Development Engineer-Wind, Solar, BESS

SET Recruitment Consultants; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement contributions

Group risk insurance

Short-term incentive

Professional development

Career growth

Major renewable energy developments

Job summary

SET Recruitment Consultants is seeking a Development Engineer in Cape Town to support wind, solar PV and battery energy storage projects from early development to construction readiness.

You will combine wind energy assessment expertise with analytical tools, optimise storage configurations and contribute to financial modelling, tariff and grid integration efforts, while collaborating with lenders and technical advisers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (BEng or BSc Eng) is required.
• Proven wind resource assessment and energy yield modelling experience.
• Strong analytical skills; proficient in Excel and Python.
• Ability to interpret complex technical data and deliver practical engineering solutions.
• Strong planning, communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Willingness to travel to project sites and work flexible hours.

Responsibilities

• Conduct wind resource assessments, turbine layouts and energy yield estimates across projects.
• Lead BESS sizing, dispatch modelling and optimisation for standalone or hybrid projects.
• Optimise battery storage configurations for energy arbitrage, ancillary services and PPAs.
• Develop hourly, monthly and annual energy production profiles for pricing and modelling.
• Collaborate with advisers and lenders to ensure bankable energy assessments.
• Support hybrid renewables development, including grid integration and curtailment mitigation.
• Provide technical inputs into financial models: efficiency, degradation, costs and augmentation.
• Coordinate site assessments and wind monitoring campaigns.
• Provide GIS mapping for development and permitting.
• Work with Business Development on tariff modelling and commercial solutions.
• Engage with suppliers and OEMs to evaluate equipment and guarantees.
• Support due diligence and strategic development initiatives.

Skills

Wind resource assessment

Energy yield modelling

Excel

Python

Data interpretation

Planning

Communication

Stakeholder management

Willingness to travel

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (BEng or BSc Eng)

Tools

GIS software

Job description

Development Engineer – Wind, Solar PV & BESS

Location: Cape Town, Western Cape
Industry: Renewable Energy
Remuneration: Market Related

About the Opportunity

We are recruiting for an experienced Development Engineer to join a leading renewable energy developer with a growing portfolio of wind, solar PV and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects.

This position offers an exciting opportunity for a technically strong engineer to play a key role in the development, optimisation and commercial viability of renewable energy projects, from early-stage development through to construction readiness.

The successful candidate will combine strong wind energy assessment expertise with advanced analytical capabilities and an understanding of energy storage technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct wind resource assessments, develop turbine layouts and prepare energy yield estimates across renewable energy projects.

• Lead BESS sizing, dispatch modelling and optimisation for standalone storage and hybrid wind/solar PV projects.

• Optimise battery storage configurations against multiple revenue streams, including energy arbitrage, ancillary services and corporate PPA requirements.

• Develop hourly, monthly and annual energy production profiles to support commercial pricing, financial modelling and offtake negotiations.

• Collaborate with technical advisers and lenders to ensure energy assessments and project assumptions meet bankability requirements.

• Support the development of hybrid renewable energy projects, including grid integration and curtailment mitigation strategies.

• Provide technical inputs into financial models, including system efficiency, degradation, operating costs and battery augmentation requirements.

• Coordinate site assessments, wind monitoring campaigns and relevant engineering activities.

• Provide GIS mapping and technical support for project development and permitting activities.

• Work closely with Business Development teams on tariff modelling, wheeling calculations and commercial energy solutions.

• Engage with technology suppliers, OEMs and technical consultants to evaluate equipment specifications and performance guarantees.

• Support technical due diligence, project feasibility assessments and strategic development initiatives.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (BEng or BSc Engineering).

• Proven experience in wind resource assessment and energy yield modelling – essential.

• Strong analytical capabilities, including proficiency in Excel and Python.

• Demonstrated ability to interpret complex technical data and develop practical engineering solutions.

• Strong planning, communication and stakeholder management skills.

• Willingness to travel frequently to project sites and work flexible hours when required.

Highly Advantageous

• Experience in BESS modelling, sizing, dispatch optimisation and revenue modelling.

• Understanding of the South African electricity market, including WEPS, Megaflex tariffs and electricity wheeling frameworks.

• Exposure to hybrid renewable energy developments (Wind + BESS / Solar PV + BESS).

• Experience with GIS software and spatial data analysis.

• Understanding of renewable energy project economics, energy trading and corporate PPAs.

• Experience engaging with technical advisers, lenders, OEMs and project development teams.

Ideal Candidate Profile

We are looking for a commercially minded and technically capable engineer who thrives in a dynamic project development environment. The ideal candidate is analytical, proactive, detail-oriented and capable of working independently while collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary teams.

A genuine passion for renewable energy, strong problem-solving abilities and the willingness to take ownership of complex engineering challenges will be essential.

What's on Offer?

• Market-related remuneration package.

• Medical aid and retirement contributions.

• Group risk insurance cover.

• Short-term incentive opportunities.

• Professional development and career growth.

• Opportunity to contribute to major renewable energy developments.