Engineering Manager - Renewable Energy

Energy Vault; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading sustainable energy partner in Johannesburg is seeking an Engineering Manager to lead their design team. This role involves overseeing photovoltaic system engineering, project management, and stakeholder collaboration, along with ensuring compliance with technical standards. Candidates should have extensive experience in the solar industry, strong leadership abilities, and qualifications in Electrical Engineering.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in the solar industry, with at least 5 years in a managerial role.
• Experience in multinational environments with matrix reporting.
• Registration with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the design team, ensuring technical excellence.
• Oversee all design engineering and optimization work.
• Conduct energy yield assessments and technical negotiations.

Skills

Technical design knowledge

Project management

Stakeholder management

Negotiation skills

Education

University degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

PVSYST

AUTOCAD

SOLARGIS

HOMER

Job description

The organisation is a leading sustainable energy partner for businesses, serving commercial and industrial customers in the Middle East and Africa. Its clean energy solutions enable businesses to reduce energy costs, improve power reliability, and lower carbon emissions. The company's shareholders include various investment and financial entities.

The Engineering Manager’s primary responsibility is to lead and manage the design team in South Africa, translating initial system concept designs into detailed, construction-ready plans. The role involves supporting project management and business development teams, ensuring technical excellence in photovoltaic (PV) system engineering and technology. The position requires strong decision-making skills, good EPC and O&M negotiating skills, extensive market knowledge (including experience working with national grid operators), and a broad technical background covering elements such as Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and Grid Connection systems (Wheeling and SSEG).

KRA 1: Team Leadership and Stakeholder Management

• Lead the engineering and technology team within the department, addressing business requirements at various project stages and for M&A opportunities.
  
• Collaborate with the project development team on optimal engineering design; negotiate with contractors; and oversee all design engineering and optimisation work to achieve Financial Close.
  
• Develop and execute team management processes to ensure timely, budget-conscious delivery, adhering to best practices in solar PV engineering.
  
• Incorporate lessons learned to improve processes and contribute to the company’s overall growth.
  
• Recruit, develop, retain, and guide highly skilled solar professionals.
  
• Support Customer and Business Development teams by understanding their needs and delivering tailored solutions to drive business success.
  

KRA 2: Technical Design Knowledge and Project Management

• Provide hands-on technical assistance to local and corporate teams during project design, review, and implementation phases, including AS-BUILT designs.
  
• Lead technical negotiations with clients and EPC contractors.
  
• Stay current with PV technology advancements, influencing equipment specification and selection.
  
• Assess technology risks and opportunities at corporate and project levels, ensuring compliance with grid codes and standards (LV/MV/HV systems).
  
• Conduct energy yield assessments for complex terrains and rooftops using simulation software such as PVSyst, following established guidelines.
  
• Act as a technical lead for key equipment reviews, defining requirements, reviewing contracts, and participating in negotiations.
  
• Review project designs for site-specific suitability and provide optimization recommendations to ensure safe, reliable operation throughout the asset’s lifespan.
  
• Support project teams during construction, mechanical completion, and handover phases, including QA/QC protocols, factory acceptance testing, site inspections, and warranty evaluations.
  
• Conduct site visits, generate PV layouts/Single Line Diagrams (SLDs), and maintain tools for evaluating project economics (DEVEX, CAPEX, OPEX).
  

KRA 3: Compliance and Quality Control

• Contribute to pre-construction activities by defining contractor obligations, technical specifications, and reviewing agreements.
  
• Lead development of EPC technical appendices.
  
• Design and review PV plant equipment specifications, technical studies, and operational assessments, including modules, inverters, BESS, switchgear, transformers, cables, and monitoring systems.
  
• Engage regularly with suppliers for technical discussions, solutions, and optimization of electrical infrastructure.
  
• Perform PV system performance simulations, including probabilistic analysis (P50/P90) and uncertainty calculations.
  

Requirements

• University degree in Electrical Engineering.
  
• 10+ years of demonstrated experience in the solar industry, with at least 5 years in a managerial role involving technical consulting, EPC, or Asset Management.
  
• Experience working in multinational, multi-segment environments with matrix reporting structures.
  
• Knowledge of diverse legal and regulatory frameworks.
  
• Registration with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).

Functional Competencies

• Proficiency in PVSYST, SOLARGIS, AUTOCAD, SKETCHUP, PVCase, HOMER Software for modelling, design, analysis, and monitoring of PV and BESS systems.
  
• Strong understanding of electrical systems (LV/MV/HV) and structural components, along with familiarity with solar equipment manufacturers.
  
• Knowledge of local authority requirements, grid operator standards, and international codes (SANS, NRS, NERSA Grid codes)

Core Competencies

• Confident communication, ability to establish rapport, and present complex concepts practically.
  
• Ability to produce concise, audience-appropriate documentation, with clear key points and next steps.
  
• Responsiveness and professionalism in interactions, providing regular project updates.
  
• Proven track record of delivering projects within scope, budget, and schedule, with accountability for team results.
  
• Strong analytical skills, capable of translating research into actionable insights.