Senior Field Service Technician IV Solar

This role is performed in person, outdoors, on solar sites in and around Wilmington, Delaware. You must live within commuting distance of Wilmington.

Energy Support Services keeps solar and energy storage systems safe, reliable, and producing clean power. As Senior Field Service Technician, you are the regional technical authority — the top of our field technical ladder. You’ll drive operational excellence across the region, coordinate complex preventative and corrective maintenance, manage state electrical permitting, and serve as the regional safety approval authority — working directly with management and third-party vendors while training the next generation of field technicians.

This is a licensed, high-autonomy role for someone who has already been the person everyone calls.

COMING FROM ANOTHER SIDE OF THE ELECTRICAL TRADE?
The license and the medium-voltage judgment are non-negotiable. Solar experience is not. We regularly hire senior licensed electricians from adjacent fields and build the PV expertise on top:
•    Commercial and industrial electrical contracting leadership — permitting, AHJ relationships, code compliance, crew oversight, and vendor coordination. This job is largely those skills applied to solar assets.
•    Industrial plant or facilities electrical management — LOTO program ownership, SOP development, CMMS discipline, and contractor management are the same core work.
•    Wind, storage, or other renewables — you’ll have the shortest ramp of anyone.
What we’ll train and certify you on
•    PV-specific architecture, commissioning practice, and performance diagnostics.
•    I/V curve tracing, insulation resistance testing, and infrared thermography.
•    FAA Part 107 drone certification, OSHA 30, NFPA 70E/70B, and advanced technical pathways.

WHAT WE OFFER
•    Tools and equipment: provided. Company truck, company fuel/credit card, and vehicle maintenance card. You will never spend your own money on tools here — no tool truck payment, no tool debt.
•    Bonus: Up to an 8% performance bonus, paid annually.
•    Apparel: Company-provided PPE and flame-resistant clothing kit (bibs, jackets, pants, shirts) at no cost to you.
•    Health: Medical, dental, and vision. We pay 80% of your health insurance premiums.
•    Retirement: 401(k) with up to a 7.5% company match.
•    Time off: PTO accrued each pay period — 120 hours/year (years 0–2), 160 hours (years 3–9), 200 hours (10+ years) — plus 11 paid holidays.
•    Family: 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
•    Insurance: Company-paid Life and AD&D insurance at 1x your annual salary.
•    Certifications — we pay, you keep them: OSHA 10/30, NFPA 70E/70B, FAA Part 107 (drone), and our internal O&M Tech course series. These certifications stay with you for the rest of your career.
•    Education: Tuition reimbursement up to $10,000 per year for approved programs

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Safety and compliance

• Champion a culture of operational excellence and event-free operations across all regional work.


• Serve as the Regional Approval Authority for Personal Lockout/Tagout (PLOTO) and switch-plan LOTO procedures: review and approve 100% of LOTO and switching plans before work begins, and say no when a plan isn’t right, regardless of schedule pressure.


• Ensure full compliance with all applicable state Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), electrical codes, safety regulations, and company standards.


• Review, submit, and manage the complete electrical permitting process in alignment with state regulations. Close out every permit with zero failed inspections or code citations.

Advanced technical operations

• Perform and coordinate complex preventative and corrective maintenance and deep troubleshooting on solar PV systems — modules, inverters, combiner boxes, medium-voltage equipment, and associated electrical components.


• Perform expert commissioning and quality assurance audits for new and existing solar electric systems.


• Operate safely and independently in medium-voltage 34,500VAC and 1500VDC environments.


• Develop corrective action plans for intricate electrical faults, including persistent grounding issues, wiring problems, and complex equipment malfunctions.

Regional leadership and vendor management

• Supervise or review field work across the region, and actively mentor junior technicians on electrical maintenance, technical procedure, and safety protocol.


• Partner with the O&M Manager to optimize regional site performance, increase production, and find operational efficiencies.


• Work directly with the Regional Manager and third-party vendors on component installation, commissioning, testing, troubleshooting, and warranty maintenance. Hold vendors to scope, schedule, and warranty terms.


• Manage complex, high-priority, or unusual projects as part of premium client service.

Documentation and process improvement

• Provide analytical feedback and recommendations on technician training schedules, safety plans, standard operating procedures, and O&M/commissioning processes.


• Communicate with internal teams and third-party vendors to coordinate and expedite field repairs and warranty claims. File warranty claims on time.


• Ensure all faults, site deficiencies, and unusual occurrences are recorded, and track time, material, and travel expenses accurately in the CMMS.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE IN YOUR FIRST YEAR

• By day 60: cleared on our medium-voltage systems and acting as Regional Approval Authority for LOTO and switching.


• Every month: zero recordable incidents, including LOTO or switching events.


