Techworks Engineer, West Central England

~ Solarcentury has embarked on the most exciting stage of its near twenty year history. ~

We are growing further into an international utility-scale solar developer. We finance, develop, construct, own and operate our own large-scale projects. This approach is enabling us to accelerate our mission of making a positive difference in the fight against climate change.

Position Overview

We are looking for a highly motivated individual to join our Techworks team based near Reading. If this sounds like you and you would like to be considered for this position, please apply by sending us a copy of your up to date CV. The succesful candidate will have responsibility for the region of West Central England. 

Reports directly to the O&M Techworks manager within the O&M team. Contribute to the work of the O&M team under the leadership of the Service Delivery Director. 

Role:

• To join a team of at present seven on site engineers and a team manager to provide expert practical, technical and analytical support to maximise the performance of Solarcentury PV installations.

Outline Job Description:

• To manage a regional site portfolio and ensure that PV systems on those sites operate to their full potential.
• To provide a technical support service for PV systems both on site and from the office as part of the O&M team.
• To ensure all activity on sites is carried out safely.
• To achieve best value in services provided by the O&M team and its various subcontractors.

Responsibilities

People:

• Manage and audit subcontracted maintenance services across your regional site portfolio ensuring suppliers fulfill their contractual requirements.
• Directly manage the O&M provision on in-house sites and engage and manage the additional resource needed to provide the O&M services on these sites.
• Provide training and technical support to maintenance suppliers.
• Lead technical investigations to establish root causes of PV system problems and provide planned responses to resolve these problems.Devise and maintain safe working practices across the sites in your region.

Technical:

• Use experienced gained in PV engineering or maintenance to be responsible for the successful technical operation of PV plants once constructed and commissioned.
• Provide 2nd line technical support to maintenance subcontractors across your region.
• Use software management, monitoring systems and investigative programmes to track the condition of PV installations.
• Diagnose issues and provide support for PV installations.
• Contribute to the design, building, installation, configuration, fault finding and maintenance of PV monitoring systems.
• Inspect and assess aspects of all types of PV installation including construction quality and environmental impact.
• Work with the Engineering and Project team to feed back into system design information to prevent reoccurrence of problems in future.

Commercial:

• Ensure that all activities are undertaken in as sustainable manner as possible and look for ‘best value’ including travel, design input, method of work and sourcing of equipment.
• Work to reduce costs of maintenance activity and find efficiencies in subcontractor methods and practices.

Administrative:

• Maintain accurate records within the company database of all site work.
• Provide clear, accurate documentation of site visits and works undertaken and communicate these reports to the O&M Team.
• Contribute to co-ordination of the Field Engineering Team with regard to all site works and associated tasks such as maintenance of vehicles and calibration of test equipment.
• Role requires travel within region of responsibility plus occasional travel to London or other regions.
• Very occasional travel to or remote support given to colleagues in Europe, Africa, South America and other locations expected.

Qualifications

Essential:

• Qualified electrician, electrical engineer or PV engineer.
• Qualified to test and inspect electrical circuits to standards set down in BS7671:2008(2011).
• Ability to work co-operatively within a small team to develop remedial and design solutions to PV system problems.
• A self-starting problem solving nature.
• Commitment to Solarcentury’s mission and working principles is essential.

Desirable:

• Experience in the installation and maintenance of roof mounted PV systems.
• Experience in the installation and maintenance of solar farm multi MW PV systems.
• High Voltage qualifications AP or SAP.
• Knowledge and experience of HV installations and transformers.
• Health and safety supervisor or management experience.
• Qualifications or training in specific PV inverter technologies: SMA, Power1, ABB, Solarmax, Mastervolt, Fronius, Huawei.
• Ability to manage and train other PV professionals engaged in site work.
• Experience of supervising work of subcontractors.
• Responsibility for costs of subcontractors.
• Strong interest in renewable energy and environmental issues

Useful:

• Awareness of developments in PV technology and system design.
• MEWPS qualification.
• Working at height training.
• Health and safety qualifications.
• Spanish language.