Solar O&M Engineer

Would you like to be part of Vital Energi's Growth?

If so, we require an Electrical/Solar Engineer with commercial PV experience to strengthen the existing Operations & Maintenance team located within the North West Area. This role will involve covering sites across Manchester, Liverpool, Preston, Blackpool, Lancaster, etc.

As Solar O&M Plant Room Engineer you will be working within Energy Centres / Hospital plant rooms etc. This plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of solar photovoltaic (PV) and electrical generation systems that distribute sustainable energy (such as heating, cooling, and power).

On call rota – 1 in 4 which runs Thursday to Thursday.

• Oversee, operate, and maintain solar PV plant equipment (inverters, DC/AC distribution boards, string combiners, isolation switch gear, monitoring hardware, etc.).
• Perform planned preventive maintenance (PPM) and reactive maintenance to minimize downtime and maximize energy yield.
• Monitor system performance, solar irradiance levels, DC/AC voltages, and overall energy efficiency.
• Diagnose faults in commercial solar PV and plant room electrical systems.
• Carry out corrective repairs or escalate to specialist contractors when required.
• Ensure minimal disruption to building/energy centre operations.
• Use BMS (Building Management Systems) or SCADA/Solar Monitoring portals to monitor plant operation.
• Record and report on system data (generation outputs, performance ratios, energy consumption).
• Ensure all works comply with statutory regulations (18th Edition BS 7671, IET Code of Practice for Grid-connected Solar PV, Electricity at Work Regulations, etc.).
• Carry out risk assessments, method statements, and follow strict health & safety protocols (Permit to Work systems).
• Assist in plant upgrades, solar retrofits, and commissioning of new generation equipment.
• Maintain accurate records of maintenance, electrical testing, inspections, and system performance.
• Complete job sheets, electrical test certificates, and compliance documentation.

• Hold a City & Guilds electrical qualification or equivalent (e.g., NVQ Level 3, 18th Edition Wiring Regulations).
• Experience with commercial solar PV inverters, DC string testing, and safe electrical isolation.
• Full UK manual driving licence.

• Salary negotiable DOE.
• Contributory Company Pension Scheme.
• Company van/Fuel card.
• Non-contributory death-in-service insurance.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• 25 Days Holiday plus 8 days bank holidays.
• Additional holidays awarded in line with length of service.
• Option to purchase/sell additional holidays.
• Onsite gym/wellbeing centre at our Blackburn Head Office.
• Discounted gym membership across the UK.
• EV charging points where possible.

The company is opposed to all forms of discrimination and will select for employment, training and promotion on the basis of suitability for the job and/or merit. It is company policy that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment than another on the grounds of sex, race, colour, age, ethnic or national origins, political affiliations, religious beliefs, marital & civil partnership status, physical disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy & Maternity related or is disadvantaged by unjustifiable conditions or requirements.

Applicants must have the unrestricted and ongoing right to work in the UK for the duration of employment, without the need for sponsorship. Due to the nature of this role, we are unable to support visa sponsorship or employ individuals with time‑limited permission or conditions attached to their right to work in the UK.