Operations Engineer / Senior Operations Engineer

The Operations Engineer provides engineering support across the operating fleet, with a focus on resolving key technical issues, improving plant reliability, and optimizing performance. This role serves as a plant generalist-bridging field execution, engineering analysis, and vendor engagement across the full plant, from the PV array to the point of interconnection. Working alongside the Power Conversion and Substation Engineers, the position drives resolution of both systemic and site-specific issues and provides operational insight that informs the design, equipment selection, and turnover of new projects.

Main Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary engineering resource for the Asset Operations team, providing troubleshooting support and coordinating corrective action implementation across the plant.
• Drive the resolution of key technical issues across the fleet, including serial defects, major equipment failures, and sustained underperformance.
• Translate field observations, inspection results, and performance data into clear problem statements and actionable solutions.
• Support O&M teams with structured troubleshooting and escalation.
• Own technical issues related to the PV array and DC balance of plant, including modules, trackers, DC collection, and grounding systems.
• Support technical issues on the AC balance of plant, from the padmount transformers to the point of interconnection, including MV collection systems.
• Support performance optimization for operating projects with recurring performance issues and for new projects with latent construction issues.
• Lead the identification and implementation of reliability best practices, including PM optimization, failure and root cause analyses, spare parts strategies, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead the review of engineering-related PM activities (such as thermal imaging and transformer DGA testing) to identify and correct deficiencies.
• Serve as a technical interface with OEMs, EPCs, contractors, and service providers, supporting issue escalation, warranty claims, and oversight of vendor performance.
• Support the engineering-related turnover of new projects from construction to operations, including commissioning review and resolution of technical gaps.
• Provide operational insight to Engineering and Delivery teams through design reviews and new equipment and vendor evaluations.
• Identify and communicate design or operational deficiencies.
• Develop processes, procedures, and tools that help the team manage technical issues efficiently, and support the training and mentoring of team members.
• Collaborate closely with Asset Management, O&M, Performance Engineering, ROC, Compliance, Engineering, and Delivery teams to improve fleet performance.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Electrical Engineering strongly preferred)

Experience

• Operations Engineer: 0-5 years of relevant experience. Senior Operations Engineer: 6+ years of relevant experience.
• Utility-scale solar operations experience required for Senior Operations Engineer and preferred for Operations Engineer.
• Field experience troubleshooting utility-scale solar plant equipment, such as PV array and DC systems, inverters, and MV equipment.
• Experience working with OEMs, EPCs, contractors, and cross-functional teams to resolve technical issues.
• Experience with project turnover, commissioning, or design review is a plus.

Skills

• Broad understanding of utility-scale PV plant systems, including modules, trackers, DC collection, inverters, MV collection, and substations.
• Familiarity with electrical testing and inspection methods, such as insulation resistance, VLF, transformer electrical testing, thermography, and transformer DGA.
• Ability to read and review electrical drawings, single-line diagrams, and equipment specifications.
• Working knowledge of plant SCADA, communications networks, and monitoring systems sufficient to troubleshoot data and communication issues.
• Working knowledge of applicable NEC, NESC, IEEE, IEC, and NETA requirements.
• Proven ability to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues.
• Experience with root cause analysis and reliability practices.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong communication skills and ability to influence outcomes across teams.

What We're Looking For

• A field-proven engineer and plant generalist who is comfortable across the entire PV plant.
• Someone who can connect on-site issues to broader system and fleet impacts.
• Organized and proactive; comfortable managing multiple priorities.
• Comfortable owning technical problems and driving them to resolution.

Our interview process:

A typical interview process at Silicon Ranch might include the below stages. Please note that we may make changes to these steps as needed, and details will be provided to you early on in the process.

1. Introductory Interview with our recruiter
2. Hiring Manager Interview to dive into technical skills and behavioral questions
3. Panel Interview to assess cross-functional skills and dive deeper into technical skills
4. Executive Interview to answer high-level questions about SRC and the team