Solar Operations and Maintenance Manager

Socket.dev; Petaluma (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401k

Job summary

Simply Solar, a California-based solar solutions provider, seeks an Operations & Maintenance Manager to oversee service delivery, scheduling, and field support. You will coordinate engineers, technicians, and manufacturers to ensure reliable, high‑quality service across pre-energization, commissioning, and warranty work.

The role emphasizes strong communication, project coordination, and a drive to improve processes under an executive team.

Qualifications

• 1+ year of experience in the solar industry (minimum).
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Attention to detail and organisational ability.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field preferred.
• Knowledge of grid-tied, off-grid and hybrid PV systems, troubleshooting and repair.

Responsibilities

• Manage lifecycle of service requests, troubleshooting, quoting, scheduling and follow-up.
• Coordinate pre-energization, commissioning, warranty repairs and field support.
• Lead and train departmental staff; provide performance evaluations.
• Develop and implement policies to ensure quality post-installation service.
• Track client feedback and drive continuous service improvements.
• Serve as liaison between Client Service and other divisions; manage CRM entries.
• Oversee daily workflow, scheduling, dispatching and look-ahead reporting.

Job description

Simply Solar has over a decade of experience designing, building, and maintaining solar systems across California. We are expanding our service and maintenance division to deliver even more value to our customers and partners.

We're looking for a motivated, detail-oriented Operations & Maintenance Manager with technical solar experience to join our team. In this role, you'll serve as the key connection between our customers, field technicians, and manufacturers. Successful candidates will oversee the lifecycle of service requests, troubleshooting, quoting, scheduling, and follow-up. This is a great opportunity to help build out a fast-growing department and collaborate directly with our executive team to develop processes that deliver outstanding service and support.

General Responsibilities:

• Ensure solar systems are functioning and maintained as intended.
• Coordinate and carry out pre-energization, commissioning, warranty repairs, and oversee technical and field support.
• Foster a positive company image through service quality, professionalism, and a sense of urgency.
• Recruit, train, and oversee departmental staff.
• Provide helpful and timely performance evaluations.
• Develop, implement, and carry out policies and procedures to ensure quality post-installation customer service.
• Set service standards and requirements for the department.
• Develop and implement methods to track, evaluate, and analyze client feedback.
• Develop and implement training and quality assurance programs for the Client Service team.
• Identify and recommend upgrades to technology and equipment that could improve customer service and retention.

Daily Duties:

• Manage the department's daily workflow, including scheduling and dispatching maintenance crew members.
• Provide leadership to the Client Services Administrator and Maintenance crew members.
• Serve as a liaison between the Client Service Department and other divisions within the company.
• Maintain the work schedule and three-week look-ahead, providing regular job status reports to the Director of Operations.
• Coordinate and/or respond to service calls as dispatched.
• Diagnose issues in photovoltaic inverters and monitoring systems.
• Review project plans, specifications, and installation instructions to confirm the project is built according to approved design and specifications.
• Coordinate additional field support as needed.
• Track case progress and log communications with clients and manufacturers in the CRM.
• Work with OEMs to determine warranty status of installed equipment.
• Complete Service Work Orders to track travel, labor time, and materials used.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Solid understanding of grid-tied, off-grid, and hybrid PV system design and installation, commissioning procedures, shutdown/LOTO procedures, programming, troubleshooting, monitoring, and repair.
• Strong interpersonal skills and keen attention to detail.
• Strong critical thinking and organizational abilities.
• At least 1 year of experience in the solar industry.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field preferred.
• Knowledge of industrial communications and networking, including wired and wireless networks and system topologies.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Solid analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficient with Google Suite, Salesforce, and related software.
• This role is based in a professional office environment, routinely using standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and copiers.
• Must be able to sit or stand in a stationary position while operating a computer for extended periods.
• Must be able to transport materials and equipment needed to complete assigned tasks: up to 50 pounds individually, and up to 100 pounds with assistance.

Compensation:

• $65,000 - $75,000 / year DOE
• Full medical/dental/vision benefits + 401k