Traveling Journeyman Electrician – Ground-Mount Solar

Employment Type: Direct Hire | Full-Time | W-2 Employee

Location: Must currently reside in Kankakee, IL, USA

Travel Requirement: 100% travel, including overnight and out-of-state assignments

Compensation: $50–$55 per hour + $140 per day per diem

Pay Frequency: Weekly

Hiring Type: Multiple openings | Ongoing hiring

Industry: Solar EPC | Ground-Mount Solar | Utility-Scale Solar | Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)

About the Opportunity

We are hiring experienced Traveling Journeyman Electricians to support ground-mount solar construction projects for a fast-growing Solar Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor.

The company delivers distributed-generation solar projects ranging from 1–10 MW and utility-scale projects of 15+ MW, with expanding operations in battery energy storage systems (BESS).

This is a direct-hire, full-time W-2 position, not a contract or temporary assignment. Successful candidates will join an established field team and contribute to the electrical installation, wiring, termination, and commissioning preparation of large-scale solar projects.

We are seeking electricians with at least 8,000 electrical work hours that can be verified through previous employers. A journeyman title, electrician license, or self-reported experience alone is not sufficient.

Candidates must be comfortable with a traveling work lifestyle, overnight stays, and booking their own accommodations using the provided per diem.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform electrical installation and field wiring for ground-mount solar photovoltaic (PV) projects.
• Complete AC and DC electrical terminations in accordance with project drawings, specifications, and applicable electrical codes.
• Install, route, organize, label, and secure electrical wiring and cables while maintaining proper wire management practices.
• Read and interpret electrical drawings, wiring diagrams, wire schedules, bills of materials (BOMs), and other construction documents.
• Support installation and electrical integration of solar inverters, combiner boxes, and associated electrical equipment.
• Assist with electrical work associated with battery energy storage systems (BESS), where applicable.
• Perform electrical construction activities safely, efficiently, and in accordance with established quality standards.
• Identify installation issues, wiring discrepancies, and potential safety concerns and communicate them to site leadership.
• Coordinate with project managers, supervisors, other electricians, and construction crews to meet project schedules.
• Lead by example in the field and provide guidance or mentorship to apprentices and less-experienced electricians.
• Maintain accurate work records and follow site-specific safety procedures.
• Travel to project sites across Illinois and to out-of-state assignments, including Arizona, Kansas, and Oklahoma.
• Arrange and manage personal lodging using the daily per diem allowance.

Mandatory Qualifications — All Requirements Must Be Met

Candidates must satisfy every requirement below to qualify for submission.

1. Verified Electrical Experience

• At least 8,000 hours of electrical work experience.
• The hours must be verifiable through previous employers.
• Candidates must be able to identify previous employers and provide a verification contact when available.
• A journeyman license or card does not replace the 8,000-hour verification requirement.

2. Current Illinois Residency

• Must currently live in Illinois.
• Candidates residing outside Illinois are not eligible, even if they are willing to relocate or travel.
• Illinois residents statewide may be considered, including candidates outside the preferred sourcing radii.

3. Full-Time Travel Availability

• Must be willing and able to travel 100% of the time.
• Must accept overnight stays and assignments outside Illinois.
• Must be willing to work in Arizona, Kansas, and Oklahoma, in addition to Illinois.
• Candidates unwilling to travel out of state are not eligible.

4. Independent Lodging Arrangements

• Must be willing to book and manage their own hotel or Airbnb accommodations.
• The position provides a $140 daily per diem for eligible days worked to cover lodging, fuel, and incidentals.
• Candidates must understand that they are responsible for arranging their accommodations within the provided allowance.
• Shared Airbnb accommodations may be used by crews, depending on arrangements.

5. Vehicle and Driving Requirements

• Must own a reliable personal vehicle.
• Must hold a valid driver's license.
• Must have a safe driving record and meet applicable company driving requirements.
• Candidates without reliable transportation are not eligible.

6. U.S. Work Authorization

• Must have permanent U.S. work authorization.
• Employer sponsorship is not available.
• Candidates requiring sponsorship or working under OPT or TN status are not eligible.

7. Employment Type

• Must be interested in a direct-hire, full-time W-2 position.
• Candidates seeking contract-only, temporary, or staffing-contract arrangements are not eligible.

8. Pre-Employment Requirements

• Must successfully complete the required drug screening and background check.
• Must be physically capable of lifting up to 80 pounds, with reasonable accommodation where applicable.

Preferred Experience and Skills

The following qualifications are preferred and help distinguish stronger candidates. They are not mandatory screening requirements.

• Ground-mount solar PV installation experience.
• Utility-scale solar construction experience, particularly projects of 15 MW or larger.
• Experience with AC/DC terminations and PV electrical wire management.
• Hands-on experience with inverters, combiner boxes, and related electrical equipment.
• Battery energy storage system (BESS) installation or integration experience.
• Ability to interpret electrical drawings, wiring schedules, and bills of materials.
• Experience performing material takeoffs.
• Five or more years of solar or electrical construction experience.
• Previous traveling-crew experience or experience working under a per diem arrangement.
• Experience mentoring apprentices or leading field crews.
• Previous employment with a solar EPC contractor or commercial/industrial electrical contractor.
• A journeyman card or electrician license issued by any state.
• OSHA 10, OSHA 30, familiarity with the National Electrical Code (NEC), or NABCEP credentials.

Candidates with previous traveling-crew experience, utility-scale ground-mount solar experience, strong DC-side electrical skills, or BESS experience should receive priority.

Compensation and Benefits

Hourly Compensation

• $50–$55 per hour, based on experience and qualifications.
• Paid weekly.
• Eligible for overtime in accordance with applicable law and company policy.
• Performance-based incentives may be available.

Daily Per Diem

• $140 per day for eligible days worked.
• Intended to cover lodging, fuel, and incidentals.
• Employees arrange and book their own lodging, including hotels or Airbnb accommodations.
• Travel between job sites is paid; travel from home to the worksite is not paid.

Benefits

• 100% employer-paid employee health and dental insurance beginning on day one.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions.
• Company-paid life and disability insurance.
• 401(k) plan with employer match.
• Paid time off (PTO).
• Six paid holidays.
• Education reimbursement.

Specific benefit eligibility, plan terms, overtime rules, and per diem conditions are subject to the employer's applicable policies.

Equal Opportunity

The employer evaluates candidates based on job-related qualifications, experience, and applicable employment requirements. Reasonable accommodations will be considered for qualified individuals with disabilities, consistent with applicable law.