Solar Project Specialist (PM, Coordinator, or Engineer)

About Gaia

Founded in 2005, Gaia is a high-performance building and sustainability consultancy company. Gaia specializes in energy-efficient building consulting, energy modeling, and building commissioning. Gaia is one of the leaders in high-performance real estate in Southern California, although Gaia has projects nationwide. The company’s roots extend to the early days of the sustainable building movement.

Gaia is a small, mission-driven company that provides benefits comparable to those of a larger company. Our unique culture is fun but professional, and the entire staff is passionate about transforming the built environment. The portfolio of projects includes many of the largest and most successful developers and architects.

Position Overview

Join a leading sustainability consulting firm to help expand our solar and renewable energy division.

Gaia is seeking a versatile professional to take on a diverse role consulting, managing, coordinating, and guiding clients through commercial solar projects—from early consulting to commissioning. You’ll work with developers, architects, engineers, and owners on projects nationwide, helping them meet renewable energy goals while navigating the nuances of solar projects.

This is not a one-size-fits-all role—we’re looking for someone who can flex between technical, project coordination, and client education across a range of scopes. If you’re passionate about solar, renewable energy, and sustainability and ready to wear multiple hats in a growing solar practice, we’d love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate proposal development, including scope definition and supporting documentation
• Manage project workflows from design through commissioning, ensuring alignment with owner goals and technical requirements
• Act as a liaison between Gaia leadership, commissioning agents, project managers, and clients
• Maintain and organize project documentation and lessons learned for continuous improvement
• Support commissioning activities by preparing/reviewing commissioning plans, Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR), and verification checklists (ASHRAE Guideline 0)
• Oversee bidding and contractor coordination for solar projects, including RFP prep, solicitation, and bid scoring
• Track and follow up on project action items, RFIs, and meeting minutes
• Assist in client presentations, proposal submissions, and upsell opportunities (e.g., enhanced commissioning)
• Stay current with policies, codes, and industry best practices (e.g., CALGreen, Title 24, IECC, community solar, utility interconnection, etc.)
• Basic QualificationsStrong knowledge of commercial solar design and construction, OR related high-performance building/engineering experience
• Familiarity with commissioning processes, documentation, and Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR) principles
• Ability to interpret construction drawings and specifications
• 3+ years of professional experience in project coordination, project engineering, or project management
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and project management tools (e.g., Salesforce, Asana, Smartsheet)
• Passion for sustainability and clean energy

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with solar project management or coordination
• Experience with solar or building commissioning
• Knowledge of Title 24, IECC, and national building and energy codes
• Understanding of solar policy, rate structures, and utility processes
• Experience with solar design software, energy modeling, or Title 24 modeling
• Background in dry utility consulting or electrical engineering
• Experience coordinating proposals and RFPs for commercial projects

Note

We know the perfect candidate may not check every single box above. If you have related skills or experience and believe you’d be a great fit for this role, please tell us more in your application or in the qualifying questions below.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: dependent on experience
• Quarterly & annual profit-sharing bonuses
• 3% Safe Harbor contribution into 401K upon eligibility
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (100% paid by GAIA)
• 13 Paid Holidays
• Project completion bonuses
• PTO: vacation, sick, holidays, volunteering, education, your birthday
• 9/80 work schedule
• Interest-Free Solar Loan
• Remote-friendly but preferably located in Southern California