Solar Operations & Maintenance Manager

Onward Energy; Bakersfield (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Onward Energy is seeking a Solar Operations & Maintenance Manager in Bakersfield, CA, to lead the safe, reliable operation of solar plants. This role directs supervisors, plans maintenance, and drives continuous improvement while coordinating with cross-functional teams.

Success requires 7+ years in power generation operations/maintenance, including solar, and proven leadership in budgeting and contractor management. Strong EH&S focus and mobility to manage multiple sites are essential.

Qualifications

• Seven (7) years of work experience in operations and/or maintenance in power generation, transmission, and/or distribution, including at least two (2) years in the solar industry and at least two (2) years in a lead or supervisory position.
• Associate or bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Power Generation, or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight for assigned PV plant sites to ensure safe, reliable, and cost-effective operations.
• Own overall site performance, budget execution, workforce development, contractor strategy, reliability improvement, and safety performance.
• Lead and develop Solar O&M Supervisors and site personnel through coaching, mentoring, training, and performance management.
• Develop annual operating budgets and manage site expenditures within approved financial plans.
• Lead annual maintenance planning, outage planning, major maintenance campaigns, and long-term asset preservation strategies.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Project management

Safety leadership

Communication

Team leadership

Education

Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Power Generation, or related field

Tools

MS Office

CMMS

Job description

Job Title: Solar Operations & Maintenance Manager

Reports To: Solar Regional Manager

Direct Reports: Yes

Functional Unit: Asset Management & Operations

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Type: Full-Time

Location: Bakersfield, California

THE COMPANY

Onward Energy is an independent power platform that owns and operates over 7 GW of utility-scale wind, solar and natural gas generation projects across the U.S. Our Vision is to reliably power a sustainable future. Our Mission is that as North America�s premier independent power generator, we will deliver renewable and reliable power to our customers, opportunities to our employees, sustainable returns to the families who invest in us, and a better world to the next generation. Corporate offices are in Denver, New York and Charlotte, and we are where renewable meets reliable. See www.onwardenergy.com for more information.

THE CHALLENGE

This position reports to the Solar Regional Manager. The Solar O&M Manager provides leadership and oversight for assigned PV plant sites, with responsibility for safe, reliable, compliant, and cost-effective operations. This role owns overall site performance, budget execution, workforce development, contractor strategy, reliability improvement, compliance execution, process development, and coordination with cross-functional support teams. The Solar O&M Manager ensures that plant objectives are achieved through effective leadership of supervisors and site personnel, strong operational discipline, and continuous improvement of safety, reliability, availability, and cost performance.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure the highest level of health, safety, and environmental performance through strict adherence to company policies, procedures, and operational standards.
• Provide leadership, direction, and oversight for assigned solar facilities to ensure safe, reliable, and cost-effective operations.
• Lead and develop Solar O&M Supervisors and site personnel through coaching, mentoring, training, and performance management.
• Establish performance expectations and drive accountability for safety, plant performance, compliance, employee development, and operational excellence.
• Foster a culture of safety, ownership, teamwork, continuous improvement, and employee engagement.
• Ensure compliance with all company policies, environmental requirements, NERC requirements, and applicable regulatory obligations.
• Own overall operational performance for assigned facilities, including availability, reliability, generation performance, safety metrics, maintenance execution, and budget performance.
• Develop annual operating budgets and manage site expenditures within approved financial plans.
• Monitor spending trends, forecast operating expenses, and identify opportunities for cost optimization while maintaining reliability and safety expectations.
• Establish facility goals, key performance indicators (KPIs), and operational objectives aligned with company targets.
• Lead reliability improvement initiatives through equipment performance monitoring, root cause analysis, corrective action programs, and predictive maintenance strategies.
• Partner with Asset Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, Compliance, and the Remote Operations Center (ROC) to improve plant performance and operational efficiency.
• Ensure maintenance programs are implemented in accordance with PV industry best practices, manufacturer recommendations, and company standards.
• Provide oversight of CMMS processes to ensure work order quality, data accuracy, maintenance compliance, and asset history integrity.
• Lead annual maintenance planning, outage planning, major maintenance campaigns, and long-term asset preservation strategies.
• Develop contractor performance expectations and oversee strategic vendor relationships to ensure safe, cost-effective, and high-quality service delivery.
• Review and approve scopes of work, contractor performance metrics, and major maintenance activities.
• Ensure contractor and third-party services are properly managed in accordance with company procurement, safety, and operational requirements.
• Ensure compliance with contractual obligations including PPAs, LGIAs, service agreements, warranties, landowner agreements, and other operational commitments.
• Identify operational risks and develop mitigation strategies to improve safety, reliability, and long-term asset performance.
• Support fleet-wide standardization initiatives and implementation of operational best practices across assigned facilities.
• Lead staffing, workforce planning, succession planning, and organizational development efforts for assigned regions.
• Provide operational updates, performance reporting, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
• Support audits, compliance reviews, due diligence activities, and regulatory inspections.
• Represent Operations in cross-functional initiatives, capital projects, and strategic business discussions.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

