Electrical Grid Engineer _Construction

Seriti Green; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

GAP Cover & Group Risk

Retirement contribution

Employee assistance programme

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Seriti Group seeks a senior Electrical Engineering lead to manage electrical works for renewable energy projects in South Africa. You will oversee eBoP and cBoP elements, coordinate external consultants and ensure conformance with ERs, standards, and regulatory requirements.

The role includes lifecycle asset management input, design optimization, and hands-on testing oversight across site and grid interface activities. This is a leadership position within a high-demand EPC environment.

Qualifications

• Lead technical aspects of interconnection infrastructure from development through operation.
• Manage external engineering firms and subcontractors to ensure on-time delivery.
• Implement technical due diligence and risk assessments.
• Provide input for project budgets and resource allocation.
• Ensure designs meet Employers Requirements (ER) and applicable standards.

Responsibilities

• Ensure electrical works meet required quality standards and design specs.
• Review test reports and validate results for HV and Secondary Plant equipment.
• Coordinate site inspections and oversee contractor performance and QA.
• Lead contract management activities including variations and claims.
• Provide O&M input during planning, design and implementation.
• Develop and maintain safety, health and environmental risk controls.

Skills

Electrical design

Project management

Risk assessment

Stakeholder liaison

Quality assurance

Contract management

Interface management

Education

BSc or B.Eng in Electrical Engineering or equivalent

Job description

Reports To: Head of Engineering

THE ROLE

Be primarily responsible for managing all aspects of project Electrical works which include the Electrical Balance of Plant (eBoP) design and technical report review, supply and construction scope, provide oversight of the Electrical elements of the Civil Balance of Plant (cBoP), and oversee the project quality installation witnessing, inspection and factory and site test observations. To enhance the performance of the primary and secondary plant equipment by contributing to the effective life cycle management of the asset base.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

ENGINEERING DESIGN & QUALITY

• Lead all technical aspects of interconnection infrastructure (e.g., utility and IPP substations, transmission and distribution lines, collector network) from early-stage development through commercial operation.
• Manage external engineering firms and subcontractors, ensuring on-time and on-budget delivery.
• Implement technical due diligence, fatal flaw analysis, and risk assessments.
• Provide technical input for the development of project budgets, ensuring cost-effectiveness and optimal resource allocation.
• Participate and contribute to the design team that liaises with stakeholders on technical inputs, scoping, prioritization, adherence to the Employers Requirements (ER), assessment of modification, progress monitoring and reporting on associated risks.
• Contribute to the pre-feasibility designs by considering the ER specifications.
• Drafting the scope of works and contributing to prepare the Requests for Proposals to be issued to procure front-end Electrical engineering studies to support the Project Development team’s endeavors (i.e. lightning studies, grid capacity studies, earth resistivity tests, etc.).
• Contribute to the concept, basic and detailed designs in full compliance with the ERs, relevant standards, and other design criteria to achieve an optimized asset base.
• Perform appropriate interface designs and support interface management.
• Liaise with external Consultants on the scoping, progress, quality and modifications of designs.
• Contribute to the documentation of the design package.
• Ensure that the Electrical designs (i.e. Primary and Secondary Plant) is completed on time and to the required quality standards so that the various interface requirements are met.
• Identify key inspection/witness points and conduct key work inspections, and that they are undertaken in line with the various Issue for Construction (IFC) plans and the appropriate risk assessment and quality documentation is provided.
• Support the Construction Site Manager and Project Manager with technical confirmation to certify completion for milestone payments.
• Collaborate with the Civil and Mechanical Engineers, and the Engineering Manager on the interfaces and overall design process management.
• Ensure that the various interface requirements are met; to accommodate the Wind Turbine deliveries and undertake design reviews to ensure the various supplied equipment’s are following the various contractual requirements, ERs, and the applicable license conditions, regulatory and acceptable industry Codes, legislations and governing laws.
• Make recommendations on reducing technical risk, improving reliability of assets, through plant health assessments, trending of incidents, analysis of data and ongoing monitoring.
• Supports the Engineering manager with the development of internal guidelines and standards to standardize the department’s Engineering practice and to maintain ISO compliance.
• Contribute to the development of technical, refurbishment and obsolescence plans whilst considering the impact of both supply and demand side alternatives.
• Support the Engineering Manager with identifying training needs of the business within the discipline area.
• Ensure the electrical and SCADA design is progressed in a timely manner to meet interface requirements.
• Develop discipline‑specific philosophies, technical guidelines and standards, procedures and specifications.
• Provide professional technical leadership over Engineers within their own discipline.
• Overseeing and leading investigations into plant incidents and recommending interventions to bring plant back into service.
• Providing O&M input during project planning, design and implementation.
• Executing condition monitoring and testing activities on plant tan delta, thermography, oils sample and DGA analysis as well as earth continuity testing etc. as required.
• Scanning the market for potential innovations, analyzing them for development and potential adoption.

