Off-Grid Solar Commissioning, Service, & Tech Operative

Company Overview

NewGrid is an Off-Grid sales, engineering, construction, and service firm. The project catalog is exclusively Off-Grid and mostly remote. Solar electric power systems with energy storage of all varieties for remote homes, telecom sites, mines, ranches, resorts, and other unique applications are our core capabilities.

Job Overview

The Remote Power Systems Field Service, Commissioning, & Tech Operative position entails tasks, activities and assigned responsibilities associated predominantly with the NewGrid customer fleet of Off-Grid project installations at both new and existing sites. In the Off-Grid Power Systems world, there are elements of field service, commissioning and tech that have evolved into a full time position here at NewGrid. This is altogether separate from the electrical design, engineering, & construction side of the business. The advent of lithium storage, new power conversion technology platforms, satellite IT connectivity, Lithium BMS communications intensity, and larger Off-Grid Microgrid power system architecture makes this an extremely exciting opportunity for the right individual.

Working knowledge of all of the main Off-Grid power conditioning equipment platforms is helpful, although intimate knowledge of just one or two would be qualification enough, as they share similar functionality. A keen grasp on IT and networking is either required or the aptitude to get up to speed fast is required. Ultimately the position demands an individual with some solid IT / networking experience that wants to get into Off-Grid solar and has some power systems electrical knowledge.

A solar power systems designer who knows IT/networking and wants to get out of the office for a while and actually see some systems would do well in the role. An individual who has been in Off-Grid tech support at Outback, Schneider, Sol-Ark, EG4, SMA, etc might be a good fit. A residential/ small commercial grid-connected PV professional (i.e. installer, field supervisor, or project manager) might be a good fit if they’ve been involved in the service end and have intimate knowledge of how grid connected systems with batteries function and how to correct the inevitable communications items when they don't function. This position gets the individual out in front of more Off-Grid PV systems than any position in the country and would offer any willing and able individual an accelerated course in the details of how power systems function and where the failure points are. Candidates must have the capacity to travel and a fully loaded NewGrid service vehicle and mobile Starlink is provided.

An essential skill in today’s Off-Grid environment is computing at all levels and the firm would provide a top notch laptop. So much of what we commission, service, and troubleshoot today is computer based and every newly constructed Off-Grid power system is connected to the internet. We often provide a starlink communications device as a part of the power system. The position requires that alert emails from all power systems in the fleet be evaluated and chased down. Off-Grid C&I type customers that are on our recurring service contracts require a report twice a year; of which entails in-depth analysis on the site functionality. Further to that, there are myriad software programs used to interface with the various power conditioning equipment platforms. With the advent of lithium ESS and the burgeoning number of power conditioning equipment platforms coming to market, computing is perhaps the most critical area of expertise required to be successful in this position. Knowledge of WiFi, networking, CANbus, Modbus, RS485, etc. is essential to the success of this position.

Responsibilities

• Possess the requisite interpersonal communication skills such that they may represent the firm well in front of customers.
• Be genuinely interested in participating in and contributing to the Off-Grid solar sub-industry.
• Possess effective communications skills.
• Have some background with the technical details of at least one of the major power conditioning equipment platforms.
• Be sufficiently self motivated such that they eagerly embrace absorption of the volume of information required to be successful in the position.
• Maintains the necessary attitude, skills, and resilience to work and stay in remote locations, where facilities, creature comforts, and communication are not present.
• Understand and commit to traveling and working with safety at the forefront.

Requirements

• A can-do attitude in the face of uncertainty (NewGrid Motto - ‘’)
• Undergraduate degree in engineering or a penchant for technical details given the inherent complexities of these power systems.
• Passion and desire to learn about existing and emerging renewable energy technologies
• Drive to make meaningful contributions to the solar electric industry.
• Willing and able to travel to remote locations and overnight for multiple days where the workday starts early and ends late, access to traditional facilities is often scarce, and trips are open-ended.
• Working knowledge of various off-grid power conditioning equipment platforms (Schneider, EG4, Lithium networks, Outback, SMA, Sol-Ark, etc) or a strong fundamental understanding of battery-based off-grid power systems
• Working knowledge of Google Sheets and spreadsheet programs
• Ability to read and understand electrical plan sets
• Strong written and verbal skills
• Computer networking skills

Pay: $80,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person