Solar Performance Engineer – Asset Operations & Maintenance
Denver, CO - USA
Department:
Job Summary
ROLE OVERVIEW
The Performance Engineer will ensure that current and future performance of the assets is in line with project proformas. We are seeking a data-driven engineer to bridge the gap between raw SCADA data and actionable field this role you will not just report on underperformance; you will diagnose it and support action plans with asset managers to improve performance. You will leverage your background in electrical engineering and data science to identify systemic issues optimize energy yield and provide recommendations to asset modeling and DAS system interface as well as field service work.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Performance Monitoring & Diagnostics: Monitor real-time and historical plant data to identify underperformance related to system alerts equipment efficiency AC and DC health including but not limited to inverter efficiency tracker misalignment or string-level anomalies.
System Optimization: Identify inefficiencies and develop strategies to improve energy yield and system availability.
Troubleshooting: Diagnose and resolve technical issues affecting system performance grid stability and control systems. Root Cause Analysis (RCA): Lead technical investigations into equipment failures and outage events. Move beyond what happened to why by correlating meteorological data with electrical output.
Data Automation: Develop and maintain Python/R scripts or SQL queries to automate the ingestion and cleaning of DAS/SCADA data replacing manual spreadsheet workflows.
Advanced Modeling: Use PVsyst and DAS modeling logic to compare actual vs. expected energy production adjusting for degradation and weather variance and system loss identification.
Action Liaison: Translate complex data findings into Action Reports. You will tell the asset managers and field technicians which specific components to test reducing truck roll costs and mean time to repair (MTTR).
Contractual Compliance: Calculate and track Guarantee Availability and Performance Ratio (PR) to ensure O&M providers are meeting PPA obligations.
Additional responsibilities as required.
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
Experience 3 years in the solar industry specifically within O&M Performance Engineering or Asset Management.
Solar Expertise: Understanding of DC/AC ratios clipping losses inverter operating curves and the impact of soiling/shading.
Education: B.S. in Electrical Engineering Renewable Energy or a related quantitative field.
Technical Skills: * Proficiency in Python (Pandas NumPy Scikit-learn) or R for data analysis.
Strong SQL skills for querying large historical datasets.
Hands-on experience with PVsyst and meteorological data (MET) stations.
Strong organizational skills with ability to track & execute large volumes of on-going compliance obligations
PREFERRED COMPETENCIES
The So What Factor: The ability to present technical findings to non-technical Asset Managers and VPs in a way that emphasizes financial impact.
Field Empathy: You understand that a sensor might be lying due to a comms issue rather than a hardware failure.
Mechanical engineering experience
Battery Energy Storage performance monitoring and analysis
Understanding of Community Solar
NABCEP certification
OSHA 30
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The estimated base salary range for this position is $90000-$120000 depending on relevant experience along with eligibility for the companys substantial bonus plan with a target bonus of 30% of annual salary (prorated in first year based on start date).
Pivot Energy is dedicated to providing a great work experience for all employees placing an emphasis on company culture and a focus on our people. To that end Pivot offers an outstanding benefits package that includes:
- Excellent health/dental/vision insurance benefits with up to 100% of premiums covered by the company
- Four weeks of vacation (prorated in first year)
- Company paid life insurance and short- & long-term disability coverage
- Generous parental leave
- 401(k) matching
- Home Office set-up stipend for new employees
- Public transit reimbursement
- PTO for volunteering in the community
- Charitable donation matching up to $500/year
- Professional development and educational reimbursements
A complete list of all the benefits Pivot offers may be provided upon request.
Required Experience:
IC