Performance Engineer

Job Summary

Headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia, Sun Tribe is one of the fastest growing clean energy companies in the Mid-Atlantic United States. Thanks to an experienced, in-house team of engineers, analysts, technicians and electricians, Sun Tribe O&M is able to provide best-in-class technical asset management and operations & maintenance ("O&M") services for our client-partners across a growing portfolio of over 100 operational sites throughout the region.

As the Performance Engineer, you will be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the condition of PV solar generating assets in our operating portfolio and recommending strategies to improve system availability and performance. This position requires a variety of skills including PV system monitoring, remote troubleshooting, data analysis and reporting. 

The Performance Engineer reports directly to the President. This is a hybrid position and is expected to require 20% office work and 80% remote work. 

Responsibilities

• Performs continuous monitoring of operational sites utilizing site specific Data Acquisition Systems (“DAS”) and associated software platforms.
• Reviews alerts from DAS platforms and diagnose acute performance or communication issues.
• Reads relay event files and coordinate, support, and restore operations following relevant outages.
• Creates tickets in web-based Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) to notify asset owners and Operations & Maintenance (“O&M”) team of events and issues.
• Collaborates with O&M team to provide recommendations for corrective actions.
• Engages with support representatives from Original Equipment Manufacturers (“OEM’s”) to diagnose equipment malfunctions, conduct remote troubleshooting, and submit warranty claims.
• Provides remote support for on-site O&M Technicians and Electricians.
• Configures DAS platforms including through the direction of subcontractors / vendors to provide valid, usable, real-time production data and alerts.
• Acts as Subject Matter Expert for all DAS platforms; train other team members to support remote monitoring objectives. 
• Implements cybersecurity protocols in accordance with Prudent Industry Practice.

• Generates monthly, quarterly, and/or annual site-specific performance reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Generates performance analysis and reports to support contract guarantees as applicable.
• Generates monthly PPA invoices on behalf of select asset owners using monthly production data.
• Identifies performance trends and deviations; make recommendations to improve plant performance and communicates lessons learned to impact future designs.
• Supports weekly meetings with external asset owners to review system performance.
• Provides remote support for on-site O&M technicians performing troubleshooting or corrective maintenance.

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Data Science, Physics or related field is required.
• A minimum (1) year experience in PV system monitoring and/or troubleshooting, installation and maintenance, or related experience required.

• Experience with Application Programming Interfaces (“API”)
• Ability to understand and apply electrical concepts as they relate to PV solar generating assets
• Strong data and analytics skills
• Ability to work well with others in a fast-paced environment
• Honest, reliable, and detail-oriented
• Strong interpersonal communication skills, both verbal and written
• Strong planning, organization, and prioritization skills
• Demonstration of company core values; Community, Safety, Perpetual Improvement, Nature, Joy, and Respect

• Some evening and weekend work is required
• Some periods of being on-call to address outages, emergencies, bad weather, and other issues affecting operating assets
• Requires approximately 20% office work and 80% remote work

Review of Applications will continue until the position is filled.

If you don't check every box, don't let that stop you. We prioritize talent, passion, and drive over what looks good on paper. If you're on the fence, we encourage you to hit the apply button and highlight what draws you to Sun Tribe.

Sun Tribe provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, and family medical or genetic information.

Sun Tribe complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the Sun Tribe has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Read more about our company values and what it’s like to work at Sun Tribe.

Sun Tribe O&M is a drug-free workplace, pre-employment drug screening is required.