Lead Field Service Technician III – Solar

WORK ARRANGEMENT: ON-SITE, FIELD-BASED. THIS IS NOT A REMOTE OR WORK-FROM-HOME JOB.

This role is performed in person, outdoors, on solar sites in and around St. Cloud, Minnesota. You’ll drive from your home to job sites rather than reporting to an office — but you must live in the St. Cloud region, or relocate there before your start date.

You may see this listed as "field-based." That means you drive from your home to job sites rather than reporting to an office each morning. It does not mean you can work from another city or state. Applications from candidates who are not located in — or actively relocating to — the St. Cloud area cannot be considered for this posting.

Territory: [30–90 minutes typical, rarely over 3 hours]. Overnight travel: [under 10%]. Schedule: [M–F, 7am–3pm or 8am–4pm]. On-call: [rotational Saturday 8am–12pm]. Overtime: [paid biweekly; 40–45 hours typical; 1.5x over 40].

MASTER ELECTRICIANS: NO PRIOR SOLAR EXPERIENCE REQUIRED. WE WILL TRAIN YOU.

Energy Support Services keeps solar and energy storage systems safe, reliable, and producing clean power. As a Lead Field Service Technician III- Solar, you’ll be the technical authority in the field — leading complex inspections, troubleshooting, and repairs, owning your sites, shaping how the work gets done, and mentoring the technicians coming up behind you. There’s a defined pathway to Technician IV.

The license and the electrical judgment are what we can’t teach quickly. Photovoltaics we can. If you hold an active Minnesota Master Electrician license, we will consider you fully with zero solar background.

Relocation note : We offer a $3,000 sign-on bonus and relocation assistance to qualified candidates. If you’re a licensed Master Electrician somewhere else in the country and you’ve been curious about renewable energy, this is the posting to look at.

COMING FROM ANOTHER SIDE OF THE ELECTRICAL TRADE?

This role requires a Master Electrician license because Minnesota law requires it for the electrical work involved. It does not require a solar background. Master Electricians join us from:

• Commercial and industrial electrical contracting — service work, troubleshooting, code compliance, and permitting. Nearly everything transfers; you’ll learn PV-specific equipment and DC systems.
• Utility, generation, or substation work — medium-voltage practice, switching, and grounding discipline map directly onto solar plant work.
• Facilities, manufacturing, or plant electrical leadership — PM programs, LOTO systems, and crew oversight are the same skills we need here.
• Marine, military, or shipyard electrical — strong safety culture and independent judgment in the field, which is what this job runs on.

What you’ll learn on our dime

• PV system architecture — modules, strings, combiner boxes, inverters, and grid-tie behavior.
• Solar-specific diagnostics: I/V curve tracing, insulation resistance testing, and infrared thermography.
• FAA Part 107 drone certification for aerial thermal inspection.
• OSHA 30, NFPA 70E/70B, and our internal O&M Tech course series.

PAY

$92,000-115,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications, plus a $3,000 sign-on bonus and relocation assistance for qualified candidates.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Tools and equipment: provided. Company truck, company fuel/credit card, and vehicle maintenance card. You will never spend your own money on tools here — no tool truck payment, no tool debt.
• Bonus: Up to an 8% performance bonus, paid annually.
• Apparel: Company-provided PPE and flame-resistant clothing kit (bibs, jackets, pants, shirts) at no cost to you.
• Health: Medical, dental, and vision. We pay 80% of your health insurance premiums.
• Retirement: 401(k) with up to a 7.5% company match.
• Time off: PTO accrued each pay period — 120 hours/year (years 0–2), 160 hours (years 3–9), 200 hours (10+ years) — plus 11 paid holidays.
• Family: 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Insurance: Company-paid Life and AD&D insurance at 1x your annual salary.
• Certifications — we pay, you keep them: OSHA 10/30, NFPA 70E/70B, FAA Part 107 (drone), and our internal O&M Tech course series. These certifications stay with you for the rest of your career.
• Advancement: A published Field Tech Development Pathway with defined progression to Technician IV. You move up on demonstrated capability, not on how long you’ve been here.
• Education: Tuition reimbursement up to $10,000 per year for approved programs.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Safety

• Ensure all work is performed in accordance with safety policies and procedures.
• Verify the correct PPE is available and being used properly.
• Create Personal Lockout/Tagout (PLOTO) and switching lockout plans for approval.
• Act as work leader for Pre-Job Briefs, Job Safety Analysis, personal LOTO, and switch-plan LOTO.

