Technical Site Manager
Technical Site Manager – Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
The Site Manager is responsible for the safe, compliant, and reliable operation of a portfolio of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) across the UK. The role has ownership of technical and project management activities for a designated BESS manufacturer, with full training provided.
This position combines hands-on site leadership, technical coordination, and contractor management to maximise asset availability, optimise performance, and protect long-term value. The Technical Manager will also support the wider Technical Asset Management team as required.
Acting as the primary technical authority on site, the role owns day-to-day operational delivery, drives continuous improvement, and ensures all activities meet the highest standards of health, safety, quality, and customer satisfaction.
Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities
Safety & Compliance
Champion a strong safety culture and ensure full compliance with UK HSE legislation, company policies, and OEM requirements.
Ensure all safety observations, incidents, and near misses are accurately recorded in EHS / incident management systems and closed out effectively.
Enforce approved troubleshooting processes, method statements, risk assessments, and service procedures for all site activities.
Manage contractors in accordance with safe systems of work, permit-to-work processes, and standard work instructions.
Support audits, inspections, and regulatory visits, implementing corrective actions where required.
Service Management
Own the execution of Long-Term Service Agreements (LTSAs) across a portfolio of BESS assets, ensuring delivery against contractual KPIs including availability, response times, quality, and cost.
Perform and/or supervise warranty and contracted services onsite, ensuring work is delivered safely, on time, and to high technical standards.
Plan and oversee preventative maintenance activities in alignment with OEM requirements and asset strategies.
Lead onsite response to complex technical issues involving BMS, SCADA/DAS, HVAC, and auxiliary systems.
Support the development and implementation of spares strategies to minimise downtime.
Customer & Stakeholder Management
Act as the primary onsite point of contact for customers, landowners, and key stakeholders, representing the organisation professionally at all times.
Advocate customer interests internally, ensuring issues are prioritised and resolved effectively.
Track, document, and manage customer issues from initial occurrence through to resolution, maintaining clear communication throughout.
Ensure OEM processes are followed when performing reactive or preventative maintenance activities.
Track and report site availability, including planned and unplanned outages, deratings, and excused/unexcused events.
Technical Coordination
Proactively investigate technical issues using SCADA/DAS, equipment logs, event records, and performance data to identify root causes and recurring trends.
Interface with internal specialist teams (e.g. Software, SDC, RMDC, Supply Chain) to coordinate technical support, configuration changes, and system upgrades.
Escalate delays, recurring faults, and high-impact issues to Senior Service Engineers or Engineering Management in a timely and structured manner.
Schedule and coordinate approved contractors for corrective and preventative works, ensuring clear scope definition, documentation, and handover.
Project & Work Management
Develop and implement site-level project plans for maintenance campaigns, upgrades, retrofits, and corrective works.
Coordinate daily activities, ensuring appropriate resources, access arrangements, permits, and tools are in place.
Review and verify contractor invoices and timesheets, ensuring alignment with agreed scope and rates prior to approval.
Contribute to budgeting and forecasting for operational expenditure (O&M) and capital interventions across the BESS portfolio.
Continuous Improvement
Promote a continuous improvement mindset across all site activities.
Identify opportunities to enhance procedures, documentation, tools, and safety practices; propose and implement improvements where appropriate.
Capture lessons learned from incidents, outages, and projects, feeding insights back into standard work, training, and design improvements.
Support the development of standardised KPIs and dashboards for performance, availability, and maintenance effectiveness.
Skills & Experience
Essential
Degree in Electrical or Electronic Engineering (or related discipline), or equivalent technical qualification with 5+ years’ experience in the power or energy sector.
Strong technical knowledge of MBMUs, BMS, HV/LV systems, protection, PCS/inverters, and control systems—ideally within BESS, solar, or grid-scale assets.
Proven experience in site-based operations, field service, or asset management roles, including contractor supervision.
Ability to prioritise tasks, manage multiple workstreams, and make sound risk-based decisions under time pressure.
Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, including customer-facing experience.
Comfortable working with SCADA/DAS, equipment logs, and performance data for diagnostics and decision-making.
Solid understanding of health & safety legislation, permit-to-work systems, and safe systems of work (e.g. HV switching, lock-out/tag-out).
Desirable
Experience operating or maintaining grid-scale BESS or large solar/wind assets.
Experience working with OEMs and LTSAs, including warranty and performance management.
Familiarity with remote monitoring platforms (e.g. Power Factors, GPM, or similar).
Project management experience including planning, scheduling, and financial control.
Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, or support technicians and site teams.
Certifications (Required / Preferred)
IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent (NEBOSH preferred).
First Aid at Work and/or Electrical Safety training.
Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to remote sites nationwide.
Personal Attributes
Strong aptitude for learning and sharing knowledge.
Collaborative team player with the ability to work independently.
Performs effectively under pressure and tight deadlines.
Curious, rigorous, well-organised, and detail-oriented.
Reliable, committed, and thorough in execution.
Proactive, driven, and motivated to add value.
Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities.
Strong analytical capability with the ability to distil complex information quickly.
Adaptable communicator, effective across all levels of the organisation.