Application Engineer - Solar PV - Industrial & Utility BESS

Smart4 Energy; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Smart4 Energy is expanding its engineering team in South Africa and seeks an experienced Application Engineer focused on utility-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and hybrid renewables. You will design technically robust and commercially competitive solutions, coordinating with business development and project teams through early-stage development to tender prep.

The role combines technical design, modelling, customer engagement and commercial support within a dynamic market

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
• Experience on utility-scale Solar PV, BESS or hybrid renewables.
• Strong understanding of battery technologies, power conversion and grid-connected energy infrastructure.
• Experience with energy modelling and simulation software.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong presentation and customer-facing skills.
• Commercial awareness and understanding of project development environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop technical solutions for utility-scale BESS and hybrid Solar PV + BESS projects.
• Perform battery sizing, system modelling and performance analysis.
• Evaluate customer requirements and translate them into optimised technical designs.
• Support the preparation of tenders, technical proposals and project documentation.
• Provide technical support during customer meetings, workshops and project discussions.
• Work closely with sales and business development teams to identify and position the most suitable solutions.
• Conduct feasibility assessments and technology evaluations.
• Analyse project performance, operating requirements and commercial considerations.
• Engage with utilities, developers, EPC contractors and consultants throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support grid integration studies and technical due diligence activities.
• Stay abreast of emerging battery technologies, market developments and industry best practice.

Skills

BESS sizing

System modelling

Performance analysis

Technical communication

Presentation skills

Customer-facing

Commercial awareness

Education

Electrical Engineering degree

Tools

Energy modelling software

Job description

Smart4Energy have partnered with a globally recognised renewable energy and energy storage business that is expanding its engineering team in South Africa.

We're looking for an experienced Application Engineer with a passion for utility-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and renewable energy solutions. This position offers the opportunity to support the design and deployment of cutting-edge energy storage projects across Africa, working alongside industry-leading engineers and commercial teams.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys combining technical expertise, project development, customer engagement and commercial support within a rapidly evolving market.

The Opportunity

As an Application Engineer, you'll play a critical role in developing technical solutions for utility-scale battery storage and hybrid renewable energy projects. You'll work closely with business development, engineering, project development and customers to design technically robust and commercially competitive solutions.

You'll be involved from the earliest stages of project development through to technical proposal preparation, system optimisation and customer engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop technical solutions for utility-scale BESS and hybrid Solar PV + BESS projects
• Perform battery sizing, system modelling and performance analysis
• Evaluate customer requirements and translate them into optimised technical designs
• Support the preparation of tenders, technical proposals and project documentation
• Provide technical support during customer meetings, workshops and project discussions
• Work closely with sales and business development teams to identify and position the most suitable solutions
• Conduct feasibility assessments and technology evaluations
• Analyse project performance, operating requirements and commercial considerations
• Engage with utilities, developers, EPC contractors and consultants throughout the project lifecycle
• Support grid integration studies and technical due diligence activities
• Stay abreast of emerging battery technologies, market developments and industry best practice

What We're Looking For

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Energy Engineering or a related discipline
• Experience working on utility-scale Solar PV, BESS or hybrid renewable energy projects
• Strong understanding of battery technologies, power conversion systems and grid-connected energy infrastructure
• Experience with energy modelling and simulation software
• Exposure to system sizing, performance modelling and technical proposal development
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Strong presentation and customer-facing skills
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of project development environments

Experience That Will Make You Stand Out

• Microgrid design and optimisation
• Grid integration studies
• Knowledge of utility and regulatory requirements
• Technical sales or customer-facing engineering experience
• Experience collaborating with EPC contractors, developers and independent power producers