Inspections and preventative maintenance

• Lead comprehensive inspections of solar power plants.
• Develop and implement preventative maintenance programs for your sites.
• Supervise and train junior technicians on inspection and maintenance procedures.

Troubleshooting

• Diagnose and resolve complex system issues, including grid integration and communications faults.
• Use advanced diagnostic tools and software to address system performance problems.
• Develop and implement corrective action plans.

Documentation

• Create and maintain comprehensive documentation of inspections, maintenance, and repairs.
• Prepare technical reports and presentations for management.
• Provide oversight and direction on work order documentation to junior technicians.

Leadership and knowledge

• Stay current on industry trends and emerging technology.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior technicians.
• Contribute to the development of training materials and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

WHAT YOU NEED

Required

• Active Minnesota Master Electrician license — or an active Master Electrician license in another state that you can convert to a Minnesota license before your start date. We’ll help you navigate the process.
• The licensed electrical experience your Master license reflects, plus a demonstrated ability to lead work in the field.
• Proficient knowledge of electrical systems and the ability to read and interpret complex electrical schematics and engineering drawings.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor technicians in the field.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.

Helpful, but not required — we train and certify you

• Solar industry or grid-tied PV experience. Master Electricians are considered fully without it.
• Associate’s degree in electrical engineering or a related field.
• OSHA 30 and NFPA 70E certifications — we pay for these.
• FAA Part 107 certification — we pay for this too.
• Experience with I/V curve tracers, megohmmeters, and insulation testers, or comparable instruments from other electrical work.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Drive a vehicle confidently and with a high degree of safety.
• Stand for long periods and walk distances up to three miles per day.
• Navigate ladders, stairs, scaffolding, and ramps while maintaining three points of contact.
• Have visual acuity for depth perception, no field-of-vision issues, and the ability to distinguish between colors.
• Work comfortably in a range of climate conditions, including extreme heat (above 100°F) or extreme cold (below 32°F), for periods of more than one hour.
• Exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 30 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time. 

The expected annual compensation range for this position is $92,000 - $115,000, encompassing base pay and potential incentive target opportunity. This range is a good faith estimate based on the position's requirements. Specific compensation offered to the selected candidate may vary depending on factors such as relevant knowledge, skills, training, experience, and market conditions. Additionally, this position may qualify for a comprehensive benefits package, including Retirement Benefits, Medical, Dental & Vision, Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Account, Life Insurance and Disability, Tuition Reimbursement, Voluntary Benefits, Paid Absences, and more.

About Us:

At New Energy Equity, a proud subsidiary of ALLETE, we’re leading the charge in transforming the energy landscape with innovative solar solutions 🌞. As a top player in the renewable energy sector, we’ve successfully developed over 600MW of solar projects and closed more than $1.2 billion in clean energy investments 💼. Our projects deliver sustainable electricity to a wide range of clients, including commercial, industrial, municipal, and utility customers 🌍. But there’s more to us than just impressive numbers. We pride ourselves on a dynamic and engaging work environment where teamwork, continuous learning, and environmental stewardship are at the core of what we do 🌿. Our inclusive and collaborative culture encourages creativity and innovation, making our office a place where every idea is valued, and growth is a priority 💡. At New Energy Equity, you’ll join a passionate team that not only drives the clean energy future but also enjoys celebrating our successes together 🎉. With over 250 projects across the U.S. 🌎, our supportive atmosphere ensures a balanced work-life dynamic ⚖️ and a fun, fulfilling career path 🌟. Join us and be part of a forward-thinking company where your contributions are celebrated, and your professional development is supported as we work towards a brighter, sustainable future 🌍.

The statements above outline the essential functions, nature, and level of work expected as of the document’s preparation date. They are not exhaustive lists of all duties and responsibilities. New Energy Equity reserves the right to modify this job description at any time, without notice.

New Energy Equity is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law.

If you are an individual with disabilities who needs accommodation or you are having difficulty using our website to apply for employment, contact our HR department at [email protected]