Solar Farm Technician Associate

RWE; Williams (CA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

RWE Americas, LLC is seeking a Solar Farm Technician Associate to support the safe operation, maintenance, and repair of solar PV systems at a California site. You will perform routine O&M tasks, assist with installations, inspections, and troubleshooting under supervision, and contribute to safety and regulatory compliance.

The role requires a high school diploma (associate degree preferred) and 1+ year in renewable energy, with familiarity in SCADA, electrical literacy, and tool usage.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Certificate or Associate’s degree in renewable energy technology, electrical technology, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 1 year of renewable energy installation or maintenance experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of solar PV systems and basic electrical infrastructure.
• Ability to safely use hand and power tools, meters and diagnostic equipment.
• Willingness to continue developing technical knowledge through on-the-job training.

Responsibilities

• Safely perform solar O&M activities by following site procedures and safety rules.
• Identify hazards, report near misses, and support a strong safety culture.
• Comply with EH&S requirements and PPE protocols.
• Assist with installation, maintenance and repair of solar PV systems under supervision.
• Conduct routine inspections using checklists and basic diagnostic tools.
• Troubleshoot solar PV system issues using alarms and monitoring data.
• Support senior technicians with tools, test equipment and spares.
• Monitor system performance with SCADA and record data for analysis.
• Document maintenance activities in SAP and support maintenance planning.
• Participate in ongoing technical/safety training to expand responsibilities.
• Be available for on-call work with prompt response.

Skills

Safety awareness

Electrical knowledge

Troubleshooting

Tool use

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate/certificate in renewable energy tech

Tools

SCADA

Diagnostic tools

SAP

Job description

RWE Americas, LLC

To start as soon as possible, full time, permanent

Functional area: Operations & Maintenance

Remuneration: Non-Exempt

The Solar Farm Technician Associate supports the safe operation, maintenance, and repair of solar PV systems to ensure reliable energy production and compliance with safety and regulatory standards. The role performs routine maintenance and assists with troubleshooting under limited supervision while continuing to develop technical skills and industry knowledge.

Role Responsibilities:

• Performs solar operations and maintenance activities safely by following site procedures, job hazard analyses, and lockout/tagout requirements to protect personnel and equipment; requires continuous risk awareness and attention to detail
• Demonstrates proactive safety behavior by identifying, reporting, and correcting potential hazards and near misses to support a strong safety culture; requires observation, judgment, and clear communication
• Complies with Environmental, Health, and Safety requirements by properly using personal protective equipment and adhering to regulatory and environmental controls during all tasks to ensure compliance and minimize risk
• Assists with installation, maintenance, and repair of solar PV systems, including modules, racking, wiring, inverters, combiner boxes, and trackers, by completing assigned mechanical and electrical tasks under supervision; requires technical aptitude and problem solving
• Conducts routine inspections of solar equipment and infrastructure using checklists, visual inspections, and basic diagnostic tools to identify faults, wear, or abnormal conditions before failures occur; requires analytical thinking and attention to detail
• Performs basic troubleshooting of solar PV system issues by interpreting alarms, fault codes, and monitoring data to help isolate problems and restore normal operation; requires logical reasoning and data interpretation
• Supports senior technicians by helping maintain tools, test equipment, and spares in a ready state for planned work
• Monitors system performance using SCADA and monitoring platforms to track operating parameters and collect accurate data for performance analysis and reporting; requires basic computer and system knowledge
• Accurately documents maintenance activities and repairs in SAP and provide basic technical input to support maintenance planning and scheduling
• Participates in ongoing technical and safety training to develop knowledge of solar PV systems, electrical theory, and maintenance best practices, enabling increased responsibility and independent task execution over time
• Serves in an on-call capacity as assigned, maintaining continuous availability via mobile phone, responding to management or dispatch communications within 30 minutes, reporting to the work site within 2 hours when required, and remaining fit for duty at all times during on-call periods

Job Requirements and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Certificate or Associate’s degree in renewable energy technology, electrical technology, or related field preferred
• Minimum 1 or more years of experience in renewable energy installation or maintenance preferred
• Working knowledge of solar PV systems, including modules, inverters, combiner boxes, LBDs trackers, and basic electrical infrastructure
• Ability to safely use hand and power tools, meters, and diagnostic equipment while adhering to Environmental, Health, and Safety policies and PPE requirements
• Ability to perform routine and preventive maintenance tasks with periodic supervision, escalating complex issues as needed
• Basic troubleshooting skills with the ability to interpret alarms, fault codes, and system monitoring data to assist in resolving equipment issues
• Ability to read and interpret basic electrical and mechanical drawings, schematics, and technical manuals
• Developing understanding of energy isolation (LOTO) procedures and electrical/mechanical hazard recognition
• Strong situational awareness and ability to identify, report, and mitigate potential safety hazards
• Ability to document maintenance activities accurately and completely in SAP and complete work orders in a timely manner
• Effective communication skills and ability to work collaboratively within installation and maintenance teams.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize work assignments, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Willingness to continue developing technical knowledge through on-the-job training and industry certification programs

Physical Requirements:

The position requires the ability to lift up to 50 lbs., walk long distances on uneven terrain, stand for extended periods, climb ladders and equipment structures, and occasionally work at heights or in confined spaces. Flexible hours, including weekends or on-call support, may be required

Work Environment:

Work is performed primarily outdoors at a solar farm and includes exposure to varying weather conditions such as heat, cold, wind, and direct sunlight. The role involves working around electrical and mechanical equipment and requires strict adherence to safety procedures and PPE.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. RWE Americas is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time.

Pay range:

The hourly base salary range for this position in California is $25.93 - $35.09. The listed salary range represents our good faith estimate for this position and represents the range for new hire salaries across all U.S locations. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. RWE considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s education & work experience, training & certifications, and key skills as well as market and business considerations at the time of the offer.

Benefits offered:

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays. Eligible employees also participate in short-term incentives, in addition to salary.

We look forward to meeting you. Of course, you can find us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Xing, too.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

RWE Americas, a subsidiary of RWE, is a US-based energy company that is helping to meet the growing demand for energy across the United States. Backed by RWE’s 125-year global legacy of managing diverse power assets, RWE Americas operates approximately 13 GW of power projects across 27 states. With a talented workforce of 2,000 employees, RWE Americas develops, constructs and operates wind, solar and battery storage projects that safely deliver affordable, reliable electricity to our customers. Committed to responsible development, RWE Americas invests in local and rural communities, creating jobs and partnering with stakeholders to support and strengthen the places where we live and work. Learn more about how RWE Americas is generating impact at americas.rwe.com.

At RWE Americas, we foster a culture defined by our Essential Behaviors – Have Courage, Create Impact and Actively Collaborate. We encourage bold thinking and continuous learning, and we value ownership, resilience and inclusion in everything we do. When you join us, you become part of a team that supports your development, respects your contributions and celebrates shared success. This is a place where you can grow your career and make a meaningful difference.