Solar & BESS Technician II

At AES Clean Energy, we’re accelerating the future of energy, together, while transforming customer experience and delivering unique customer products and solutions. Field Operations Solar & BESS Technician 2 will support our expanding teams locally and help grow our portfolio of photovoltaic (PV) solar and battery energy storage systems (BESS) facilities while connecting the region to the broader Field Operations network. AES Clean Energy is looking for a seasoned Solar Technician with advanced troubleshooting experience. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter, can take direct instruction from Senior Technicians, and demonstrate the ability to lead, train, and teach other technicians.

Energetic - Safety First - Self-starter - Innovative Thinker - Driven by Excellence - Team Player - Responsible & Accountable

If these characteristics describe you, join our team’s exciting journey!

A day in the life of Field Operations Solar & BESS Technician II will include, but is not limited to:

• Listen, collaborate, and apply advanced troubleshooting ability, take direct instruction from the Senior Technicians, and support the team at solar+battery facilities at Waikoloa site (Big Island) and other sites currently under construction in performing preventive & corrective maintenance and supporting ongoing construction activities.
• Build and be part of a motivated TEAM of technicians with the Lead Technician to troubleshoot and repair all equipment at the facility safely and proactively. The equipment to learn and maintain includes PV solar modules, PV arrays, inverters, and battery energy storage system (BESS battery containers).
• Candidates must communicate well, use computers in the field, and bring a TEAM together and earn trust.
• Communicate effectively to solve complex issues with the site team, and the AES Clean Energy engineers across North America.
• Effectively prioritize a long list of concerns and challenges and collaborate to develop a plan of action for correction.
• Work daily to ensure that all equipment is operating to maximum efficiency to keep our customers’ grid stable for power to the local communities.
• Assist, lead, coordinate, and support third party technicians in their site location in performing preventive & corrective maintenance and supporting ongoing construction activities.
• Assist and coordinate the safe, efficient, and reliable delivery of field services to facility owners and assist the Team Leader and Lead Technician in planning to meet site and regional maintenance obligations.
• Work closely with the Team Lead and technicians to remediate site issues and enhance the operating portfolio’s performance. Goal: maximum equipment availability.
• Safe and efficient operations is the name of the game at AES Clean Energy. Integrity, training, and qualification in our TEAM leads to best performance through ownership, level of knowledge, procedural compliance, a questioning attitude, and formal use of procedure are the pillars of performance WE strive for in our daily success.

The successful candidate will have a depth of experience in operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of AC and DC electrical systems of varying types and voltages – especially experience working with PV solar systems and substations (MV/HV).

This position will be based onsite at Waikoloa Solar+BESS Power Plant (Big Islandi). Some remote work will be required in support of the Hawaii region, and other sites that are under construction.

Key Responsibilities

• Listen, collaborate, and apply your knowledge, skills, and abilities as Technician 2 including advanced troubleshooting in accordance with applicable safety and environmental obligations.
• Responsible for the preventative and Corrective O&M activities assigned to the team.
• Stop unsafe work, report and correct unsafe conditions or hazards – review and submit applicable accident / incident report. Work with and support the Team Lead and AES local safety manager.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement of O&M activities to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable delivery of field services.
• Ensure standard maintenance for vehicles and equipment and assist in addressing repair needs, coordinate use of shared equipment.
• Assist or support warranty claims processes with EPC providers and equipment vendors.
• Assist in third-party contractor and vendor identification and onboarding– develop work scopes and manage and schedule contractors as needed.
• Assist Team Leader and maintain an annual on-call schedule and communicate that schedule as needed to internal and external parties; respond to “after-hours” emergency situations as necessary.
• Ensure timely, complete, and high-quality documentation related to O&M activities, including but not limited to service tickets, maintenance reports, switching orders, and safety-related documentation such as JHAs/JSAs, Safe Work Permits, LOTO, Energized Electrical Work Permits, and excavation permits, etc.). You must be effective at communicating with a computer, IPAD, and IPHONE.
• Assist and ensure accurate tracking of inventory levels-initiate re-order of consumables and spare parts as needed.
• Assist and collaborate with procurement team for accurate tracking of inventory levels – initiate re-order of consumables and spare parts as needed.
• As needed, participate in the construction/commissioning of the facilities within the region to ensure a high-quality build, successful commissioning, timely project punch list closeout, and smooth transition of responsibility to the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Team.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable safety and environmental (EHSS) requirements, regional and federal regulations, and AES company policies.
• Stay abreast of applicable technical & safety standards and share with the team.
• Assist, perform and lead other duties and administrative tasks as assigned by management.