THE PROFILE TO SUCCEED

• Associate or bachelor�s degree in Engineering, Physics, Power Generation, or related field preferred. Applicable years of experience may substitute for degree.
• Seven (7) years of work experience in operations and/or maintenance in power generation, transmission, and/or distribution, including at least two (2) years in the solar industry and at least two (2) years in a lead or supervisory position.
• Ability to plan, organize, schedule, and direct safe operation and maintenance activities across multiple complex projects or sites.
• Demonstrated understanding of power plant operations, EH&S compliance, budgeting, personnel management, maintenance execution, and performance management.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills with the ability to promote business initiatives and influence cross-functional stakeholders.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office Suite programs and enterprise work management systems.
• Advanced technical knowledge of PV inverters, tracking systems, DC systems, medium voltage equipment, communication systems, and plant controls preferred.
• Ability to anticipate and adapt to changes in the organization and operating environment.
• Self-starter with ability to make decisions and take necessary actions without specific direction.
• Effective time management, organizational skills, multi-tasking capability, and attention to detail.
• Ability to work well independently and as part of a cross-functional team.
• Valid U.S. driver license with acceptable MVR history.

THE PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to accomplish physical requirements with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Hazardous conditions include working in confined spaces, exposure to bloodborne pathogens, exposure to energized electrical equipment, and working in extreme hot and cold conditions.
• The work may require providing first aid/CPR and maintaining First Aid/CPR/AED certification.
• The work may require irregular hours depending on site operations and the unpredictable needs of the solar plant.
• Ability to travel up to 10% or as business needs require.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment, including but not limited to steel/composite-toed shoes, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, protective jacket or apron, and arm guards.
• Will sit, stand, or walk short distances for up to the entire duration of a shift.
• Will lift, push, or pull up to 50 pounds on an occasional basis.
• Must be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures.

THE TEAM

The Onward Energy team is comprised of industry professionals who embrace our values of accountability, adaptability, collaboration, and excellence. At Onward Energy, we seek to find solutions rather than assign blame.

THE WORK ENVIRONMENT

Performing this job without full and focused attention may cause serious injury or fatality. Work is generally performed outside at project sites and may include weather conditions ranging from warm/hot to cool/cold, occasional rain, and moderate to high noise levels. Job sites may contain light to heavy equipment, vehicles, materials, communication equipment, tools, personnel walking and working, alarms, bells, whistles, and other active industrial conditions. The role also routinely uses standard office equipment such as a laptop computer, phone, scanner, and printer.

THE TOTAL REWARDS

Onward Energy�s total rewards philosophy is motivated by a key tenet of People First and offers associates a comprehensive total rewards package, including market competitive compensation, health, life insurance, and retirement savings benefits.

If you require an accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact [e-mail].

EEO STATEMENT

Onward Energy is an Affinection Action Employer, Females/Minority/Veterans/Disabled/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, and responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.