Solar Engineer

Vital Energi; Wigan; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company van

Pension

Life insurance

Employee assistance programme

Gym on-site

Job summary

Vital Energi is seeking a Solar O&M Engineer to support the North West region, covering Manchester, Liverpool, Preston, Blackpool, Lancaster and nearby sites. The role focuses on safe operation and reliable energy production from PV and plant room electrical systems within energy centres and hospital sites.

This on-call role includes a 1 in 4 rota, adherence to 18th Edition BS 7671, and collaboration with specialist contractors as needed.

Qualifications

• Hold a City & Guilds electrical qualification or equivalent (e.g., NVQ Level 3, 18th Edition Wiring Regulations).
• Experience with commercial solar PV inverters, DC string testing, and safe electrical isolation.
• Full UK manual driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Oversee, operate, and maintain solar PV plant equipment (inverters, DC/AC distribution boards, string combiners, isolation switchgear).
• Perform planned preventive maintenance (PPM) and reactive maintenance to minimize downtime.
• Monitor system performance, solar irradiance levels, DC/AC voltages, and energy efficiency.
• Diagnose faults in commercial solar PV and plant room electrical systems.
• Carry out corrective repairs or escalate to specialist contractors when required.
• Ensure minimal disruption to building/energy centre operations.
• Record and report on system data and compliance documentation.

Skills

Electrical qualification

Solar PV experience

Driving licence

Education

City & Guilds electrical qualification (or NVQ Level 3)

Tools

PV inverters

DC string testing

Job description

Solar O&M Engineer

Would you like to be apart of Vital Energi's Growth?

If so, we require an Electrical/Solar Engineer with commercial PV experience to strengthen the existing Operations & Maintenance team located within the North West Area. This role will involve covering sites across Manchester, Liverpool, Preston, Blackpool, Lancaster etc.

About the role:

As Solar O&M Plant Room Engineer you will be working within Energy Centres / Hospital plant rooms etc. This plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of solar photovoltaic (PV) and electrical generation systems that distribute sustainable energy (such as heating, cooling, and power).

On call rota – 1 in 4 which runs Thursday to Thursday

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Oversee, operate, and maintain solar PV plant equipment (inverters, DC/AC distribution boards, string combiners, isolation switchgear, monitoring hardware, etc.).
• Perform planned preventive maintenance (PPM) and reactive maintenance to minimize downtime and maximize energy yield.
• Monitor system performance, solar irradiance levels, DC/AC voltages, and overall energy efficiency.
• Diagnose faults in commercial solar PV and plant room electrical systems.
• Carry out corrective repairs or elevate to specialist contractors when required.
• Ensure minimal disruption to building/energy centre operations.
• Use BMS (Building Management Systems) or SCADA/Solar Monitoring portals to monitor plant operation.
• Record and report on system data (generation outputs, performance ratios, energy consumption).
• Ensure all works comply with statutory regulations (18th Edition BS 7671, IET Code of Practice for Grid-connected Solar PV, Electricity at Work Regulations, etc.).
• Carry out risk assessments, method statements, and follow strict health & safety protocols (Permit to Work systems).
• Assist in plant upgrades, solar retrofits, and commissioning of new generation equipment.
• Maintain accurate records of maintenance, electrical testing, inspections, and system performance.
• Complete job sheets, electrical test certificates, and compliance documentation.

What you will need

• Hold a City & Guilds electrical qualification or equivalent (e.g., NVQ Level 3, 18th Edition Wiring Regulations).
• Experience with commercial solar PV inverters, DC string testing, and safe electrical isolation.
• Full UK manual driving licence.

The Company

Vital Energi is a major provider of renewable energy infrastructure and systems to the public and private sectors. We are supporting Hospitals, Universities, New Build developments, Towns and Cities as well as Industrial and Commercial clients to decarbonise their buildings.

We have and continue to work on ground-breaking projects throughout the UK which are supporting the UK’s Net Zero targets, such as the recently announced £1 billion low-carbon infrastructure project for Westminster.

With plans to double our headcount over the coming years, supported by offices opening in new locations across the country and our strong investment pipeline, coupled with our expansion into new markets such as industrial power generation with our very own Energy-from-Waste facility, there is no better time to join the family here at Vital Energi.

The Package

• Salary negotiable DOE
• Contributory Company Pension Scheme
• Company van/ Fuel card
• Non-contributory death-in-service insurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• 25 Days Holiday plus 8 days bank holidays.
• Additional holidays awarded in line with length of service
• Option to purchase/sell additional holidays
• Onsite gym/wellbeing centre at our Blackburn Head Office
• Discounted gym membership across the UK
• EV charging points where possible

The company is opposed to all forms of discrimination and will select for employment, training and promotion on the basis of suitability for the job and/ or merit. It is company policy that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment than another on the grounds of sex, race, colour, age, ethnic or national origins, political affiliations, religious beliefs, marital & civil partnership status, physical disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy & Maternity related or is disadvantaged by unjustifiable conditions or requirements.

Applicants must have the unrestricted and ongoing right to work in the UK for the duration of employment, without the need for sponsorship. Due to the nature of this role, we are unable to support visa sponsorship or employ individuals with time‑limited permission or conditions attached to their right to work in the UK