Team Lead, Field Operations (Solar & BESS) - Bellefield Solar + Storage Project

AES•Palmdale, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The AES Corporation (NYSE: AES) is a Fortune 500 company and a leader in the global energy revolution, committed to shaping a future through innovation and collaboration. Recognized as one of the Top Ten Best Workplaces for Innovators by Fast Company in 2022 and certified as a Great Place to Work, AES is dedicated to its people and groundbreaking ideas. AES is the #1 globally in renewable energy sales to corporations, with $12.7B in revenues in 2023, providing electricity to 25 million customers worldwide and committed to meeting the Paris Agreement's goals by 2050. AES Clean Energy is accelerating the future of energy by transforming customer experience and delivering unique products and solutions. Field Services Team Leaders support expanding local teams and growing the portfolio of photovoltaic (PV) solar and solar+ Battery storage facilities, connecting the region to the broader Field Services network. This role requires a self-starter, entrepreneurial thinker, driven by excellence, a team player, and accountable.

Requirements

Proven ability to lead a team and achieve goals.
Knowledgeable in the systems, processes and protocols guiding the operations and maintenance of industrial PV solar plants and electrical systems (OSHA standards, NFPA 70e, Lockout/ Tagout/ Grounding, etc.).
Operation of SEL relays, Pad Mounted Switch Gear, Re-Closers, and Fluence Smart Grid Racking System.
Appropriate Electrical trade qualification with at least 5-years working on utility scale electrical systems.
Experience working with C&I or utility scale PV systems required.
Competence with relevant computer systems including but not limited to CMMS, DAS/SCADA, equipment-specific maintenance programs, and Microsoft Office programs.
Ability to work remotely and use technology to stay connected to the local team, as well as colleagues at administrative offices.
Ability to lead a team and achieve goals with minimum direct supervision and high degree of self-motivation and reliance.
High degree of commitment to a quality safety culture and an incident-free work environment.
Ability to read and interpret equipment/facility schematics, maintenance instructions, procedures/manuals, process/procedure documents.
Personal values consistent with those of the AES: Safety First, Highest Standards, and All Together.
Ability to excel in a collaborative, cross-functional and geographically diverse organization.
Excellent English written and verbal communication skills.
Positive, professional, and collaborative work ethic.
Detail oriented, high-energy, adept at problem solving and time management in sometimes high stress situations, highly organized.
Must maintain a valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

3 years or more supervisory experience is a plus.
Battery Energy Storage systems a plus.
Experience with the following utility solar inverter: Power Electronics HEC, Power Electronics HEC 1500V, AE 1000NX, AE 500NX, SMA 750CP, TMEIC, Schneider CS 1670, Sungrow, and Power 0ne Trio string inverter.
PV Array Tracker systems: ATI (V2, V2.5, V3).
NFPA 70E and OSHA 30 Certification strongly preferred.
College degree in a related field a plus.
As necessary, travel regionally in a company provided service vehicle and use regional air travel to support company’s solar and storage assets.

Responsibilities

Lead and support the team of technicians in their assigned location/region in performing preventive & corrective maintenance and supporting ongoing construction activities.
Plan, coordinate and manage the safe, efficient, and reliable delivery of field services to AES Clean Energy facilities and assist the Regional Field Services Manager in planning to meet regional maintenance obligations.
Work closely with the Regional Manager, Engineering team, and others to remediate site issues and enhance the operating portfolio’s performance.
Coordinate and manage contractors engaged to support maintenance activities and ensuring AES Safety procedures are followed.
Lead solar PV site, BESS, and substation operations and maintenance efforts, including advanced troubleshooting, in accordance with applicable safety and environmental obligations.
Responsible for the Preventive and Corrective O&M activities assigned to the team.
Stop unsafe work, report and correct unsafe conditions or hazards – review and submit applicable accident / incident report.
Work with and support Regional Safety Committee.
Working with the Regional O&M Manager, provide performance and developmental leadership and feedback to the members of the region’s team (typically 4-10 technicians).
Find opportunities for continuous improvement of O&M activities to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable delivery of field services.
Support, or lead as necessary, warranty claims processes with EPC providers and equipment vendors.
Ensure standard maintenance for vehicles and equipment and assist in addressing repair needs, coordinate usage of shared equipment.
Schedule and implement site training and qualification efforts.
Assist in third-party contractor and vendor identification and onboarding– develop work scopes and manage and schedule contractors as needed.
Establish and maintain an annual on-call schedule and communicate that schedule as needed to internal and external parties; respond to “after-hours” emergency situations as necessary.
Ensure timely, complete, and high-quality documentation related to O&M activities, including but not limited to service tickets, maintenance reports, switching orders, and safety-related documentation (such as JHAs/JSAs, Safe Work Permits, LOTO, Energized Electrical Work Permits, Excavation Permits, etc.).
Assist in team adoption of computerized maintenance management system (CMMS).
Work with Engineering to review investigation results and/or recommendations from OEMs and institute plant solutions/modifications, document through change management system.
Ensure accurate tracking of inventory levels – initiate re-order of consumables and spare parts as needed.
As needed, participate in the construction/commissioning of the facilities within the region to ensure a high-quality build, successful commissioning, timely project punch list closeout, and smooth transition of responsibility to the Operations team.
Ensure compliance with all applicable safety and environmental requirements, regional and federal regulations, and company policies.
Stay abreast of applicable technical & safety standards and share with team.
Facilitate effective communication for all activities using phone, email, and other business software such as our Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
Perform/lead other duties and administrative tasks as assigned by Region Manager.