Solar Solutions Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Solar Solutions Design Manager

Company: SkySpecs

Location: United States (Remote OK)

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Revenue Operations / Solutions Design / GTM Enablement

Date Posted: 2026-08-27

Experience Level: Mid to Senior Level (5-10 years suggested)

Remote Status: Remote or Hybrid (Ann Arbor HQ)

🚀 Role Summary

• Serve as the primary subject-matter expert for solar solutions, bridging Sales, Solutions, Product, Operations, and Customer Success.

• Drive customer discovery, solution design, and sales support by understanding technical, operational, and commercial needs in the solar asset management space.

• Oversee customer onboarding and implementation, ensuring a seamless transition and high-quality service delivery in partnership with Customer Success and Delivery teams.

• Translate complex customer problems and use cases into actionable product requirements and robust operational processes for continuous improvement.

• Develop and maintain critical frameworks, playbooks, and reusable assets to enable customer-facing teams and standardize delivery processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a critical GTM (Go-To-Market) enablement function within a fast-growing renewable energy technology company. The "Solutions Design Manager" title indicates a strong emphasis on understanding customer needs, architecting tailored solutions, and ensuring successful implementation, which directly impacts revenue generation and customer retention. The cross-functional nature of this role positions it as a key operational liaison.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct solar discovery and qualification calls, leveraging deep subject matter expertise to uncover client needs and pain points in utility-scale solar asset management.

• Design and articulate comprehensive solar solutions, including scopes of work and implementation plans, that align with customer operational workflows and deliver tangible value.

• Develop and support customer pricing models, ensuring alignment between proposed solutions, perceived customer value, and internal operational feasibility.

• Provide direct technical solar support and expertise to Sales and Solutions teams throughout the pre-sales cycle.

• Take ownership of solutioning for preventative maintenance programs, tailoring them to the unique requirements of specific solar asset owners and operators.

• Lead technical product demonstrations for prospective clients, effectively communicating the value proposition and key capabilities of SkySpecs' SaaS and inspection solutions.

• Partner with Customer Success and Delivery teams to guide customer onboarding and implementation, ensuring a smooth handoff and successful initial engagement.

• Advise on industry best practices for inspection workflows, data management, reporting, and ongoing solar asset operations.

• Collaborate with Inspection Operations and Delivery teams to troubleshoot implementation challenges, refine delivery playbooks, and uphold service quality standards.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and delivery playbooks specifically for solar customers.

• Lead data hand-off calls to clearly communicate inspection results, insights, and actionable recommendations to clients.

• Translate customer problems, use cases, and feedback into detailed product requirements and operational process enhancements.

• Identify and articulate gaps in the current product offering, integrations, workflows, and delivery capabilities, proposing pragmatic solutions.

• Partner with Product and Operations teams to validate product assumptions, prioritize feature enhancements, and refine solution designs and delivery models.

• Assist in the development of solar discovery frameworks, including qualification criteria, key questions, and common red flags.

• Create and maintain a comprehensive customer use-case library, documenting common workflows, pain points, and successful solution patterns.

• Document detailed implementation and inspection workflows, encompassing roles, data flows, timelines, and dependencies for both internal and external stakeholders.

• Produce essential sales and delivery enablement materials, such as positioning guides, talk tracks, competitive battlecards, objection handling frameworks, implementation checklists, and example project plans.

• Support the development and delivery of training programs for customer-facing teams (Sales, Delivery, CS, Operations) to ensure confident positioning and support of solar solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a hybrid role blending technical expertise, customer-facing sales support, and operational process development. This is typical for GTM Operations or Solutions Engineering roles that bridge the gap between product/engineering and revenue-generating teams, requiring a deep understanding of operational workflows within the target industry.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, or related field), Environmental Science, Business, or a related discipline is typically expected for roles requiring deep technical understanding and strategic problem-solving. An advanced degree or relevant certifications would be a plus.

