Service Engineer (Needville, TX)

SMA America; Needville (TX); On-site; USD 41,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Onsite work in Needville, TX

Professional development

Job summary

SMA America is seeking a Service Engineer to maintain utility and commercial inverters at a Needville, TX site. The role is full-time, onsite at a solar site and requires residing within one hour of Needville, TX.

You will handle field maintenance, inspections, and equipment operations to ensure reliable solar performance. The position demands 2+ years of PV solar/O&M experience and strong electrical/network skills; NABCEP certification and an electrical license are preferred.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of PV Solar and/or PV Solar O&M experience.
• 3+ years of electrical, electronic, and/or network communications experience.
• O&M field experience preferred; back-shop experience acceptable.
• California Electrical License or Electrical Contractors license preferred.
• NABCEP Certification strongly preferred.
• Associate degree or equivalent technical experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Commission, troubleshoot, repair, and analyze inverter and PV solar equipment in the field.
• Perform DC tracker maintenance, panel replacement, substation switching, site inspections, and inverter operations.
• Operate heavy equipment as required by site conditions.
• Develop knowledge of SMA products, PV accessories, and site equipment.
• Maintain knowledge of NEC/NFPA70E/NESC/OSHA codes.
• Work with SCADA and third-party monitoring systems.
• Perform O&M activities across the full site scope.

Skills

PV solar O&M

Electrical knowledge

Communication skills

English proficiency

German/Spanish language skills

Education

Associate degree or equivalent technical field

NABCEP Certification (preferred)

Electrical license (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Why Work at SMA America

Power the future. Build your career at SMA America.

As the U.S. subsidiary of SMA Solar Technology AG, we have been at the forefront of solar inverter technology since 1981, developing solutions that make photovoltaic power plants simpler, safer, more reliable, and more cost effective. Headquartered in Rocklin, California, SMA America has spent more than two decades helping homes, businesses, and utilities across the country generate clean, reliable power. We are the only inverter manufacturer in the world offering solutions for every system size, from residential rooftops to large scale utility plants, backed by more than 1,500 patents and a presence in over 190 countries.

Innovation is only part of the story. We invest in our people, create room to grow, challenge conventional thinking, and protect a culture where teammates genuinely care about each other and the work. We hire capable people and give them the space to do the job, with clear expectations, open door leadership, and real autonomy.

If you are passionate about driving positive change and want a career where you can take ownership of your work, we would love to meet you. Together, we are not just part of the energy transition, we are helping drive it forward.

WORK AUTHORIZATION

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. SMA America does not offer employment visa sponsorship of any kind, including H-1B, OPT, CPT, or TN visas. Candidates who currently require or will in the future require visa sponsorship are not eligible for this role. Candidates operating under a temporary work permit or any visa-tied employment authorization are also not eligible.

AI-GENERATED APPLICATION MATERIALS

We review all resumes and application materials for AI-generated content. Submissions that show evidence of AI manipulation, including AI-written resumes, cover letters, or responses, will be disqualified from consideration without further review. We want to hear your authentic voice and see your genuine experience.

RECRUITMENT FRAUD NOTICE

All SMA America openings are posted on our official careers page and all recruiter communication comes from an @sma-america.com address. We never request payment, banking information, or a Social Security number during the recruitment process. If you are contacted about an SMA America role from a personal email account, or asked for any of the above, please forward the message to [e-mail].

PURPOSE OF POSITION

The Service Engineer is responsible for maintaining utility and commercial inverters, PV Solar equipment, and customer site equipment at an assigned onsite location. This is a full-time, onsite-only role based at a utility-scale solar site in Needville, TX. Candidates must reside within one hour of the site (102 J C Wicks, Needville, TX 77461).

PRIMARY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

• Commissions, troubleshoots, repairs, and analyzes utility and commercial inverters, PV Solar equipment, and customer site equipment in the field.
• Performs DC tracker system maintenance, panel replacement, substation switching, site inspections, and inverter system operations.
• Operates heavy equipment as required by site conditions and scope.
• Develops a detailed knowledge of SMA's and other utility and commercial inverter products, associated PV accessories, site equipment, and third-party accessories installed at the customer site.
• Maintains a working knowledge of applicable National Electric and Electrical Safety Codes (NEC, NFPA70E, NESC, OSHA).
• Regularly works with high voltage DC electricity, low and medium voltage three-phase power, SCADA or third-party monitoring, and the relevant software and firmware of inverter and site equipment.
• Performs O&M activities across the full scope of the site — not limited to inverter work.
• Maintains a high level of customer satisfaction.
• Other duties may be required or assigned.

REQUIRED RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• At least 2 years of experience in PV Solar and/or PV Solar O&M.
• At least 3 years of experience in electrical, electronic, and/or network communications are required.
• O&M field experience strongly preferred; back-shop or shop electrical backgrounds also considered.
• California Electrical License or Electrical Contractors license preferred.
• NABCEP Certification is strongly preferred.
• An associate's degree or equivalent years of service in a technical field is strongly preferred.

OTHER SPECIALIZED SKILLS

• Knowledge of solar and/or alternative energy markets is preferred.
• Knowledge of National Electric Code(s) and Electrical Safety Code(s) is preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required.
• Proficiency in the English language, both written and verbal, is required. German and/or Spanish language skills are a plus.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) is required.
• Attention to detail and a high level of accuracy are required.
• Ability to analyze and solve problems effectively.
• Ability to work from heights, on ladders, or lift equipment. Forklift experience a plus.
• On-call availability required; daily onsite presence is expected.

WE OFFER

• Compensation range: $30.00 – $31.50 per hour, dependent upon experience.
• Comprehensive benefits including health, dental, and vision coverage (including $0 premium options).
• Work Location: This is a full-time, onsite-only position. Candidates must reside within one hour of the site in Needville, TX. Remote work is not available for this role.
• 401(k) plan with company match.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• Inclusive, collaborative, and innovative work environment.

Our EEO Policy

We are an equal opportunity employer and we make our employment decisions on the basis of merit and without regard to one's race, color, creed, sex (includes gender, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender identity, religion, marital status, age (over 40), national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability (includes HIV/Aids), medical condition (cancer, genetic characteristics), veteran's status, sexual orientation, or any other consideration made unlawful by law.

In accordance with applicable law protecting qualified individuals with known disabilities, SMA will attempt to reasonably accommodate qualified applicants with known disabilities, unless doing so would create an undue hardship on SMA. Any qualified applicant with a disability who believes he or she requires an accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of the job for which he or she is applying should identify the accommodation(s) needed in the application.

Our Privacy Policy

During your job application or recruitment process with us: (a) SMA may collect your personal information directly from you, such as when you submit your application and resume on our online portal or when you have job interviews with us. We may also obtain your personal information from third parties, including but not limited to your former employers, background or employment check service providers or third-party recruiters; and, (b) SMA may use or process applicants' personal information for relevant purposes including but not limited to general communications with you, identity verification, background or employment checks, determination of eligibility, and making hiring decisions. For successful job applicants who become SMA's staff, we may retain and integrate your personal information collected during the recruitment process into your records at SMA.

If you are a California resident, you have specific rights regarding your personal information under the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018, as amended including by the California Privacy Rights Act of 2020, and its implementing regulations (the "CCPA"). This Company Personnel and Covered Individuals Privacy Notice for California Residents issued by SMA is applicable to you and explains your CCPA rights and our collection, use or disclosure of your personal information.

If you have any question regarding our privacy policy, please contact us at [e-mail]