HVAC O&M Technician I

Job Description

Terra-Gen is seeking a highly skilled and specialized BESS HVAC Technician to serve as the technical authority for the critical cooling infrastructure supporting our Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to standards above the industry's best practices. This role is responsible for maintaining high-precision thermal management systems (liquid cooling and forced air systems), that function as the "life support" for our utility-scale battery storage assets, ensuring maximum uptime, reliability, and performance.

This position focuses on precision thermal management systems required to maintain strict temperature control in mission critical, large-scale battery facilities. The BESS HVAC Technician performs but is not limited to both scheduled and unscheduled fieldwork, including installation, advanced troubleshooting, testing, commissioning support, preventive maintenance, and corrective maintenance of complex mechanical, refrigeration, and controls systems.

This role requires advanced diagnostic capability, strong leadership presence, and the ability to manage and optimize sophisticated cooling infrastructure in high-reliability environments. The technician may also be responsible for overseeing and observing the quality and safety practices of contractors performing HVAC corrective maintenance, retrofits and commissioning type work.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter who reports to and takes direction from the Maintenance Supervisor while demonstrating technical leadership in the field. This full-time position is based near Mojave, CA, and may include rotating schedules, overtime, nights, weekends, holidays, and participation in an on-call rotation. Some travel will be required for this position.

This role offers significant opportunities for professional growth within Terra-Gen.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The candidate may perform work independently and/or in a team environment, depending upon skills, experience and job task.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, safe and efficient troubleshooting, testing, repair, and maintenance of HVAC systems supporting Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). The technician will apply established safety protocols and industry best practices while diagnosing and servicing air conditioning, heating, refrigeration, and associated electrical and controls components.

Testing and diagnostic activities include, but are not limited to, open circuit voltage, operating DC current, and resistance measurements; refrigerant pressure and superheat/subcooling verification; leak detection; airflow measurement and static pressure testing; compressor performance analysis; control system signal verification; sensor calibration; and functional performance testing to ensure systems operate within required thermal parameters.

• Lead Maintenance Execution: Direct, guide and train others while accomplishing all scheduled and unscheduled maintenance activities on BESS HVAC and thermal management systems to ensure maximum uptime and reliability while maintaining all warranties.
• Advanced Diagnostics & Repair: Perform complex troubleshooting and repair of refrigeration, electrical, mechanical, and control systems, including industrial HVAC units, chillers, liquid-to-air heat exchangers, and associated components.
• Thermal & Electrical Testing: Conduct diagnostic testing including open circuit voltage, operating DC current, resistance testing, refrigerant pressure analysis, superheat/subcool verification, airflow measurement, static pressure testing, thermography of low and medium voltage equipment, and control system signal validation.
• Coolant System Management: Monitor, flush, refill, and maintain dielectric fluid and glycol-based cooling loops; inspect high-density piping and fittings for integrity and leak prevention.
• System Commissioning & Performance Validation: Commission new systems, validate operational performance, and ensure compliance with design specifications and thermal operating parameters.
• Controls & System Integration: Interface with PLC and SCADA systems to monitor system performance, adjust setpoints, calibrate sensors, and optimize thermal efficiency.
• Emergency Response & Alarm Management: Respond immediately to high-temperature and system alarms to mitigate risk of battery degradation, system failure, or fire hazards.
• Safety Leadership & Compliance: Maintain strict adherence to high-voltage safety standards (including NFPA 70E), complete safe work permits and Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), exercise stop-work authority when required, and promote continuous improvement of environmental, health, and safety practices.
• Contractor Oversight & OEM Coordination: Audit third-party work for safety and quality; coordinate and observe contracted technicians performing troubleshooting and repairs on OEM and medium-voltage equipment; serve as primary technical liaison for OEMs and engineering teams.
• Preventive Maintenance Development: Develop, refine, and implement preventive and predictive maintenance procedures to enhance system reliability and lifecycle performance.
• Root Cause Analysis: Support and lead root cause investigations for system failures and recurring performance issues.
• Documentation & Reporting: Accurately document time, materials, expenses, and maintenance activities in the CMMS; prepare detailed reports for site management outlining findings, corrective actions, and performance trends. Assist with developing and/or refining procedures.
• Professional Leadership & Team Collaboration: Mentor junior technicians, model professional conduct, communicate effectively with cross-functional teams, and contribute positively to a collaborative and diverse work environment.
• Training & Qualification: Complete required training and qualification milestones within established timeframes and demonstrate progressive technical competency in field operations.
• Cyber Security: Understand and apply cybersecurity policies and procedures as required.
• Hazard Recognition: Recognize and identify hazards including lift hazards (crane, rough terrain forklift, etc.).
• Operational Flexibility: Participate in on-call rotation, rotating schedules, and travel to alternate worksites as assigned, to perform essential duties and to provide operational coverage.
• Travel: Travel to alternate worksites as assigned, to perform essential duties and to provide operational coverage.
• Additional Duties: Perform other qualified responsibilities as assigned.