Experience: 5-10 years of progressive experience in roles related to solar energy, asset management, technology solutions, or customer-facing technical functions.

Required Skills:

• Deep technical understanding of utility-scale solar asset management and field operations.

• Proven experience working directly with solar customers (e.g., developers, IPPs, asset owners, O&M providers).

• Demonstrated ability in customer-facing technical roles, solution/software sales, or pre-sales engineering.

• Hands-on experience with onboarding, implementation, or service delivery for solar technology, data, or software solutions.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to translate complex customer workflows into structured requirements and actionable delivery processes.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to produce clear frameworks, documentation, and training materials.

• Comfort and confidence in leading customer calls, guiding discovery sessions, and contributing as a subject-matter expert.

• Self-starter mentality with the ability to operate independently, prioritize high-impact activities, and manage multiple tasks effectively.

• Strong collaborative skills to work effectively across Sales, Solutions, Product, Operations, and Customer Success teams. Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with utility-scale wind energy operations and asset management.

• Experience with SaaS platforms and data analytics in the renewable energy sector.

• Knowledge of inspection technologies and methodologies relevant to solar assets.

• Familiarity with project management methodologies and tools.

• Experience in developing and delivering training materials or enablement programs.

• Understanding of CRM systems and their role in managing customer relationships and sales processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level suggests a need for individuals who can operate with a high degree of autonomy and possess a strategic understanding of the solar market. The emphasis on translating customer needs into product/operational requirements highlights the need for strong analytical and communication skills beyond just technical knowledge.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Examples of developed solution proposals or scopes of work for complex technical projects, demonstrating an ability to align technical capabilities with customer business needs.

• Case studies or project documentation showcasing successful customer onboarding or implementation processes, highlighting your role in streamlining workflows and ensuring client satisfaction.

• Documentation samples (e.g., process flows, SOPs, training guides) that illustrate your ability to structure information, define operational procedures, and facilitate knowledge transfer.

• Evidence of translating customer pain points or business challenges into specific product or operational requirements.

• Examples of pricing model development or analysis that demonstrate an understanding of value-based pricing and operational cost considerations. Process Documentation:

• Demonstrated ability to document complex workflows, including defining roles, responsibilities, data flows, timelines, and dependencies for both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Experience in creating and refining standard operating procedures (SOPs) for service delivery, customer onboarding, or technical support.

• Ability to articulate best practices for inspection workflows, data handover, and ongoing asset management within the solar industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, a portfolio showcasing the ability to structure and document complex processes, translate technical requirements, and demonstrate customer-centric solutioning will be critical. Candidates should be prepared to walk through examples of how they've mapped out workflows or developed enablement materials.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Solutions Design Manager with 5-10 years of experience in the US, particularly in remote or tech-focused roles, a competitive salary range is estimated between $100,000 - $135,000 per year. This range can vary based on specific location (cost of living), candidate experience, and the "sales variable target" mentioned.

Benefits:

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with potential company match.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, conferences, and skill enhancement.

• Sales Variable Target: Performance-based incentive compensation tied to successful sales outcomes.

• Remote Work Flexibility: Option for fully remote work within the United States or hybrid arrangement.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week). While flexibility is implied for remote work, remote applicants are expected to align with US Eastern Timezone for primary meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on the provided maximum AI value ($135,000) and typical compensation bands for similar roles in the US tech and renewable energy sectors. The inclusion of a "sales variable target" suggests a commission or bonus structure that would supplement the base salary, common for roles closely aligned with sales.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Renewable Energy Technology (specifically Solar and Wind Asset Optimization). SkySpecs operates at the intersection of hardware (inspections) and software (data analytics, SaaS), aiming to enhance the performance, safety, and profitability of renewable energy assets.

Company Size: SkySpecs is a fast-growing technology company. While not specified, given the context of expanding into a new market (solar) and hiring for a manager-level role, it's likely a scale-up phase company, potentially in the 100-500 employee range, or larger if they have a significant established presence.

