff, ensuring designs are ready for production.
- Perform system-level troubleshooting, identifying and resolving issues across electrical, mechanical, and software domains.
Qualifications
- Experience in robotics, embedded systems, or hardware/software integration.
- Ability to design and interpret electronics hardware wiring schematics.
- Knowledge of advanced electronics, including power and control systems.
- Hands-on experience with new hardware bring-up and embedded system debugging.
- Familiarity with industrial communication protocols (CANOpen, EtherCAT, etc)
- Real Time Programing Experience (PLC, microcontrollers etc),
- Strong Python programming skills for data analysis and automation.
- Experience with robot bring-up, calibration, and verification.
- Experience with manufacturing handoff and design-for-production principles.
- Strong systems-level troubleshooting ability.
Bonus Qualifications
- Experience with Python programming for ROS nodes.
- Familiarity with control algorithms and real-time control systems.
- Experience working with robotics in harsh environments (construction, ag-tech, industrial).
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
- Pre-tax commuter benefits
- 401(k)
- A chance to have an empowered, meaningful, and early role in climate
This will be a great fit if:
You want to solve challenging problems
- You are biased toward 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
