BESS Operations & Maintenance Technician

As a BESS Operations & Maintenance Technician with minimum experience (±1 year), you will be responsible for maintaining Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) electrical and electronic infrastructure across Solar Africa Energy sites. Your role will involve monitoring battery system performance, troubleshooting BESS faults and outages, completing scheduled maintenance activities, and repairing battery‑related equipment to ensure optimal system availability and performance.

Due to the high‑risk nature of battery and high‑voltage DC/AC systems, you must demonstrate strong safety awareness and strict adherence to Health & Safety procedures. The ideal candidate will have experience working with electrical systems, power electronics, and energy storage equipment. Training will be provided on specific BESS technologies and platforms; therefore, direct battery experience is advantageous but not mandatory.

As a BESS O&M Technician, you will help minimise system downtime, reduce safety risks, and maximise the performance and reliability of Solar Africa Energy’s battery assets.

The O&M BESS Technician will report directly to the Maintenance Technical Manager.

• Monitor BESS assets, track system performance, and produce accurate operational, BESS health state (Energy Throughput) and performance reports.
• Attend to battery system breakdowns, performing fault finding, root cause analysis, and corrective actions with minimal impact on system availability.
• Carry out routine, preventative, and scheduled maintenance on BESS infrastructure, including battery racks, modules, enclosures, cabling, terminations, cooling systems, and auxiliary equipment.
• Perform effective troubleshooting of battery systems, including Battery Management Systems (BMS), Power Conversion Systems (PCS), communication networks, and control equipment.
• Diagnose, test, repair, and replace faulty battery modules, racks, fuses, DC cabling, connectors, BMS components, and associated equipment.

• Install, repair, and replace electrical and electronic apparatus, safety devices, distribution components, and auxiliary systems during BESS upgrades or expansions.
• Diagnose and repair DC and AC systems, including cabling, busbars, protection devices, PCS/inverters, transformers, HV yard equipment, switch gear, and control gear related to BESS installations.
• Interpret electrical drawings, schematics, and technical documentation to support maintenance and fault resolution activities.

• Always ensure strict compliance with Health & Safety requirements, particularly when working with high‑voltage DC systems, energy storage equipment, and in confined or containerised environments.
• Follow applicable electrical standards, site procedures, and legal regulations during all operational and maintenance activities.
• Maintain a high standard of housekeeping and ensure tools, equipment, and work areas are kept safe and compliant.

• Complete and submit maintenance‑related documentation, including fault reports, inspection records, service reports, and performance reports promptly.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records to support asset management and compliance requirements.

• Manage professional working relationships with customers, contractors, and service providers during operational support, maintenance activities, and on‑site interventions.
• Support coordination of on‑site work to minimise downtime and disruption.

• Participate in standby and emergency call‑out duties as required.
• Provide training, guidance, and mentorship to apprentices or junior technicians on BESS systems, safe work practices, and operational procedures.
• Perform any other duties reasonably associated with the role.

• Proven experience as an electrician or electrical technician. Diploma in relevant vocational training or completed an apprenticeship as an electrician.
• Demonstrable ability to use electrical test equipment, hand tools, and diagnostic tools (e.g., multimeter, insulation…