Founded: The founding date is not provided but SkySpecs has been active in the wind energy sector for some time before expanding into solar. This suggests a company with established operational processes and a track record of innovation.

Team Structure:

• The role sits at the "intersection of Sales, Solutions, Product, Operations, and Customer Success," indicating a highly collaborative, cross-functional environment.

• The Solar Solutions Design Manager will likely report into a Solutions, GTM Operations, or Sales Enablement leadership role.

• Close collaboration with Sales teams for discovery and proposal support, Product teams for requirements translation, Operations teams for delivery feasibility, and Customer Success for onboarding and service delivery. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Insights: The company's core offering combines inspections and data analytics to provide actionable insights, suggesting a strong reliance on data for decision-making and performance optimization.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: A key responsibility involves refining and documenting inspection and delivery workflows, emphasizing process efficiency and standardization.

• Automation & Efficiency: As a technology company, there's an implicit focus on leveraging software and automation to improve asset performance and operational efficiency for their clients.

Company Website: https://skyspecs.com/ (Note: The provided URL in the input data was for Breezy HR, the recruitment platform.)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on optimizing renewable energy assets implies a culture that values technical expertise, innovation, and a results-oriented approach. The rapid growth suggests an agile environment where adaptability and continuous improvement are key.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a mid-to-senior level, requiring significant industry expertise and the ability to operate independently. It's a "Manager" title within the Solutions Design function, indicating responsibility for developing strategies, frameworks, and potentially guiding junior team members or cross-functional initiatives.

Reporting Structure: The role reports into a function that supports Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy and execution. This could be within Sales Operations, Solutions Engineering, or a dedicated GTM Enablement team. The direct collaboration across Sales, Product, Operations, and Customer Success means the individual will be exposed to various facets of the business.

Operations Impact: The Solar Solutions Design Manager has a direct impact on revenue by enabling the sales team to effectively position and sell solar solutions. By ensuring accurate solution design and smooth implementation, they contribute to customer satisfaction, retention, and the overall growth of SkySpecs' solar business. Their work in translating customer needs into product requirements also influences the future direction and competitiveness of the company's offerings.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in solar asset management, SaaS solutions, and GTM strategy within the renewable energy sector.

• Leadership: Potential to grow into a lead role within the Solutions Design or GTM Operations team, managing a team or taking on larger strategic initiatives.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Opportunities to move into Product Management, Sales Enablement, Customer Success leadership, or Operations Management roles, leveraging broad business exposure.

• Industry Expertise: Become a recognized expert in solar asset optimization and technology solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth within a specialized, high-demand industry. The blend of technical, customer-facing, and operational responsibilities provides a well-rounded development experience.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role can be fully remote within the United States or hybrid, with the option to work from the SkySpecs headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan. This offers flexibility based on candidate preference and location.

Office Location(s): Ann Arbor, Michigan (HQ) for hybrid options. Remote work is permitted across the United States.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role is designed to be highly collaborative, requiring frequent interaction with internal teams (Sales, Product, Ops, CS) and external clients. This suggests a dynamic and communicative work setting.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to SkySpecs' proprietary SaaS platform, data analytics tools, and CRM systems will be essential for daily work. Expect a technology-rich environment.

• Team Interaction: Regular team meetings, customer calls, and potential in-person gatherings (if hybrid or for specific events) will facilitate interaction and knowledge sharing.

Work Schedule: The standard 40-hour work week applies. Remote employees are expected to align with US Eastern Timezone for primary meetings, indicating a need for availability during core business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote-first or hybrid approach caters to a modern workforce and broadens the talent pool. The expectation for US ET timezone alignment is crucial for candidates to manage their schedules effectively.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely conduct an initial call to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and salary expectations.

