Phoenix Exteriors Roofing & Solar | Chicagoland, IL | Full-Time | $30.00 – $33.00 per hour to start
Why This Job Is Different
Most solar installers spend their careers on ranch homes and flat commercial roofs. We don't do most jobs.
Phoenix Exteriors & Solar is Tesla's leading Solar Roofing partner in the Chicagoland market. We've been a roofing company since 2007 and a solar company since 2018 - which means we do the work almost nobody else can do: solar and Tesla Solar Roof on steep slope, high-end residential homes. Slate. Metal. Composite. Roofs other companies walk away from.
If you're good on a steep roof and you want to learn a trade that pays for the rest of your life, this is the crew to be on.
What You'll Be Doing
Working under our lead installer on a small, tight crew. This is a full-scope role - new installs, service, and everything in between:
New Installations
- Layout, mounting, and flashing of racking systems on steep slope roofs
- Setting and securing solar modules
- Roof penetrations and flashing detail work — done watertight, done right
- Conduit and wire management: running pipe, bending, strapping, and clean wire routing that passes inspection and looks sharp
- Assisting with Tesla Solar Roof installations as you develop
Battery & Equipment
- Battery storage installations (Tesla Powerwall, SolarEdge, Enphase, Sol-Ark)
- Battery units run from roughly 200 to 300+ lbs — these are team lifts using proper rigging, lifting equipment, and technique. If you've never moved something that heavy safely, we'll teach you how, but you need the physical capability
- Mounting inverters, disconnects, and balance-of-system equipment
Service, O&M, and Detach & Reset
- Troubleshooting existing solar systems - identifying underperforming strings, failed optimizers/microinverters, and wiring faults
- Operations and maintenance repair work on systems already in the field
- Detach and reset: safely removing existing arrays for roof replacement and reinstalling them correctly
- Documenting site conditions and communicating findings back to the office
Every Job
- Daily safety setup: harness, anchors, tie-offs, fall protection
- Loading and staging material, ladder and hoist setup
- Jobsite cleanup and magnet sweeps - we leave properties better than we found them
Where This Role Goes
This is not a dead-end labor position. We're building this role as step one on a real advancement track.
You'll be exposed to inverter mounting, battery systems, conduit work, and system troubleshooting from day one - not held on the racking crew for three years. Guys who show up, work safe, and learn fast move into leading their own service and install work, and eventually a supported path toward electrical licensing. We'd rather promote someone we trained than hire a stranger. That's how the person you'll be working under got there.
Your rate goes up as your skill set goes up. That's the deal.
What We're Looking For
Required:
- Proven comfort and stability working on steep slope roofs - this is the single most important qualification
- 1+ year of experience in roofing, solar installation, or a related construction trade
- Able to consistently lift and carry 50+ lbs solo, and to participate in team lifts of 200–300+ lb battery units using proper equipment and technique
- Willingness to learn the service side - troubleshooting, O&M, and detach & reset work, not just new installs
- Reliable transportation and a valid driver's license
- Show up on time, every day, ready to work
- Basic hand tools
Preferred (not required - we'll train the right person):
- Prior solar racking and module installation experience
- Battery storage installation experience - Tesla Powerwall, Enphase, SolarEdge, or Sol-Ark
- Conduit bending and wire management experience
- Solar troubleshooting, service, or detach & reset experience
- OSHA 10 or OSHA 30
- Experience with slate, tile, metal, or synthetic roofing systems
- Bilingual English/Spanish
- Familiarity with Tesla Racking, IronRidge, Sunmodo, or SnapNrack systems
What We Offer
- $30 – $33/hour starting, based on experience - with raises tied to skill advancement
- Year-round work (roofing and solar keeps the calendar full through the seasons)
- Small crew, real training, direct access to leadership
- Work on the most interesting and highest-end solar projects in the Chicago market
- PTO, Holiday Pay, Health & Dental Insurance as well as Lifetime Fitness membership
- Gas Allowance
Ready to Apply?
Apply through Indeed with a short note about your roofing or solar experience and how long you've been working on steep slope roofs. If you've got photos of your work, send them.
Phoenix Exteriors & Solar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.
Elevating Homes, Empowering Change.
Pay: $30.00 - $33.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
