Civil Engineer, Earthworks Expert
Job Description:
Nextracker – Civil Engineer, Earthworks Expert
Location: Madrid, Spain (Office)
Reporting to: Senior Engineering Manager Europe
Founded in 2013, NEXTracker is a leading Sketch-to-Scale™ solutions company that designs and builds intelligent products for a connected world. With projects and offices across six continents, NEXTracker is an established leader in the ground mount solar and storage industries, having been recognized as one of the Top Workplaces for 2023 by the San Francisco Chronicle. We are a cutting-edge technology company that is looking for passionate individuals to join our innovative team. Nextracker is not just creating solar tracking solutions, but also shaping the future of sustainable energy. Take your career to the next level with us. Join a market leader that values talent, service excellence and innovation as core to our business growth and culture. With one of the most experienced management teams in solar, category-leading products, and a fortified technology roadmap, NEXTracker is making a dramatic impact on the power plant of the future.
We are looking for a Civil Engineer, Earthworks Expert to join our European Engineering Team in Madrid, Spain, supporting utility-scale PV projects across the European market. This role focuses on the civil engineering aspects of solar plants, with an emphasis on earthworks design, grading optimization, and constructability assessments. The ideal candidate has a solid background in civil and geotechnical engineering, experience in large-scale infrastructure projects in Europe, and strong analytical and technical skills. Programming knowledge (e.g. VBA or Python) is a valuable plus to help automate and improve design tools and workflows.
Responsibilities
Lead civil engineering efforts focused on earthworks design and optimization for PV projects across Europe.
Analyze site-specific data (topography, geotechnical reports) and define grading and earthworks strategies to minimize cut/fill and cost.
Create and review grading plans, civil drawings, technical specifications, and quantity take-offs.
Conduct slope stability and drainage analysis in collaboration with geotechnical experts.
Coordinate and interpret geotechnical investigations, site surveys, and laboratory results.
Collaborate closely with structural, geotechnical and project engineering teams to ensure integrated and constructible solutions.
Support construction activities and site teams by providing technical input and resolving civil-related issues.
Develop, maintain, and improve internal tools and templates for earthworks design; contribute to process automation using Excel VBA ,C# or Python where applicable.
Participate in standardization initiatives and share best practices across global engineering teams.
Required Skills & Experience
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Civil Engineering (specialization in Earthworks or Geotechnics preferred).
Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in earthworks design and civil engineering on infrastructure or renewable energy projects.
Solid understanding of European civil engineering codes and standards, including Eurocode 7 and local permitting frameworks.
Proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D and earthworks modeling tools.
Familiarity with slope stability and drainage software (e.g., GeoStudio, PLAXIS).
Excellent English communication skills;
Experience working in international, multidisciplinary environments.
Programming skills in VBA, C# or Python are a strong plus.
Highly organized, with strong problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.
Availability to travel occasionally to project sites across Europe.
At Nextracker, we are leading in the energy transition, providing the most comprehensive portfolio of intelligent solar tracker and software solutions for solar power plants, as well as strategic services to capture the full value of solar power plants for our customers. Our talented worldwide teams are transforming PV plant performance every day with smart technology, data monitoring and analysis services.
For us at Nextracker, sustainability is not just a word. It's a core part of our business, values and our operations. Our sustainability efforts are based on five cornerstones: People, Community, Environment, Innovation, and Integrity. We are creative, collaborative and passionate problem-solvers from diverse backgrounds, driven by our shared mission to provide smart solar and software solutions for our customers and to mitigate climate change for future generations.