HVAC OandM Technician I

About the role

Terra-Gen is seeking a highly skilled and specialized BESS HVAC Technician to serve as the technical authority for the critical cooling infrastructure supporting our Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to standards above the industry's best practices. This role is responsible for maintaining high-precision thermal management systems (liquid cooling and forced air systems), that function as the life support for our utility-scale battery storage assets, ensuring maximum uptime, reliability, and performance. This position focuses on precision thermal management systems required to maintain strict temperature control in mission critical, large-scale battery facilities. The BESS HVAC Technician performs but is not limited to both scheduled and unscheduled fieldwork, including installation, advanced troubleshooting, testing, commissioning support, preventive maintenance, and corrective maintenance of complex mechanical, refrigeration, and controls systems. This role requires advanced diagnostic capability, strong leadership presence, and the ability to manage and optimize sophisticated cooling infrastructure in high-reliability environments. The technician may also be responsible for overseeing and observing the quality and safety practices of contractors performing HVAC corrective maintenance, retrofits and commissioning type work. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who reports to and takes direction from the Maintenance Supervisor while demonstrating technical leadership in the field. This full-time position is based near Mojave, CA, and may include rotating schedules, overtime, nights, weekends, holidays, and participation in an on-call rotation. Some travel will be required for this position. This role offers significant opportunities for professional growth within Terra-Gen.

Essential duties and responsibilities

The candidate may perform work independently and/or in a team environment, depending upon skills, experience and job task. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, safe and efficient troubleshooting, testing, repair, and maintenance of HVAC systems supporting Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). The technician will apply established safety protocols and industry best practices while diagnosing and servicing air conditioning, heating, refrigeration, and associated electrical and controls components. Testing and diagnostic activities include, but are not limited to, open circuit voltage, operating DC current, and resistance measurements; refrigerant pressure and superheat/subcooling verification; leak detection; airflow measurement and static pressure testing; compressor performance analysis; control system signal verification; sensor calibration; and functional performance testing to ensure systems operate within required thermal parameters.

• Lead Maintenance Execution: Direct, guide and train others while accomplishing all scheduled and unscheduled maintenance activities on BESS HVAC and thermal management systems to ensure maximum uptime and reliability while maintaining all warranties.
• Advanced Diagnostics and Repair: Perform complex troubleshooting and repair of refrigeration, electrical, mechanical, and control systems, including industrial HVAC units, chillers, liquid-to-air heat exchangers, and associated components.
• Thermal and Electrical Testing: Conduct diagnostic testing including open circuit voltage, operating DC current, resistance testing, refrigerant pressure analysis, superheat/subcool verification, airflow measurement, static pressure testing, thermography of low and medium voltage equipment, and control system signal validation.
• Coolant System Management: Monitor, flush, refill, and maintain dielectric fluid and glycol-based cooling loops; inspect high-density piping and fittings for integrity and leak prevention.
• System Commissioning and Performance Validation: Commission new systems, validate operational performance, and ensure compliance with design specifications and thermal operating parameters.
• Controls and System Integration: Interface with PLC and SCADA systems to monitor system performance, adjust setpoints, calibrate sensors, and optimize thermal efficiency.
• Emergency Response and Alarm Management: Respond immediately to high-temperature and system alarms to mitigate risk of battery degradation, system failure, or fire hazards.
• Safety Leadership and Compliance: Maintain strict adherence to high-voltage safety standards (including NFPA 70E), complete safe work permits and Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), exercise stop-work authority when required, and promote continuous improvement of environmental, health, and safety practices.
• Contractor Oversight and OEM Coordination: Audit third-party work for safety and quality; coordinate and observe contracted technicians performing troubleshooting and repairs on OEM and medium-voltage equipment; serve as primary technical liaison for OEMs and engineering teams.
• Preventive Maintenance Development: Develop, refine, and implement preventive and predictive maintenance procedures to enhance system reliability and lifecycle performance.
• Root Cause Analysis: Support and lead root cause investigations for system failures and recurring performance issues.
• Documentation and Reporting: Accurately document time, materials, expenses, and maintenance activities in the CMMS; prepare detailed reports for site management outlining findings, corrective actions, and performance trends. Assist with developing and/or refining procedures.
• Professional Leadership and Team Collaboration: Mentor junior technicians, model professional conduct, communicate effectively with cross-functional teams, and contribute positively to a collaborative and diverse work environment.
• Training and Qualification: Complete required training and qualification milestones within established timeframes and demonstrate progressive technical competency in field operations.
• Cyber Security: Understand and apply cybersecurity policies and procedures as required.
• Hazard Recognition: Recognize and identify hazards including lift hazards (crane, rough terrain forklift, etc.).
• Operational Flexibility: Participate in on-call rotation, rotating schedules, and travel to alternate worksites as assigned, to perform essential duties and to provide operational coverage.
• Travel: Travel to alternate worksites as assigned, to perform essential duties and to provide operational coverage.
• Additional Duties: Perform other qualified responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

• HVAC Excellence: 4+ years in industrial HVAC or commercial refrigeration. Experience with Chillers and Closed-Loop Cooling is highly preferred.
• Certifications: Valid EPA 608 Universal Certification.
• Electrical Proficiency: Ability to troubleshoot low-voltage control circuits and high-voltage systems.

Pay

$36.50 - $43.00 Hourly