Field Network Technician - BESS

ON.energy; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Per diem

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

ON.energy is seeking a BESS Field Network Technician to deploy, configure, and maintain field-level communications for Battery Energy Storage Systems in data-center scale deployments. You will work across OT networks, SCADA, EMS, and IT teams to ensure secure, reliable connectivity for distributed site assets during commissioning and operations.

This hands-on, travel-heavy role requires strong knowledge of TCP/IP, routing, VPNs, VLANs, and industrial protocols (Modbus, DNP3, MQTT).

Qualifications

• 2+ years of hands-on network engineering in industrial or field deployments.
• Strong understanding of TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF, VLANs, VPNs, NAT, DHCP, DNS.
• Willingness to travel up to 80% for commissioning and site work.

Responsibilities

• Deploy and configure OT networks for field assets across sites.
• Collaborate with control systems, SCADA, IT for secure connectivity.
• Manage routing, switching, VLANs, firewall policies, and VPNs.
• Support commissioning of BESS, SCADA servers, RTUs/PLCs, and EMS platforms.

Job description

ON.energy is building the power infrastructure that makes the AI era possible. As AI demand surges past what the grid and traditional data centers can support, ON.energy provides a new class of power technology proven at gigawatt scale and trusted by the world’s leading cloud and AI companies. Our systems are already deployed across 2.5 GW of hyper-scale campuses, validated by top U.S. national labs, and certified for grid-safe operation by major utilities. With real products in the field, we’re scaling faster than the grid can, transforming power from a bottleneck into a competitive advantage for the companies building the future.

Location: Site based in United States (Amarillo, TX initially), 90% site based travel

Compensation: Hourly with overtime eligibility and per diem

Position Overview

The BESS Field Network Technician is responsible for deploying, configuring, and maintaining field-level communications infrastructure for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) located within Data Centers. This role is highly technical and hands-on, requiring deep knowledge of networking, industrial protocols, controls, and OT/SCADA systems. The technician will support commissioning, troubleshooting, and secure connectivity for distributed site networks across utility-scale renewable energy and energy-storage deployments.

This is a highly hands on, field based role focused on OT network deployment, commissioning, troubleshooting, and onsite implementation within active energy and industrial environments, best suited for candidates who enjoy travel and practical field execution over enterprise IT administration or network architecture.

Network Deployment & Configuration

• Collaborate with control systems, SCADA, EMS, IT, cybersecurity, and commissioning teams to ensure complete, secure, and reliable connectivity for field assets.
• Specify, deploy, and configure routing, switching, wireless, and security hardware (Cisco, Fortinet, Ubiquiti, Cradlepoint, etc.).
• Implement segmented OT networks including VLAN management, VPN configuration, firewall policies, and redundant network pathways.
• Integrate and support industrial communication protocols such as Modbus TCP, Modbus RTU, DNP3, MQTT, OPC-UA, and vendor-specific interfaces.
• Support commissioning of BESS, SCADA servers, RTUs/PLCs, and EMS platforms.
• Establish communication between field devices, HMIs, sensors, relays, networking gear, and remote operations centers.
• Validate I/O, device polling, SCADA mappings, and command pathways between site-level control systems.
• Diagnose issues across hardware, software, and protocol layers in active construction and live plant environments.
• Analyze packet flows, latency, port conflicts, routing loops, and device misconfigurations using industry tools (Wireshark, SolarWinds, etc.).
• Provide remote access and secure tunneling support for engineering, OEMs, and operations teams.

Cybersecurity & Compliance

• Implement cybersecurity controls aligned with NERC CIP, NIST 800-82, ISO/IEC
• Monitor, log, and mitigate vulnerabilities in OT network infrastructure.

Documentation & Quality

• Maintain as-built network diagrams, IP addressing plans, fiber/copper maps, and equipment inventories.
• Update network and control architecture drawings in coordination with SCADA/Engineering teams.
• Follow strict change-management and version-control processes.

Requirements

• 2+ years of hands-on network engineering experience in project-based, industrial, utility, or field-deployment environments.
• Proven experience in IT, commissioning, or deploying project networks (not only operations or enterprise IT support).
• Strong understanding of networking fundamentals and protocols: TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF, STP, VLANs, VPNs, NAT, DHCP, DNS.
• Experience working with OT, SCADA, industrial controls, or power-system environments.
• Ability to read, interpret, and create network, single-line, and control architecture drawings.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to interface across technical and non-technical teams.
• Willingness to travel up to 80% for commissioning, site integration, FAT/SAT, and network deployment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Network Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related technical field.
• Certifications such as CCNP, CCIE, Palo Alto PCNSE, Fortinet NSE4+, CompTIA Security+, GICSP.
• Direct experience with BESS, utility-scale solar, SCADA, EMS, RTAC/PLC systems, or electrical power infrastructure.
• Background in renewable energy, utilities, critical infrastructure, industrial automation, or data centers.
• Experience with structured cabling, fiber termination/testing, OT network segmentation, or substation-grade networking equipment.

For US-based roles - What you’ll get

• Competitive salary + annual performance-based bonus eligibility
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and company holidays

For Mexico-based roles - What you’ll get

• Competitive salary + annual performance bonus eligibility
• Major medical expenses and life insurance
• Paid time off and holidays (per local policy)

For all roles

• Professional development and growth opportunities
• Opportunity to grow with a mission-driven team shaping the future of clean energy
• Equal Opportunity: ON.energy is committed to equal employment opportunity and to maintaining a work environment free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation.
• Accommodations: If you need an accommodation during the application process, email [e-mail]
• Benefits vary by role and location and are subject to change.