Senior Maintenance Specialist - Renewable Energy
Date: May 30, 2025
Location: ARLINGTON, AZ, US, 85322
Company: APS
Arizona Public Service generates reliable, affordable and clean energy for 2.7 million Arizonans. As the state’s largest and longest-serving energy provider, our more than 6,000 dedicated employees power our vision of creating a sustainable energy future for Arizona.
Our present and future success depends on the creative and dedicated people of our company who demonstrate the principles outlined in the APS Promise: Design for Tomorrow, Empower Each Other and Succeed Together.
Summary
As a Renewable Maintenance Specialist Senior, you'll take ownership of the maintenance and operational reliability of a diverse portfolio of APS-owned solar and battery energy storage systems (BESS) throughout Arizona. This hands-on, field-based role combines technical expertise with autonomy, offering a chance to work directly with some of the most impactful clean energy assets in the region.
From inspecting and troubleshooting to commissioning and repair, you’ll ensure solar and battery systems—ranging from 2kWac rooftop arrays to 35MWac utility-scale installations—are operating at peak performance. You’ll also mentor junior technicians, travel regularly statewide, and contribute to a cleaner energy future for Arizona.
Key Skills & Tasks:
Technical Troubleshooting – Diagnose and resolve issues across solar PV systems and battery energy storage assets to maintain operational uptime.
System Commissioning – Lead or support the commissioning of new solar and BESS installations to ensure proper functionality and compliance with specifications.
Installation & Repairs – Execute field installation, repairs, retrofits, and modifications to optimize system performance and longevity.
Preventative Maintenance – Perform inspections and routine maintenance based on manufacturer, vendor, and internal O&M procedures.
SCADA & DAS Monitoring – Utilize SCADA and Data Acquisition Systems (DAS) to monitor system health and respond to performance anomalies.
Safety & Compliance – Adhere to safety standards and operating procedures while working with high-voltage systems and complex energy infrastructure.
Mentorship & Technical Leadership – Provide guidance and support to less experienced technicians, fostering knowledge sharing and safety-first practices.
Physical Demands & Travel – Must be capable of lifting up to 50 pounds, working in physically demanding environments, and traveling statewide as needed.
People We Want to Talk To
- Skilled technicians with a strong foundation in solar PV systems and BESS, and a love for hands-on field work.
- Detail-oriented individuals who are just as comfortable reading a SCADA screen as they are tightening a torque wrench.
- Mentors and team players who enjoy sharing knowledge and guiding others, while still learning on the job.
- Candidates who can handle the demands of outdoor, on-site maintenance work, including climbing ladders and traveling across Arizona.
- Professionals who value safety, sustainability, and a job well done—and who want their work to make a long-term impact in renewable energy.
- Adaptable troubleshooters who think on their feet and keep a cool head when solving technical challenges in remote or high-demand environments.
Minimum Requirements
Senior Maintenance Specialist - Renewable Energy
- A two-year associate's degree in an applicable technology area such as electric power, electronics, mechanics or hydraulics
- Five (5) years of solar or battery storage maintenance and construction experience.
- In lieu of degree, seven (7) years of solar or battery storage maintenance, construction and/or other job-related experience.
Preferred Skills, Knowledge or Qualifications:
- Knowledge of general electricity and electrical theory.
- Demonstrated experience working with communications equipment (DAS), testing equipment (e.g., various Fluke meters, IV Curve, IR Camera, Megger Testing, Solmetric Eye), construction and technical repair standards required.
- Proficiency in 480VAC, 1000 VDC, electronics, computers, mechanics and or hydraulics with hands-on experience with electrical troubleshooting.
- Ability to work independently or as a lead member of the team.
- Good written and verbal communication skills along with PC skills in a Windows-based environment.
- Demonstrated ability and understanding of electrical/electronic blueprint designs, schematics and redline new construction drawings.
- In-depth working knowledge of the National Electric Code (NEC), Accident Prevention Manual (APM) and Maintenance/Construction standards.
- Able to use PI displays for assessing solar plant operating status.
- Ability to push firmware and software operating systems into inverters.
- Achievement of, or ability to obtain, level 1 and 2 training from inverter manufactures within the first twelve months of employment to ensure ability to troubleshoot/work on inverters.
- Ability to operate all functions of inverters and clear most problems.
- Able to perform all recommended preventative maintenance on all solar equipment on utility/DE plants and utilize Maximo system in accessing data, entering information on work orders.
- Experience using infrared equipment to check for loose connection/ hot spots, working with and analyzing DC electrical system problems.
Major Accountabilities
1) Performs diagnostics to troubleshoot, identify and repair inverter performance issues of the solar and battery storage systems.
2) Connects with communications equipment/computers to troubleshoot communications problems and identify and repair communication issues with DAS or SCADA systems.
3) Troubleshoots/repairs controls and motor drives on tracker equipment.
4) Identifies module performance issues with testing equipment to include removal and replacement of modules and replace solar modules as needed.
5) Performs voltage and current checks on AC/DC systems and performs preventative maintenance on weather station equipment.
6) Provides technical direction to less experienced maintenance specialists.
7) Oversees third party contractors to ensure contractor is complying with APS construction standards and Accident Prevention Manual (APM).
8) Collaborates with and takes professional directional advice from solar-related Engineering team to resolve solar and battery storage technical issues.
Export Compliance / EEO Statement
This position may require access to and/or use of information subject to control under the Department of Energy's Part 810 Regulations (10 CFR Part 810), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730 through 774), or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter M Part 120) (collectively, 'U.S. Export Control Laws'). Therefore, some positions may require applicants to be a U.S. person, which is defined as a U.S. Citizen, a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), a Political Asylee, or a Refugee under the U.S. Export Control Laws. All applicants will be required to confirm their U.S. person or non-US person status. All information collected in this regard will only be used to ensure compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws, and will be used in full compliance with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of national origin and other factors. For positions at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Stations (PVNGS) all openings will require applicants to be a U.S. person.
Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates ('Pinnacle West') maintain a continuing policy of nondiscrimination in employment. It is our policy to provide equal opportunity in all phases of the employment process and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This policy of nondiscrimination shall include, but not be limited to, recruiting, hiring, promoting, compensating, reassigning, demoting, transferring, laying off, recalling, terminating employment, and training for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, disability, age, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other classification or characteristic protected by law.
For more information on applicable equal employment regulations, please refer to EEO is the Law poster. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of every person hired to work in the United States, refer to E-Verify poster. View the employee rights and responsibilities under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
In compliance with the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, the Company is committed to a work environment that is free from the effects of alcohol and controlled substances, and free from the abuse or inappropriate use of prescribed and over-the-counter medications. The Company requires employees to be subject to drug and alcohol testing that is job-related and consistent with business necessity, regulatory requirements and applicable laws.
CIP Requirement:
This position requires Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) access consistent with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) standards. The applicant considered for this role will be required to obtain and maintain CIP access for the duration of employment in this position. A full seven (7) year criminal history will be obtained through the pre-employment background check process (or, for current employees, through supplemental background check process) to fulfill the CIP access requirements. In addition, this position requires an additional background check every seven years to maintain access.
Onsite: Requires work to be performed in the field and/or at an APS facility. Depending on the responsibilities of the role, this may include, but is not limited to, working at a power plant, job site, or in the community.
*Employees are expected to reside in Arizona (or New Mexico for Four Corners-based employees).
*Role types are subject to change based on business need
Nearest Major Market: Phoenix
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