Drone Operator Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

WORK ARRANGEMENT: ON-SITE, FIELD-BASED. THIS IS NOT A REMOTE OR WORK-FROM-HOME JOB.
This role is performed in person, outdoors, on solar sites in and around Faribault, MN. You must already live within commuting distance of Faribault, or be prepared to relocate there at your own expense before your start date.
You may see this listed as "field-based." That means you drive from your home to job sites rather than reporting to an office each morning. It does not mean you can work from another city or state. Applications from candidates who are not located in - or actively relocating to - the Faribault area cannot be considered for this posting.
Territory: [30-90 minutes typical, rarely over 3 hours]. Overnight travel: [under 10%]. Schedule: [M-F, 7am-3pm or 8am-4pm]. On-call: [rotational Saturday 8am-12pm]. Overtime: [paid biweekly; 40-45 hours typical; 1.5x over 40].
SOLAR EXPERIENCE HELPS. IT IS NOT REQUIRED. STRONG ELECTRICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC SKILLS ARE.
Energy Support Services keeps solar and energy storage systems safe, reliable, and producing clean power. As a Field Service Technician II - Solar, you'll work independently on advanced inspections, preventative maintenance, and system troubleshooting - operating safely in high-voltage environments without direct supervision, guiding junior technicians on site, and progressing along a defined pathway toward Technician III.
If you have two or more years of serious hands-on technical work in any industry and you're the person people bring the problem nobody else could figure out, we want your application.
COMING FROM ANOTHER TRADE? THIS IS THE PART TO READ.
We hire experienced technicians out of other industries at this level regularly, and we build the solar knowledge on top. Here's how your background translates:

• Automotive, diesel, or heavy equipment - Root-cause diagnosis, circuit tracing, reading schematics, using a scan tool and DMM, working to torque spec, and writing up findings. You'll trade flat-rate for a salary, and your tool box for ours.
• HVAC/R, especially commercial or light-industrial - Control circuits, contactors, VFDs, three-phase power, service calls run solo, and preventative maintenance on a schedule. Very close cousin to this work.
• Telecommunications, broadband, or utility line work - Working at height, terminations, test equipment, prints, and outdoor work in every kind of weather. Your safety habits are already right.
• Industrial maintenance, wind, or power generation - Lockout/tagout discipline, medium-voltage awareness, PM programs, and CMMS documentation all carry directly across.
• Military technical specialties - Power generation, electrical systems, avionics, and electronics maintenance transfer cleanly.

The tools you'll learn (and their equivalents you may already know)

• I/V curve tracer - measures the performance curve of a string of solar modules to find underperformance. Conceptually similar to putting a vehicle or motor on a load test.
• Megohmmeter ("Megger") / insulation resistance tester - finds insulation breakdown and ground faults. If you've used one in industrial or motor work, it's the same instrument.
• Infrared thermography - thermal imaging to find hot spots in connections and modules. If you've used a thermal camera on bearings, panels, or refrigerant lines, you're already there.
• Drone-based aerial thermal inspection - we pay for your FAA Part 107 and teach you the flight work.

PAY
$75,000 - $95,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.
WHAT WE OFFER

• Tools and equipment: provided. Company truck, company fuel/credit card, and vehicle maintenance card. You will never spend your own money on tools here - no tool truck payment, no tool debt.
• Bonus: Up to an 8% performance bonus, paid annually.
• Apparel: Company-provided PPE and flame-resistant clothing kit (bibs, jackets, pants, shirts) at no cost to you.
• Health: Medical, dental, and vision. We pay 80% of your health insurance premiums.
• Retirement: 401(k) with up to a 7.5% company match.
• Time off: PTO accrued each pay period - 120 hours/year (years 0-2), 160 hours (years 3-9), 200 hours (10+ years) - plus 11 paid holidays.
• Family: 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Insurance: Company-paid Life and AD&D insurance at 1x your annual salary.
• Certifications - we pay, you keep them: OSHA 10/30, NFPA 70E/70B, FAA Part 107 (drone), and our internal O&M Tech course series. These certifications stay with you for the rest of your career.
• Advancement: A published Field Tech Development Pathway with defined progression to Technician III. You move up on demonstrated capability, not on how long you've been here.
• Education: Tuition reimbursement up to $10,000 per year for approved programs.

WHAT YOU'LL DO
Safety

• Lead by example in promoting a safe working culture in the field.
• Perform approved hazardous electrical energy control procedures and select the exact PPE required for each task.
• Participate in and actively critique Pre-Job Briefs and Job Safety Analysis (JSA). Apply personal lockout/tagout as a worker, or serve as work leader once approved.