CONSTRUCTION & OPERATIONS

• Responsible for ensuring that all electrical works are of the required quality standards, and that they meet the specifications and design requirements.
• Reviewing work and tests reports of work performed on The HV and Secondary Plant equipment in the Substation, validating results and recommending acceptance or further actions.
• Regular site inspections and walkdowns to verify the electrical contractor’s performance, contract adherence, quality etc.
• Conducting inspections, witnessing of material and component tests, and overseeing any necessary remediation work.
• Close liaison with site team to ensure issues are being managed in accordance with the various contract requirements.
• Regular/periodic reporting of electrical construction status.
• Developing Quality Assurance plans and scopes of work documents for HV and Secondary Plant equipment.
• Regular site inspections and walkdowns to verify eBoP performance, contract adherence, and quality.
• Performing quality assurance and final handover HV and Secondary Plant equipment for operational and capital project activities.
• Support of the handover of the electrical assets to Seriti Green Asset Management team.
• Close liaison with site team to manage issues in accordance with contract requirements, including commissioning and Grid Code Compliance testing with Renewable Energy Technical Evaluation Committee (RETEC).
• Manage handover of Electrical assets to Seriti Green Asset Management team, providing necessary quality and operation and maintenance documentation.
• Ensuring the availability of plant condition monitoring and reporting systems.
• Recording of plant condition and plan performance and the trending thereof.
• Providing breakdown intervention to ensure return to service of failed plant.
• Investigating root causes of failures, identifying issues, investigating preventative measures and applying corrective action.
• Evaluating risks to plant, based on plant reliability and making recommendations on strategic spared holding.
• Compile and submit monthly plant performance and generation reports.

CONTRACT MANAGEMENT

• Ensure all project contract requirements are implemented.
• Produce procedures for contract requirements implementation as required.
• Follow company policies associated with contracts.
• Initiate contractual claims as required.
• Prepare contract variations.
• Lead the eBoP payment and variation certification process and manage contractual disputes if they arise.
• Monitor and review financial data related to contract performance, forecasts, labor and variation costs, expected Gross Margin, and profits. Report discrepancies as they arise.
• Assist with reporting and processing monthly cost recording and processing.
• Monitor, review, and ensure all Business Units deliver required reports.
• Provide Project Reports according to project and company requirements.
• Assist with estimating and provide guidance on costings and commercial matters, including commercial schedules for tender submissions on other projects.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• BSc or B.Eng in Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
• At least 7 years’ experience in a large-scale construction project environment.
• Good knowledge of the South African Grid Code including the Renewables Grid Code will be an advantage.
• Experience working for an EPC contractor or consultant in the renewable industry.
• Exposure in the Wind/Solar/BESS farms Electrical design and on substation and overhead line design and construction methods will be an advantage will be an advantage.
• Demonstrated experience in the technical operations of renewable power generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure.
• Sound technical and commercial understanding of the Electrical and/or the Construction Industry.
• Good understanding of the appropriate South African and International Standards and Regulations.
• Desirable to have wind farm project delivery experience.
• Demonstrated high level of commercial acumen, with a proven ability to navigate complex deal structures.
• Demonstrated capacity to work for a multitude of internal and external clients with conflicting interests and priorities. Demonstrated capacity to influence outcomes.
• Demonstrated capacity to develop and manage relationships to ensure outcomes are achieved as harmoniously as possible.
• Demonstrated capacity to work both autonomously and within the team environment; use initiative; solve problems through analytical thinking; & make decisions within an intense construction environment.
• Experience with health, safety and environmental risk mitigation controls.
• Professional Registration with relevant local or international statutory body or institutions will be an advantage.

ESSENTIAL SKILL

• Delivery of projects in accordance with the contract to the satisfaction of investors, project stakeholders and joint venture partners.
• All safety, time, cost, and quality KPI’s of the project are met.
• Contract administered in line with the obligations
• Delivery of the project forecast and reports on time.
• Contribution to the improvement of project management methods and processes within Project Construction.

CHARACTER & ATTRIBUTES

• Enthusiastic commitment to the renewable energy industry.
• Be flexible in terms of working arrangements, national travel and some international travel may be required as part of the job.
• Ability to demonstrate high standards of ethical conduct, honesty and integrity.
• High attention to accuracy; cost conscious.
• The capacity and willingness to perform hands‑on tasks.
• Self‑motivated with the ability to work both individually and as a part of a small, skilled, and highly focused team, with a “can-do” attitude and willingness to take ownership of delivering on their goals and responsibilities.
• Proactive approach to problem-solving and comfortable to make recommendations around resolving challenges.
• Strong commercial acumen and an ability to think and act strategically to maximize opportunities for the business.
• Flexible working style, able to work at a variety of differently levels both inside and outside the organisation and with members of the team being in different locations.
• Team player.
• Comfortable, available and willing to travel and do business within Africa at times.
• High attention to detail including adherence to company procedures.
• Resourceful, well organised and effective at accomplishing objectives.
• Ability to learn quickly and meet deadlines.
• Ability to problem‑solve.

EMPLOYMENT PACKAGE & OUTLINE

Salary:

Market Related

Benefits:

Medical aid,GAP Cover & Group Risk

Retirement contribution

Employee assistance programme

Professional development opportunities

Rewards:

Performance bonus

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