At SMA America, we believe in Energy that Changes. Since 1981, SMA has been developing innovative solar technology with a purpose -- making the installation, operation, and maintenance of photovoltaic power plants simpler, more reliable, safer and more cost effective. In the meantime, we’ve also been collecting awards as a great place to work, providing growth opportunities to our employees, and challenging conventional thought.
The Technical Manager is responsible for owning all technical issues related to the advanced troubleshooting team, including central inverters, DC to DC converters, Power to Gas systems, Communication & Control systems across the US install base. This role ensures timely updates to customers regarding the status of ongoing field issues, collaborates with field service engineers, dispatch, service providers and drives root cause analysis and corrective actions in collaboration with SMA-US Quality and HQ Quality and Technical Support.
The Technical Manager will be the go-to expert for troubleshooting, technical support, and resolution of complex equipment issues, ensuring that customer expectations are met, service quality is maintained, and operational excellence is achieved.
Primary duties / responsibilities
Ownership of Advanced Technical Issues:
- Take full responsibility for all central inverters, DC to DC converters, P2G systems, Communication & Control -related issues across the US install base.
- Act as the central point of contact for internal teams, customers, and service providers for escalated technical issues.
Customer Communication and Issue Updates:
- Provide regular status updates to customers on the progress of field issues, ensuring transparency and clear communication on next steps and resolution timelines.
- Manage customer expectations effectively, ensuring all technical challenges are addressed and resolved promptly.
- Joining all relevant escalation calls
Field Support and Troubleshooting:
- Support field service engineers by offering technical guidance and expertise on complex field issues.
- Assist and mentor field service teams to troubleshoot and resolve technical problems, ensuring high-quality service delivery.
- Coordinate with service providers to ensure timely response to field issues and technical support.
- Regularly have scheduled meetings with Field Staff.
Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Actions:
- Collaborate with headquarters (HQ) in Kassel and other engineering teams to establish clear root cause analyses for technical failures or recurrent issues.
- Ensure swift and accurate corrective actions are identified and implemented to prevent future occurrences.
- Drive process improvements and feedback loops to continually improve the service and support provided for central inverters, DC to DC converters, P2G systems, Communication & Control equipment.
- Able to diagnose and provide preliminary RCA responses to customers.
Technical Expertise and Training:
- Stay current on industry trends and developments related to Large Scale/ Industrial Solutions, and other related equipment.
- Develop and deliver internal training materials to upskill the field service engineers and team members on handling issues effectively.
Collaboration with HQ:
- Work closely with the R&D and technical teams at HQ to ensure accurate knowledge transfer and timely problem resolution.
- Ensure all technical issues are well-documented and feedback is shared with the product and engineering teams to improve future product offerings and service solutions.
Required relevant professional experience (type / duration)
Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
5-7 years of experience with electrical systems, with a focus on power generation renewable systems. In-depth knowledge of PV, BESS and P2G, with experience in installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and technical support.
Proven experience in customer communication, especially in high-pressure or complex technical situations.
Experience in managing and supporting field service engineers or technical teams.
Strong ability to work cross-functionally with internal teams (engineering, R&D, customer service) and external stakeholders (customers, third-party service providers).
Demonstrated ability to identify the root cause of technical issues and implement corrective actions efficiently.
Ability to create and maintain technical reports, issue logs, and action plans.
Other specialized skills
Certifications related to electrical standards.
Experience working with third-party equipment suppliers and managing service relationships.
Willingness to travel extensively within the US to support field teams and customer installations.
Occasionally will have to travel to Germany
Familiarity with photovoltaic systems and power inverters is preferred.
Proficiency in the English language, both written and verbal, is required. German and/or Spanish language skills are a plus.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) is required.
Attention to detail and a high level of accuracy are required.
Ability to analyze and solve problems effectively.
Ability to work well independently and as a member of a regional/global team is required.
Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects/tasks.
Ability to work flexible hours as early morning, evening or weekend work may be required.
A valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record are required.
This position may require periodic domestic and international travel.
Additional Information:
- Compensation: $104,000 - $134,000 Annually
- Comprehensive benefits including health/dental/vision with $0 premium options, 401k with match, advanced training and education opportunities, etc.
Our EEO Policy
We are an equal opportunity employer and we make our employment decisions on the basis of merit and without regard to one’s race, color, creed, sex (includes gender, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender identity, religion, marital status, age (over 40), national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability (includes HIV/Aids), medical condition (cancer, genetic characteristics), veteran’s status, sexual orientation, or any other consideration made unlawful by law.
In accordance with applicable law protecting qualified individuals with known disabilities, SMA will attempt to reasonably accommodate qualified applicants with known disabilities, unless doing so would create an undue hardship on SMA. Any qualified applicant with a disability who believes he or she requires an accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of the job for which he or she is applying should identify the accommodation(s) needed in the application.
Our Privacy Policy
During your job application or recruitment process with us: (a) SMA may collect your personal information directly from you, such as when you submit your application and resume on our online portal or when you have job interviews with us. We may also obtain your personal information from third parties, including but not limited to your former employers, background or employment check service providers or third-party recruiters; and, (b) SMA may use or process applicants' personal information for relevant purposes including but not limited to general communications with you, identity verification, background or employment checks, determination of eligibility, and making hiring decisions. For successful job applicants who become SMA’s staff, we may retain and integrate your personal information collected during the recruitment process into your records at SMA. For unsuccessful job applicants, [SMA may retain your application for internal records or for future recruitment purposes].
If you are a California resident, you have specific rights regarding your personal information under the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018, as amended including by the California Privacy Rights Act of 2020, and its implementing regulations (the “CCPA”). This Company Personnel and Covered Individuals Privacy Notice for California Residents issued by SMA is applicable to you and explains your CCPA rights and our collection, use or disclosure of your personal information.
If you have any question regarding our privacy policy, please contact us at [email protected]
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