Skills and Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to be part of the team and achieve goals.
• Technical degree or equivalent Journeyman qualification a plus (appropriate electrical trade qualification)
• Three (3) years of experience as a solar PV technician or five (5) years’ experience in a power plant preferred (Utility scale electrical systems). Combiner Box: 1500 Vdc; Inverter: 3 phase 850Vac; ACDC: 1216-1500 Vdc operating range; DCDC: 625-1475 Vdc SOC voltage range; BESS container (E4L): 1312 Vdc MAX operating range
• Knowledgeable in the systems, processes and protocols guiding the operations and maintenance of industrial PV solar plants and electrical systems (OSHA standards, NFPA 70e, Lockout/ Tagout/ Grounding, etc.). Operation of relays, pad mounted switchgear, PV modules, PV arrays, inverters, and battery storage containers.
• Maturity, professionalism, and excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing; developed interpersonal skills and a strong work ethic.
• Demonstrated ability to research and interpret technical documents and data.
• Must be results oriented, a “fixer of things”, with a “Do what I do” leadership philosophy.
• Demonstrates enthusiasm for solving problems, maintain a current level of knowledge, and work in increase knowledge base and teach others on the team.
• Demonstrated knowledge of electrical or mechanical fundamentals (single craft journeyman skills) such as electrical measurements, control circuits, and electrical theory application. Basic knowledge of operational characteristics of equipment and associated control devices installed in power plants.
• Competence with relevant computer systems including but not limited to CMMS, DAS/SCADA, equipment-specific maintenance programs, and Microsoft Office programs.
• High degree of commitment to a quality safety culture and an incident-free work environment. Safety must be part of your DNA and be part of all that you do.
• NFPA 70E and OSHA 30 Certification.
• Candidates considered will have to provide documentation for college degrees and certification. This will be performed by an outside company that works with AES Clean Energy.
• Ability to read and interpret equipment/facility schematics, maintenance instructions, procedures/manuals, process/procedure documents.
• Personal values consistent with those of the AES: Safety First, Highest Standards, and All Together.
• Ability to excel in a collaborative, cross-functional and geographically diverse organization.
• Excellent English written and verbal communication skills.
• Positive, professional, and collaborative work ethic.
• Detail oriented, high-energy, adept at problem solving and time management in sometimes high stress situations, highly organized.
• Must be able to lift 35 lbs. (OSHA) without assisted lift device or another employee.
• Must have eyesight corrected to 20/20, must have good hearing. Candidates cannot be color blind.
• Must be able to work in a power plant environment, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week as is needed to provide power to our valued customers and the communities in Hawaii.
• Must be flexible and able to work overtime daily, 2-3 hours.
• Must be able to obtain a TWIC card.

Work Environment

• May be required to work around rotating and energized equipment, hazardous materials, and chemicals.
• Occasionally requires lifting as appropriate to perform duties and responsibilities.
• Occasional non-standard work hours as required to maintain necessary plant readiness.
• Working outside in a normal solar power plant and/or office environment, including high/low ambient temperatures and high/low humidity areas, and possibly working at heights.
• Requires standing, sitting, walking, kneeling, twisting, climbing stairs and ladders, and entering plant equipment to access, inspect, or collect data on plant equipment. Candidates must be physically fit.
• As necessary, travel regionally in a company provided service vehicle and use regional air travel to support company’s solar and storage assets.
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license.