Lead Solar Operations

The Westlands Solar Complex comprises several key solar projects, including Aquamarine, a 300 MW solar photovoltaic facility, and Chestnut Solar, which spans 1,050 acres with a 210 MW DC PV facility and advanced battery energy storage. Additionally, the Solar Blue facility covers 1,841 acres and boasts a total power rating of around 350 MW DC, supported by a substantial battery energy storage system of 900 MWh. The Westland 230 kV transmission line further enhances the energy infrastructure of the park. These developments, along with the Westside Asset, represent a significant investment in renewable energy.

Opportunity Summary

As a Lead Solar Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Technician, you will oversee and guide a team of technicians responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of utility-scale solar photovoltaic and energy storage systems. You will manage routine and complex maintenance tasks, including troubleshooting and repairing critical components such as inverters, transformers, and SCADA systems. This role requires strong leadership and technical expertise to ensure reliable operation across five individual sites within the Westlands Solar Park.

Primary Duties 

Your focus will include the following duties: 

• Lead and ensure safe work practices in compliance with all NAES safety standards and procedures, fostering a culture of safety within the team.
• Provide leadership and direct supervision to assigned solar O&M technician team members, fostering their development, and ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Oversee and perform routine preventive maintenance with a high level of accuracy, including equipment inspections, cleaning, torque checks, thermography (aerial and ground), IV curve tracing, and other necessary equipment checks to ensure the safe and reliable operation of all equipment.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot complex low-voltage issues independently and medium/high voltage issues with leadership oversight, ensuring safe and effective resolutions.
• Execute and lead complex corrective maintenance (repairs) of equipment, ensuring all repairs are performed safely, professionally, and in full compliance with NAES standards and manufacturer requirements.
• Provide expert guidance and mentorship to team members in troubleshooting methodologies, especially for down equipment, to enhance team capabilities and effectiveness.
• Document and review all work performed on NAES-provided checklists, service reports, and CMMS, ensuring accuracy and completeness in documentation.
• Ensure compliance with environmental permits, equipment warranty requirements, training plans, tool and spare parts lists, and milestone schedules during all site activities.
• Manage and ensure the proper maintenance and use of vehicles, tools, and equipment assigned by NAES, fostering responsibility and care in their use.
• Enforce and uphold departmental procedures and reporting requirements, ensuring that team members are compliant with all guidelines and expectations.
• Initiate and manage equipment warranty claims, ensuring timely and accurate processing of all claims.
• Plan and coordinate teamwork schedules, optimizing resources and ensuring effective team performance.
• Complete and supervise all required administrative activities before deadlines, including time sheets, expense reports, service reports, and incident reports.
• Lead and coordinate the team to complete all assigned work and administrative tasks, implementing quality control measures to ensure the highest standards are met.
• Perform additional duties as assigned, with a proactive approach to identifying and addressing operational needs.

NAES Safe

Safety is a core value of NAES and as a condition of employment, all employees are expected to be mentally alert and work safely at all times. Additionally, employees are required to adhere to all safety warnings and posted safety signs whenever on company property.  Furthermore, employees must follow all NAES safety rules and procedures. Effectiveness in carrying out this responsibility is part of the evaluation of each employee’s performance.

Working Relationships

The Lead Solar O&M Technician reports directly to the Site O&M Manager and collaborates closely with other site employees and customer contacts to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the solar facilities.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions 

This position can be physically demanding while working frequently in an outdoor environment in a variety of weather and working conditions. Must be able to work in heat and cold, i.e., full sun where temperatures can be triple digits, or no sun where temperatures can be below freezing. In addition to extreme weather conditions, other physical requirements include standing for extended periods of time, stair and ladder climbing, lifting up to 50 pounds, bending and working in confined spaces.  

Protective equipment must be worn in the performance of some duties (e.g., hard hats, safety glasses, air masks, ear protection, chemical suits, hot gloves, and high voltage protective equipment, etc.). Work with hazardous materials may be required. There are extensive smoking restrictions in and around the facility. 

Fitness for Duty 

All employees will participate in the Fitness for Duty Program. This program includes a post-offer physical examination and drug screening and post-employment random drug screening. 

Work Schedule 

Regular scheduled workdays are Monday to Friday, during normal day shift hours. Position requires extended working hours and varied shifts with weekend and holiday work, as required by schedules, workload, and plant conditions. "On call" status will periodically be required.

Compensation

Initial compensation ranges from $36 to $47 per hour.

Job Qualifications

• Ability to understand procedures and instructions specific to the area of assignment as would be acquired in four years of high school. Associate degree in Renewable Energy Technology, Electrical Engineering, or a related field is a plus.
• Extensive hands-on experience in solar photovoltaic (PV) plant operations and maintenance is required, with strong preference given to candidates with PV construction experience, though it is not mandatory.
• Proven leadership experience in guiding and managing teams of electricians or electrical technicians is essential, with a demonstrated ability to drive team performance, meet deadlines consistently, and manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Advanced proficiency in testing, analyzing, conducting preventive maintenance, and troubleshooting photovoltaic inverter systems, data acquisition systems (DAS), and various other components within PV power plants.
• Experience with SCADA systems for advanced monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimization of PV systems is highly desirable.
• Strong command of Microsoft Word and Excel is necessary, with the ability to generate detailed reports and data analysis.
• Comprehensive knowledge of solar industry best practices, national electric code (NEC) requirements, and in-depth experience in the diagnosis/repair of common solar equipment is expected.
• Exceptional analytical and quantitative abilities are required, with the capability to lead data-driven decision-making processes.
• Superior communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to articulate technical issues and solutions clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Exemplary organizational skills, attention to detail, and advanced problem-solving abilities are crucial, with an emphasis on proactive issue resolution and process improvement.

 Licenses/Certification:

• NABCEP certification or other component-specific solar certifications are highly preferred.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License at all times.

About NAES 

NAES Corporation is the leading provider of operations, maintenance, and engineering services for energy facilities. We have established ourselves as a reliable partner for clients in North America and internationally, offering services across power generation, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors. Additionally, our growing family of companies enables us to address the entire life cycle of power generation and other industrial plants. 

NAES is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. It is the practice of NAES to seek employees of the highest quality and to select individuals on the basis of merit and competence, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status or affiliation protected under USERRA, or any other basis of discrimination prohibited by applicable local, state and federal law.