Solar Field Technician - Chicago, IL

QE Solar; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% paid employee health premiums

Wellbeing and Employee Assistance

Perks at Work Marketplace

Family Building and Adoption Support

Discounted Life & Disability Insurance

Job summary

QE Solar is seeking a Solar Field Technician to provide on-site field services for solar and BESS systems. You will perform inspections, maintenance, testing, and troubleshooting to optimize performance and reliability across multiple sites.

Join a team that prioritizes safety, training, and hands-on development. The role demands physical stamina, the ability to work in varied environments, and familiarity with high-voltage equipment and safety standards. Location is Chicago, IL.

Qualifications

• 0-2+ years of specialist, technical experience with solar projects, BESS, or other renewable systems; Experience with data acquisition systems.
• Experience with 600v-1500v systems; Strong knowledge of NEC, IEEE and NFPA-70e requirements; Proficient with technology and computing programs/platforms; C&I/Utility Scale solar work experience.
• Experience with field operations, inspections, maintenance projects, equipment testing and compliance.
• Inverter and/or BESS manufacturer certifications (SunGrow, Power Electronics, Solectria, BYD, etc) a plus; Thermography certifications (Level 1).
• IT/networking skills: Familiarity with RS485, Modbus, tcp/ip, etc.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose and repair systems failures at existing solar sites and support field teams with real-time site solutions.
• Ensure safe work environment by following safety procedures, LOTO, JHA, and LDL testing.
• Prepare service tickets and reports for site visits and emergency repairs; provide clear written and verbal updates.
• Coordinate with technical leads, project leads and subcontractors to resolve activities and address safety concerns.

Skills

Physical stamina

Problem solving

Communication

Safety awareness

Education

High School or Technical School

Inverter/BESS certifications

NFPA 70E certification

Tools

RS485

Modbus

tcp/ip

Job description

We're making clean energy more efficient! For over a decade, theteam at QE Solar has brought technical expertise, curiosity, and aninvestigative approach to the Solar Operations & Maintenancesector, maximizing asset uptime and return on investment whileprioritizing safety. QE Solar manages well over 3GWs of PV/BESSprojects and hundreds of employees, providing renewable assets owners the most reliable renewable asset service from coast-to-coast. QE Solar is known for an owner’s mindset in deliveringconsistent quality and service to our clients with a sense of urgency because we know maintenance issues impact the bottom line.

As a Solar Field Technician at QE Solar, you are responsible for providing ongoing field services support to multiple solar, battery storage (BESS) or other renewable energy systems on a continual/on-demand basis in order to optimize equipment performance, troubleshoot/resolve equipment issues, support emergency repairs and other provide ongoing O&M compliance support. In this role you will assist with all routine site inspections, maintenance projects, equipment & system testing, and other project compliance, troubleshoot or restoration matters. Field Service Technicians regularly participate in field support, training and project safety orientations/classes in order to develop skills and technical expertise in one or multiple disciplines including PV array, inverter, medium voltage, BESS and other solar services. Operations Leads, Solar Engineers and other management will provide regular coaching and training and will qualify technicians for field operations.

Essential Duties:

• Diagnose and repair systems failures as existing solar sites, identify and correct potential issues that may impact site performance in the future. Assist and support field teams with real-time solutions to site operations issues and execute the same. Diagnose/troubleshoot equipment failures and perform regular preventative maintenance on a variety of solar, BESS and other project equipment. Support field teams and clients via oversight/support of warranty matters regarding equipment and systems for use or replacement. Installs, removes, troubleshoots and the maintenance of solar, BESS and other related electrical equipment.
• Ensure a safe, event-free work environment through strict adherence to company and client protocols, safety procedures and regulations. Ensure compliance with all safety requirements and safe best practices (e.g lock-out/tag-out compliance, JHA completion, LDL testing, and compliance with all company safety policies or procedures and work practices).
• Prepare service tickets and reports for site visits, emergency repairs, equipment modifications and equipment improvement investigations. Provide reports, written and oral communication in a timely and complete fashion.
• Communicate with technical leads, project leads/managers, and third-party sub-contractors to ensure timely resolution to all required activities; Support recommended performance improvements and at address site safety and compliance concerns; Other responsibilities as directed by manager.

Education Required:

• High School or Technical School Degree, Or, equivalent combination of education and experience; Veterans or military experienced candidates are strongly encouraged to apply

Experience Required:

• 0-2+ years of specialist, technical experience with solar projects, BESS, or other renewable systems; Experience with data acquisition systems.

Experience Preferred:

• Experience working with 600v-1500v systems; Strong knowledge of NEC, IEEE and current NFPA-70e requirements; Proficient with technology and computing programs/platforms; C&I/Utility Scale solar work experience; Experience with operations of solar sites and/or project maintenance and compliance.

Specialized or Technical Knowledge Licenses, Certifications Preferred:

• Inverter and/or BESS manufacturers’ certifications (e.g SunGrow, Power Electronics, Solectria, BYD, etc) a plus
• Thermography certifications (Level 1)
• IT/networking skills: Familiarity with RS485, Modbus, tcp/ip, etc.
• Completion of NFPA 70E courses
• CPR/First Aid

This position requires:

• Working in indoor and outdoor environments, including solar sites, construction sites, and industrial facilities, in varying weather conditions (heat, cold, wind, rain, etc.)
• Prolonged periods of standing, walking, bending, kneeling, crouching, and climbing on uneven terrain
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and equipment up to 50 pounds or more, with or without assistance
• Use of hands and fingers to operate tools, testing equipment, and technical devices with precision
• Ability to safely climb ladders, scaffolding, and work at heights
• Ability to work in confined spaces and near energized equipment while maintaining strict adherence to safety protocols
• Visual acuity to read blueprints, schematics, and technical documents, and to identify potential hazards
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, harnesses, arc-flash protection, and other job-specific gear
• Effective verbal communication skills to coordinate with team members, supervisors, and other trades in active work environments

QE Solar offers incredible benefits! We enjoy:

• 100% paid employee premium on health benefits; additional dependents at low costs and great plans for Health, Dental, Vision, FSA or HSA
• Wellbeing and Employee Assistance
• Perks at Work Marketplace for discounts on gym memberships, classes, tech, vacations, tickets, and more
• Family Building and Adoption Assistance Programs
• Discounted Life & Disability Insurance

QE Solar is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The physical and mental demands described below are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. This role is performed primarily in field, construction, or industrial environments. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Workplace Type: On-site

Salary Range: $25.00 - $35.00 per hour

Employment Type: Full-time

Location: Chicago, IL United States