Field Network Technician - BESS

Location: Site based in United States (Amarillo, TX initially), 80% plus travel

Compensation: Hourly with overtime eligibility and per diem

Position Overview

The BESS Field Network Technician is responsible for deploying, configuring, and maintaining field-level communications infrastructure for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) located within Data Centers. This role is highly technical and hands-on, requiring deep knowledge of networking, industrial protocols, controls, and OT/SCADA systems. The technician will support commissioning, troubleshooting, and secure connectivity for distributed site networks across utility-scale renewable energy and energy-storage deployments.

Network Deployment & Configuration

• Collaborate with control systems, SCADA, EMS, IT, cybersecurity, and commissioning teams to ensure complete, secure, and reliable connectivity for field assets.

• Specify, deploy, and configure routing, switching, wireless, and security hardware (Cisco, Fortinet, Ubiquiti, Cradlepoint, etc.).

• Implement segmented OT networks including VLAN management, VPN configuration, firewall policies, and redundant network pathways.

• Integrate and support industrial communication protocols such as Modbus TCP, Modbus RTU, DNP3, MQTT, OPC-UA, and vendor-specific interfaces.

• Support commissioning of BESS, SCADA servers, RTUs/PLCs, and EMS platforms.

• Establish communication between field devices, HMIs, sensors, relays, networking gear, and remote operations centers.

• Validate I/O, device polling, SCADA mappings, and command pathways between site-level control systems.

• Diagnose issues across hardware, software, and protocol layers in active construction and live plant environments.

• Analyze packet flows, latency, port conflicts, routing loops, and device misconfigurations using industry tools (Wireshark, SolarWinds, etc.).

• Provide remote access and secure tunneling support for engineering, OEMs, and operations teams.

Cybersecurity & Compliance

• Implement cybersecurity controls aligned with NERC CIP, NIST 800-82, ISO/IEC

• Monitor, log, and mitigate vulnerabilities in OT network infrastructure.

Documentation & Quality

• Maintain as-built network diagrams, IP addressing plans, fiber/copper maps, and equipment inventories.

• Update network and control architecture drawings in coordination with SCADA/Engineering teams.

• Follow strict change-management and version-control processes.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Network Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related technical field.

• 3+ years of hands-on network engineering experience in project-based, industrial, utility, or field-deployment environments.

• Proven experience designing, commissioning, or deploying project networks (not only operations or enterprise IT support).

• Strong understanding of networking fundamentals and protocols: TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF, STP, VLANs, VPNs, NAT, DHCP, DNS.

• Experience working with OT, SCADA, industrial controls, or power-system environments.

• Ability to read, interpret, and create network, single-line, and control architecture drawings.

• Strong communication skills with the ability to interface across technical and non-technical teams.

• Willingness to travel up to 80% for commissioning, site integration, FAT/SAT, and network deployment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certifications such as CCNP, CCIE, Palo Alto PCNSE, Fortinet NSE4+, CompTIA Security+, GICSP.

• Direct experience with BESS, utility-scale solar, SCADA, EMS, RTAC/PLC systems, or electrical power infrastructure.

• Background in renewable energy, utilities, critical infrastructure, industrial automation, or data centers.

• Experience with structured cabling, fiber termination/testing, OT network segmentation, or substation-grade networking equipment.