• Technical/Solutions Interview: Expect in-depth discussions about your experience with utility-scale solar, asset management, customer discovery, and solution design. You may be asked to walk through specific examples from your past work.

• Cross-Functional Interview(s): Interviews with members of Sales, Product, or Operations teams to evaluate collaboration skills, ability to translate requirements, and understanding of different functional perspectives.

• Case Study or Presentation: A common element for this type of role would be a prepared presentation or case study demonstrating your approach to solving a specific solar solutions design problem, translating customer needs, or developing a process/playbook.

• Final Interview: A meeting with senior leadership to finalize the decision, focusing on strategic fit and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Process Mapping: Include examples of documented workflows, SOPs, or implementation checklists. Clearly articulate the problem, your approach, and the outcome.

• Highlight Solution Design: Present case studies where you designed or contributed significantly to the design of technical solutions for clients. Emphasize how you understood needs and tailored the solution.

• Demonstrate Translation Skills: Provide examples of how you converted customer feedback or operational challenges into specific product requirements or process improvements.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the positive impact of your work (e.g., improved efficiency, reduced implementation time, increased customer satisfaction, successful sales enablement).

• Tailor to SkySpecs: Research SkySpecs' offerings and target market. Frame your portfolio examples to resonate with their business and the specific challenges they address in the solar industry.

Challenge Preparation:

• Scenario-Based Questions: Prepare for questions asking how you would approach a specific customer discovery scenario, design a solution for a given problem, or translate a complex requirement.

• Industry Knowledge: Refresh your understanding of utility-scale solar asset management, common operational challenges, and emerging trends.

• Process Improvement Mindset: Be ready to discuss your methodology for identifying bottlenecks, optimizing workflows, and implementing new processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio and case studies suggests that SkySpecs values tangible evidence of problem-solving and process development capabilities. Candidates should prepare to articulate their thought process and demonstrate quantifiable results.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CRM: Salesforce or similar CRM for managing customer interactions, sales pipelines, and account data. Proficiency in using CRM for tracking customer engagements and solutioning is key.

• Productivity Suite: Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides) or Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for documentation, analysis, and presentations.

• Collaboration Tools: Slack, Microsoft Teams, or similar for internal communication and cross-functional collaboration.

• Project Management Tools: Asana, Jira, Trello, or similar for tracking tasks, workflows, and project timelines.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: Excel, Google Sheets for data manipulation and analysis. Familiarity with more advanced tools like Tableau, Power BI, or SQL could be beneficial for deeper analysis and dashboard creation, though not explicitly required.

• SaaS Platform: Proficiency with SkySpecs' own SaaS platform for understanding its capabilities and how it integrates into customer workflows.

CRM & Automation:

• Sales Enablement Platforms: Tools like Highspot, Seismic, or internal knowledge bases may be used for managing sales collateral and training materials.

• Workflow Automation: While not a primary focus for this role, understanding basic workflow automation concepts will be helpful when translating requirements for Product and Operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, the role's nature implies a need for strong proficiency in standard business productivity and collaboration software, alongside a strong understanding of CRM systems and data analysis principles. Familiarity with SaaS platforms and their integration into operational workflows is essential.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer-Centricity: A core value likely drives the focus on understanding and meeting customer needs through effective solution design and delivery.

• Innovation & Growth: As a fast-growing tech company in the renewable energy sector, SkySpecs likely values continuous innovation, adaptability, and a drive for expansion.

• Technical Excellence: A commitment to deep technical understanding of solar and wind asset management, ensuring solutions are robust and effective.

• Collaboration & Transparency: The cross-functional nature of the role suggests that open communication, teamwork, and shared responsibility are highly valued.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: The company's reliance on data analytics for insights implies a culture that prioritizes evidence-based approaches and measurable outcomes.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect a highly integrated approach where teams work closely together, sharing information and expertise to achieve common goals.

• Process-Oriented: A focus on defining, documenting, and optimizing processes to ensure consistency, quality, and efficiency in service delivery.