• Months 3–12: 100% of regional electrical work permitted and closed out in compliance with state law, with zero failed inspections or code citations.


• Months 4–12: medium-voltage and persistent faults closed with a corrective action plan, and warranty claims filed on time.


• Month 12: regional fleet availability at or above [95%], plus improvements, made with the O&M Manager, that raise production or cut cost.


• Month 12: at least [1] technician qualified to a higher level under your mentoring (for example, a Tech III cleared to lead switching), and time, material, and travel in the CMMS at [98%] accuracy or better.

HOW WE WORK

• Ownership and follow-through. If it’s yours, it’s yours until it’s done: finished, documented, no loose ends.


• Client trust and communication. Tell people what’s going on, good or bad, early and in plain English.


• Technical rigor. Stay on the hard problem until the real cause is found and the fix sticks.


• Safety discipline. No shortcuts. When something’s off, stop and say something.


• Team development. Share what you know, step in when someone’s swamped, and help the people around you improve.

WHAT YOU NEED

• Active Delaware Master Electrician license, or an active Maryland Master Electrician license with 5+ years of experience. Delaware grants licenses by reciprocity to Maryland masters; ESS will support the conversion, which must be complete before your start date.


• 5+ years of senior-level field experience in solar PV, commercial/industrial electrical, utility or generation, or industrial plant electrical work — including hands-on medium-voltage switching, grounding, and protection experience.


• Master-level command of electrical theory and principles, and the ability to apply it to commercial and utility-scale configurations.


• Proven capability to work safely and independently in 34,500VAC and 1500VDC conditions.


• High proficiency with specialized electrical test equipment and advanced diagnostic tools.


• Elite troubleshooting, analytical, and root-cause problem-solving skills.


• Advanced ability to read, interpret, and redline complex electrical schematics and engineering drawings.


• Has owned electrical permitting end to end, with working relationships with AHJs and inspectors, and knows the NEC and state code well enough to approve other people’s LOTO and switching plans.


• Proven track record mentoring field teams and managing vendor relationships.


• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.


• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record that meets the ESS fleet insurance (MVR) standard.

Helpful, but not required — we train and certify you

• Solar PV–specific operations and maintenance background. If your senior electrical experience is from another sector, apply — we’ll build the PV depth.


• Commissioning and QA audit experience on renewable assets.


• OSHA 30, NFPA 70E/70B, and FAA Part 107 — all company-paid.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

With or without reasonable accommodation, you must be able to:

• Drive a vehicle confidently and with a high degree of safety.


• Stand for long periods and walk distances up to three miles per day.


• Navigate ladders, stairs, scaffolding, and ramps while maintaining three points of contact.


• Have visual acuity for depth perception, no field-of-vision issues, and the ability to distinguish between colors.


• Work comfortably in a range of climate conditions, including extreme heat (above 100°F) or extreme cold (below 32°F), for periods of more than one hour.


• Exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 30 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time. 

The expected annual compensation range for this position is $75,000 - $120,000, encompassing base pay and potential incentive target opportunity. This range is a good faith estimate based on the position's requirements. Specific compensation offered to the selected candidate may vary depending on factors such as relevant knowledge, skills, training, experience, and market conditions. Additionally, this position may qualify for a comprehensive benefits package, including Retirement Benefits, Medical, Dental & Vision, Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Account, Life Insurance and Disability, Tuition Reimbursement, Voluntary Benefits, Paid Absences, and more.

About Us:

At New Energy Equity, a proud subsidiary of ALLETE, we’re leading the charge in transforming the energy landscape with innovative solar solutions . As a top player in the renewable energy sector, we’ve successfully developed over 600MW of solar projects and closed more than $1.2 billion in clean energy investments . Our projects deliver sustainable electricity to a wide range of clients, including commercial, industrial, municipal, and utility customers . But there’s more to us than just impressive numbers. We pride ourselves on a dynamic and engaging work environment where teamwork, continuous learning, and environmental stewardship are at the core of what we do . Our inclusive and collaborative culture encourages creativity and innovation, making our office a place where every idea is valued, and growth is a priority . At New Energy Equity, you’ll join a passionate team that not only drives the clean energy future but also enjoys celebrating our successes together . With over 250 projects across the U.S. , our supportive atmosphere ensures a balanced work-life dynamic ⚖️ and a fun, fulfilling career path . Join us and be part of a forward-thinking company where your contributions are celebrated, and your professional development is supported as we work towards a brighter, sustainable future .

The statements above outline the essential functions, nature, and level of work expected as of the document’s preparation date. They are not exhaustive lists of all duties and responsibilities. New Energy Equity reserves the right to modify this job description at any time, without notice.

New Energy Equity is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law.

If you are an individual with disabilities who needs accommodation or you are having difficulty using our website to apply for employment, contact our HR department at [email protected]