Solar Operations & Maintenance Manager

Job Title: Solar Operations & Maintenance Manager

Reports To: Solar Regional Manager

Direct Reports: Yes

Functional Unit: Asset Management & Operations

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Type: Full-Time

Location: Bakersfield California

THE COMPANY

Onward Energy is an independent power platform that owns and operates over 7 GW of utility-scale wind solar and natural gas generation projects across the U.S. Our Vision is to reliably power a sustainable future. Our Mission is that as North Americas premier independent power generator we will deliver renewable and reliable power to our customers opportunities to our employees sustainable returns to the families who invest in us and a better world to the next generation. Corporate offices are in Denver New York and Charlotte and we are where renewable meets reliable. See for more information.

THE CHALLENGE

This position reports to the Solar Regional Manager. The Solar O&M Manager provides leadership and oversight for assigned PV plant sites with responsibility for safe reliable compliant and cost-effective operations. This role owns overall site performance budget execution workforce development contractor strategy reliability improvement compliance execution process development and coordination with cross-functional support teams. The Solar O&M Manager ensures that plant objectives are achieved through effective leadership of supervisors and site personnel strong operational discipline and continuous improvement of safety reliability availability and cost performance.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure the highest level of health safety and environmental performance through strict adherence to company policies procedures and operational standards.
• Provide leadership direction and oversight for assigned solar facilities to ensure safe reliable and cost-effective operations.
• Lead and develop Solar O&M Supervisors and site personnel through coaching mentoring training and performance management.
• Establish performance expectations and drive accountability for safety plant performance compliance employee development and operational excellence.
• Foster a culture of safety ownership teamwork continuous improvement and employee engagement.
• Ensure compliance with all company policies environmental requirements NERC requirements and applicable regulatory obligations.
• Own overall operational performance for assigned facilities including availability reliability generation performance safety metrics maintenance execution and budget performance.
• Develop annual operating budgets and manage site expenditures within approved financial plans.
• Monitor spending trends forecast operating expenses and identify opportunities for cost optimization while maintaining reliability and safety expectations.
• Establish facility goals key performance indicators (KPIs) and operational objectives aligned with company targets.
• Lead reliability improvement initiatives through equipment performance monitoring root cause analysis corrective action programs and predictive maintenance strategies.
• Partner with Asset Management Engineering Supply Chain Compliance and the Remote Operations Center (ROC) to improve plant performance and operational efficiency.
• Ensure maintenance programs are implemented in accordance with PV industry best practices manufacturer recommendations and company standards.
• Provide oversight of CMMS processes to ensure work order quality data accuracy maintenance compliance and asset history integrity.
• Lead annual maintenance planning outage planning major maintenance campaigns and long-term asset preservation strategies.
• Develop contractor performance expectations and oversee strategic vendor relationships to ensure safe cost-effective and high-quality service delivery.
• Review and approve scopes of work contractor performance metrics and major maintenance activities.
• Ensure contractor and third-party services are properly managed in accordance with company procurement safety and operational requirements.
• Ensure compliance with contractual obligations including PPAs LGIAs service agreements warranties landowner agreements and other operational commitments.
• Identify operational risks and develop mitigation strategies to improve safety reliability and long-term asset performance.
• Support fleet-wide standardization initiatives and implementation of operational best practices across assigned facilities.
• Lead staffing workforce planning succession planning and organizational development efforts for assigned regions.
• Provide operational updates performance reporting and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
• Support audits compliance reviews due diligence activities and regulatory inspections.
• Represent Operations in cross-functional initiatives capital projects and strategic business discussions.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

THE PROFILE TO SUCCEED

• Associate or bachelors degree in Engineering Physics Power Generation or related field preferred. Applicable years of experience may substitute for degree.
• Seven (7) years of work experience in operations and/or maintenance in power generation transmission and/or distribution including at least two (2) years in the solar industry and at least two (2) years in a lead or supervisory position.
• Ability to plan organize schedule and direct safe operation and maintenance activities across multiple complex projects or sites.
• Demonstrated understanding of power plant operations EH&S compliance budgeting personnel management maintenance execution and performance management.
• Strong written verbal and presentation skills with the ability to promote business initiatives and influence cross-functional stakeholders.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office Suite programs and enterprise work management systems.
• Advanced technical knowledge of PV inverters tracking systems DC systems medium voltage equipment communication systems and plant controls preferred.
• Ability to anticipate and adapt to changes in the organization and operating environment.
• Self-starter with ability to make decisions and take necessary actions without specific direction.
• Effective time management organizational skills multi-tasking capability and attention to detail.
• Ability to work well independently and as part of a cross-functional team.
• Valid U.S. driver license with acceptable MVR history.

THE PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to accomplish physical requirements with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Hazardous conditions include working in confined spaces exposure to bloodborne pathogens exposure to energized electrical equipment and working in extreme hot and cold conditions.
• The work may require providing first aid/CPR and maintaining First Aid/CPR/AED certification.
• The work may require irregular hours depending on site operations and the unpredictable needs of the solar plant.
• Ability to travel up to 10% or as business needs require.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment including but not limited to steel/composite-toed shoes gloves safety glasses hearing protection protective jacket or apron and arm guards.
• Will sit stand or walk short distances for up to the entire duration of a shift.
• Will lift push or pull up to 50 pounds on an occasional basis.
• Must be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures.

THE TEAM

The Onward Energy team is comprised of industry professionals who embrace our values of accountability adaptability collaboration and excellence. At Onward Energy we seek to find solutions rather than assign blame.

THE WORK ENVIRONMENT

Performing this job without full and focused attention may cause serious injury or fatality. Work is generally performed outside at project sites and may include weather conditions ranging from warm/hot to cool/cold occasional rain and moderate to high noise levels. Job sites may contain light to heavy equipment vehicles materials communication equipment tools personnel walking and working alarms bells whistles and other active industrial conditions. The role also routinely uses standard office equipment such as a laptop computer phone scanner and printer.

THE TOTAL REWARDS

Onward Energys total rewards philosophy is motivated by a key tenet of People First and offers associates a comprehensive total rewards package including market competitive compensation health life insurance and retirement savings benefits.

If you require an accommodation for any part of the employment process please contact

EEO STATEMENT

Onward Energy is an Affirmative Action Employer Females/Minority/Veterans/Disabled/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.