Salary Description

$36.50 - $43.00 Hourly

Requirements

Qualifications

• HVAC Excellence: 4+ years in industrial HVAC or commercial refrigeration. Experience with Chillers and Closed-Loop Cooling is highly preferred.
• Certifications: Valid EPA 608 Universal Certification.
• Electrical Proficiency: Ability to troubleshoot low-voltage control circuits and high-voltage power supplies for cooling fans and pumps.
• Analytical Mindset: Ability to interpret thermal data and pressure logs to predict a pump or compressor failure before it happens.
• Practical knowledge of PV electrical systems and their components and how to safely LOTO the equipment.
• Basic knowledge of ESS and the equipment to include related hazards and how to safely shut it down.
• Ability to safely troubleshoot system failures, to include ground faults.
• Strong analytical, diagnostic, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal, written, communication and presentation skills.
• Strong prioritization skills.
• Driver's license.
• Journeyman or licensed industrial electrician preferred.
• Knowledge of building and structural construction techniques preferred.

Education and/or Experience

• High school graduate or GED.
• 1-4+ years' experience at a Utility-scale Solar Plant.
• Practical experience with electrical wiring and basic construction practices required.
• Technical/Science/Engineering degree, certificate with energy systems preferred.
• Experience with metering and test equipment.
• Ability to organize, prioritize and complete multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to demonstrate a responsive, customer service approach to listening and responding to requests.
• Ability to communicate status of work activities and issues with peers and management as they relate to projects and tasks.
• Experience reading and interpreting electrical, I&C, and mechanical drawings and technical manuals.
• Proficient with the use of a computer and the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• OSHA 10 (Construction/General Industry).
• OSHA 30 (Construction/General Industry) preferred.
• CPR qualification preferred.
• NFPA 70E (Electrical Safety) training preferred.

Communication Skills

• Provide information/analysis to leadership and department managers.
• Create written reports/memos/emails to effectively communicate findings internally and externally.
• Effectively and professionally communicate with leadership, project managers and engineers.
• Effectively and professionally communicate with vendors and contractors.
• Effectively and professionally communicate with Quality/Product Development/Purchasing departments.

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to analyze operating data and identify anomalies.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as percentages, lengths, and electrical values.
• Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra, geometry, and statistical analysis.
• Ability to analyze and troubleshoot problems with utility scale PV systems.
• Ability to analyze, troubleshoot and identify problems with utility scale BESS systems.

Reasoning Ability & Decision-Making Skills

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization may exist. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, verbal, diagram, architectural or electrical drawing, or schedule form.

Physical Demands

• Be able to inspect and work maintenance activities in outdoor construction type areas without handicap access.
• Regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands to dexterously maneuver small parts in confined spaces, such as wires, screws, and various components within electrical equipment.
• Regularly required to kneel, crawl, climb ladders and stairs, use scissor lifts and manlift (cherry picker).
• Lift 50 pounds unassisted and up to 100 pounds assisted.

Work Environment

Some of the work will be performed in an office environment; however, the environment for field inspections exposes the employee to the risk of electric shock, heights, moving mechanical parts, hazardous materials, chemicals, fumes, and airborne particles. Additionally, while working outdoors, the employee is exposed to heat, cold, inclement weather, and ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The noise levels may require hearing protection.

Terra-Gen is an equal opportunity employer, drug-free workplace, and complies with Americans with Disabilities Act and related laws and regulations as applicable. All applicants are considered for all positions without regard to age, race, religion, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, physical/mental disability, medical condition, military/veteran status, genetic information, marital status, ethnicity, alienage, or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment background check and drug screening. Employees must be authorized to work in the US and employment is contingent upon presentation of acceptable documents as evidence of identity and employment authorization, as detailed on Form I-9.

Terra-Gen provides a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time off, paid holidays, and 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match.

The posted compensation is the range that we in good faith anticipate relying on when setting wages for this position. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This salary range may also be modified in the future, depending upon skills, experience, education, and geographical location.