Inspections and preventative maintenance

• Perform comprehensive electrical and mechanical inspections of solar energy systems.
• Conduct advanced preventative maintenance including infrared thermography, insulation resistance testing, and I/V curve tracing - all of which we train you on.
• Help build and implement preventative maintenance schedules for your assigned sites.

Troubleshooting

• Independently diagnose and troubleshoot system and operational issues.
• Operate and troubleshoot safely in 600VAC and 1500VDC environments without direct supervision. Note: 1500VDC is a higher DC voltage than most trades encounter - this is exactly why our safety training is extensive, paid, and mandatory before you work unsupervised.
• Use specialized diagnostic tools and root-cause analysis to handle equipment repairs and replacements.

Documentation

• Create and maintain detailed, accurate records of inspections, maintenance, and repairs with minimal oversight.
• Prepare clear technical reports and actionable equipment recommendations for the Team Lead.

Knowledge sharing

• Stay current on industry best practices, safety updates, and emerging technology.
• Share your expertise and give supportive guidance to junior technicians on site.
• Help improve the quality, clarity, and safety content of our training materials.
• Support your teammates and take on other duties as assigned.

WHAT YOU NEED
Required

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 2+ years of hands-on technical, electrical, or mechanical work in any industry - solar, electrical, automotive, diesel, HVAC/R, telecommunications, wind, power generation, industrial maintenance, utilities, or a military technical specialty.
• Solid working understanding of electrical fundamentals - AC and DC theory, series and parallel circuits, grounding, and safe work practices around energized equipment.
• Confident with a multimeter and able to read, interpret, and work from electrical schematics or engineering drawings.
• Strong analytical, time management, and problem-solving skills, and a track record of working independently without someone checking on you.
• Strong communication skills and the patience to bring a junior technician along.
• Valid driver's license and clean driving record.

Helpful, but we'll train and certify you

• Solar-specific or grid-tied PV system experience.
• FAA Part 107 drone certification - we pay for it.
• OSHA 30 and NFPA 70E - we pay for these as well.
• Hands-on time with I/V curve tracers, megohmmeters, or insulation testers - or comparable diagnostic instruments from another trade.
• Familiarity with Data Acquisition Systems (DAS) or SCADA - the monitoring systems that report site performance remotely.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Drive a vehicle confidently and with a high degree of safety.
• Stand for long periods and walk distances up to three miles per day.
• Navigate ladders, stairs, scaffolding, and ramps while maintaining three points of contact.
• Have visual acuity for depth perception, no field-of-vision issues, and the ability to distinguish between colors.
• Work comfortably in a range of climate conditions, including extreme heat (above 100°F) or extreme cold (below 32°F), for periods of more than one hour.
• Exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 30 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time.
The expected annual compensation range for this position is $75,000 - $95,000, encompassing base pay and potential incentive target opportunity. This range is a good faith estimate based on the position's requirements. Specific compensation offered to the selected candidate may vary depending on factors such as relevant knowledge, skills, training, experience, and market conditions. Additionally, this position may qualify for a comprehensive benefits package, including Retirement Benefits, Medical, Dental & Vision, Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Account, Life Insurance and Disability, Tuition Reimbursement, Voluntary Benefits, Paid Absences, and more.
About Us:
At New Energy Equity, a proud subsidiary of ALLETE, we're leading the charge in transforming the energy landscape with innovative solar solutions . As a top player in the renewable energy sector, we've successfully developed over 600MW of solar projects and closed more than $1.2 billion in clean energy investments . Our projects deliver sustainable electricity to a wide range of clients, including commercial, industrial, municipal, and utility customers . But there's more to us than just impressive numbers. We pride ourselves on a dynamic and engaging work environment where teamwork, continuous learning, and environmental stewardship are at the core of what we do . Our inclusive and collaborative culture encourages creativity and innovation, making our office a place where every idea is valued, and growth is a priority . At New Energy Equity, you'll join a passionate team that not only drives the clean energy future but also enjoys celebrating our successes together . With over 250 projects across the U.S. , our supportive atmosphere ensures a balanced work-life dynamic ⚖ and a fun, fulfilling career path . Join us and be part of a forward-thinking company where your contributions are celebrated, and your professional development is supported as we work towards a brighter, sustainable future .
The statements above outline the essential functions, nature, and level of work expected as of the document's preparation date. They are not exhaustive lists of all duties and responsibilities. New Energy Equity reserves the right to modify this job description at any time, without notice.
New Energy Equity is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law.
If you are an individual with disabilities who needs accommodation or you are having difficulty using our website to apply for employment, contact our HR department at amekonnen@newenergyequity.com