• Feedback Loops: An environment where feedback is encouraged and utilized for continuous improvement of products, processes, and customer experiences.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that promotes sharing best practices, case studies, and learnings across teams to foster collective growth and expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture likely reflects a blend of a fast-paced tech environment with the technical rigor required in the energy sector. Success in this role will depend on an individual's ability to navigate this dynamic while championing effective operations and customer success.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Market Expansion: As SkySpecs expands into the solar market, establishing a strong foothold and refining offerings will be a key challenge. This role is central to that effort.

• Translating Diverse Needs: Solar customers (developers, IPPs, O&M) have varied operational complexities; translating these diverse needs into standardized yet flexible solutions and processes requires significant skill.

• Balancing Product & Operations: Effectively bridging the gap between product capabilities and operational realities, ensuring solutions are both innovative and deliverable, presents an ongoing challenge.

• Keeping Pace with Technology: The renewable energy sector is rapidly evolving; staying abreast of new technologies and customer demands will be crucial.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Domain Expertise: Become a recognized expert in solar asset management and related technologies through hands-on experience and continuous learning.

• GTM Strategy: Gain comprehensive experience in Go-To-Market strategy, sales enablement, and solutions engineering within a high-growth tech company.

• Product Development Influence: Directly influence product roadmaps by providing critical customer insights and requirements.

• Process Optimization: Hone skills in developing and implementing operational frameworks, playbooks, and SOPs that drive efficiency and scale.

• Industry Engagement: Potential to represent SkySpecs at industry events, further building professional network and expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is designed to present significant challenges that, when overcome, lead to substantial professional development and career advancement within a critical and growing industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for conducting customer discovery in a new market segment like solar. What key questions would you ask, and what red flags would you look for?"

• "Imagine a large IPP has complex existing workflows for preventative maintenance. How would you approach designing a SkySpecs solution that integrates seamlessly and provides clear value?"

• "Walk us through a time you had to translate a customer's operational pain point into specific product requirements or process changes. What was your methodology, and what was the outcome?"

• "How would you assess the operational feasibility of a proposed solar solution before presenting it to a client? What factors would you consider?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your research, what do you see as the biggest opportunity for SkySpecs in the solar market, and how can a Solutions Design Manager contribute to capturing it?"

• "How do you typically collaborate with Sales, Product, and Operations teams? Describe a situation where you had to influence stakeholders across different departments."

• "How do you measure the success of a solution design or an implementation process? What metrics are most important to you and why?"

• "What are your thoughts on balancing the need for standardized processes with the flexibility required to meet unique customer needs in the solar industry?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each portfolio item (case study, process document, etc.), follow a clear structure: Problem/Challenge -> Your Approach/Solution -> Outcome/Impact.

• Focus on Collaboration: Highlight instances where you worked effectively with cross-functional teams or stakeholders to achieve a desired outcome.

• Quantify Results: Use data and metrics wherever possible to demonstrate the effectiveness of your solutions or processes.

• Showcase Process Thinking: Clearly articulate the steps involved in your workflows, decision-making processes, and how you ensured efficiency and quality.

• Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your methodology, challenges faced, and alternative approaches you might have considered.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a blend of deep technical knowledge, strategic thinking, strong communication skills, and a demonstrated ability to translate complex requirements into actionable plans that drive business value.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Solar Solutions Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Breezy HR.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience directly relevant to utility-scale solar, asset management, customer-facing technical roles, solution design, and process documentation. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 strong examples that showcase your ability to design solutions, document processes, translate customer needs, and quantify impact. Be ready to present these clearly.

• Research SkySpecs: Understand their mission, current offerings (especially in wind and their new solar initiatives), target market, and company values.

• Practice Your Narrative: Be prepared to articulate your experience and qualifications concisely and compellingly, focusing on how you can contribute to SkySpecs' success in the solar market.

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