Head of Engineering

Electrabel nv; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,400,000; Full time

Job summary

ENGIE Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd is seeking a Head of Engineering to lead the SA engineering function across development, construction and operation phases. Based in Bryanston with travel across SA, the role reports to the COO: R&B SA and interacts with key internal stakeholders.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in engineering within power generation, strong leadership and strategic influence, and excellent English communication skills. A local employment contract is offered.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree required.
• 10+ years engineering experience in power generation or similar.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent English communication and collaboration abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering for projects in development, construction and operations phases.
• Direct reports include interns and professional engineers; manage multiple lines of reporting.
• Collaborate with BD, Procurement, Legal, Construction, Operations and other support functions.
• Set strategy and operating model for SA engineering; drive governance, processes and service delivery.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

People management

Education

Engineering degree (BTech/BEng/MSc)

Job description

Operation / Production Renewable

Permanent

Full - Time

VACANCY

1. POSITION DETAILS

Position Title:

Head of Engineering

Reports to:

• COO: R&B South Africa

Department:

Operations & Engineering: R&F South Africa

Period:

Full Time: Local Employment Contract

Location:

• Bryanston Office, Johannesburg, South Africa
• Regular travel within South Africa and occasional travel to Engie HQ/other sites

CLOSING DATE:

30 November 2026

2. BACKGROUND

The Engie group is a global reference in low-carbon energy and services. Together with our 90 000 employees, customers, partners and stakeholders, we are committed to accelerate the transition towards a carbon-neutral world, through reduced energy consumption and more environmentally friendly solutions. Present in 30 countries, the Group covers the entire energy value chain. For more information please visit: www.engie.com or www.engie-africa.com

The role is based in the Engie Bryanston Office, with regular travel to sites within the assigned cluster and periodic travel to other Engie offices/sites. The clusters are currently based on technology groupings and will be evaluated and adjusted periodically based on number/type of additional projects coming into operation, location, technology, complexity and business needs at the time.

3. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• The Head of Engineering is responsible for engineering leadership for projects in the development phase (75%), as well as during the construction phase (10%) and operation phase (15%).
• In charge of direct reports (Interns, TPEs, TPLs, TPMs and engineers allocated to ProjCo support (solid line) and OpCo support (dotted line).
• Close collaboration with the HODs in BD/Procurement/AIFA/Legal/Construction/Operations as well as support functions
• Setting the strategy and vision for the engineering function in SA including the target operating model, team capability & resource plan, processes & governance, service delivery, group compliance and ways of working.
• Lead, coach and mentor the team towards a positive, proactive high-performance culture.
• Contribute to and drive the ESA strategy and business plan by supporting the ESA management team and promoting key management initiatives.
• Ensure a balance between competitivity and sustainability across the full lifecycle of all projects, with emphasis on innovative responsible solutions that consider cost suitability, health, safety, environmental, social, local laws, ethics and engineering governance.
• Embrace innovation and technology-forward solutions that lead to efficiency, competitive advantage or growth.
• Managing risks on behalf of the business and ensure that engineering decisions, standards, risks and behaviours consistently protect the business, its people and its assets.

Specific responsibilities of the role include:

Projects and Asset Support:

• Lead the technical aspects of projects in development including feasibility studies, design, bids/proposals, due diligence, technical solution, and selecting and managing Engineering consultants and suppliers, with the aim of improving bid competitiveness and securing sustainability and technical quality as required for Construction and O&M.
• Be responsible for the overall technical solution, including choice of technology and technical configurations and setting of relevant availability, degradation, schedule and performance KPIs.
• Propose or advise on the optimal contracting structure for construction (EPC, EPC-M, etc.) and for operations (Owner-Operator model etc).
• Identify technical risks associated to the development, construction and operations phase of the project and propose mitigating measures.
• Ensure proper integration of HSE requirements in the technical studies and contracts of the project.
• Ensure mobilization of required technical expertise from within ENGIE (Métiers, etc.).
• Contribute and/or be responsible for drafting and negotiating the Owner specification including up to date return on experience of the ENGIE Group.
• Be responsible for the quality and consistency of all technical related agreements (EPC, PPA, FSA, OMA, LTSA, OE and Grid Connection Agreements etc.) after consultation with Construction and Operations teams.
• Be in charge of defining procurement strategies (together with the Procurement Department) and construction strategies (together with the Construction Department), establishing construction planning, defining project implementation budgets, negotiating all manner of construction and service agreements.
• Prepare O&M budget integrating feedback from ENGIE plants and ENGIE Group. Prepare all O&M and technical related documents for the bid (O&M organization chart, O&M references, O&M philosophy, etc.).
• Prepare technical inputs for financial models (hard and soft project costs, (renewable) resource availability, fuel and other resources, availability, degradation, schedule, …) and provide support for internal project approval processes.
• Interface with Lender’s Engineer and support regarding the Lender’s due diligence process.
• Prepare qualitative hand-over documentation for Construction and Operations in collaboration with the BD team.
• Participate in the formal hand-over from the business development team to the construction team
• Support ProjCos and OpCos through SLAs, with advisory and punctual problem resolution during the construction, commissioning or operations phase.
• Maintain a technology watch and share technology knowledge within ESA, AMEA or the R&F GBU teams.
• Develop and maintain good knowledge of local technical consultants and engineering offices.

Stakeholder Relations

• Coordinating internal stakeholders and departmental interfaces and ensuring services are well managed.
• Maintaining smooth relationships with all stakeholders while devoting best efforts to minimise and solve possible disputes in the best interest of the project/team

Finance

• Managing department within approved budgetary limits;
• Controlling and approving procurement and all expenditures as per the DOA

Reporting

• Reporting on the status of the assets to the ESA management team, Asset Managers and O&M Heads

Resource Management

• Leading, coordinating and supporting the team in the execution of their responsibilities.
• Setting KPIs, managing team performance, tools and resources and implementing skills development plans

4. COMMUNICATION AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Internal

• O&M Heads and Asset Managers

• Engie AMEA, R&F GBU and Other Group BUs/Functions

External

• Client / Off-Taker (ESKOM);
• Government and local authorities as required
• Communities

External

• Client / Off-Taker (ESKOM);
• Government and local authorities as required
• Communities

5. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Education

• B Tech, Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering (or related field).
• Relevant Certifications and Professional Registrations will be advantageous

Language

• Excellent English communication skills are mandatory (verbal and written).

Experience

• 10+ years of experience in Engineering within power generation, preferably in an IPP or utility environment.
• Strong understanding of power plant design, performance KPIs, yield assessments or thermodynamic modelling, and asset optimization.
• Proven ability to manage and mentor teams, with excellent leadership and communication skills.
• Experience working with both renewable and thermal generation assets is a plus.

Specific Knowledge/Skills

• Strong ability to think strategically and lead complex assignments
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to manage people/stakeholders/performance/conflict
• Strong analysis and problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to performance improvement.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, multi-plant operational environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work flexibly (independently and with teams), under complexity, ambiguity and with change.
• Ability to lead and motivate a team.
• Ability to work efficiently in a broad cultural spectrum.
• Process driven and maintains high ethical standard

ENGIE Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd is committed to equality, employment equity, and diversity. In accordance with the employment equity plan of ENGIE Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd and its employment equity goals and targets, preference may be given, but is not limited, to candidates from under-represented designated groups. ENGIE Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd reserves the right not to make an appointment to the posts as advertised. Candidates with disabilities are encouraged to apply for position

Company Name: ENGIE South Africa

Minimum Base Salary:

Maximum Base Salary:

Pay Basis:

Why this matters to us

Our organisation is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We offer reasonable accommodations upon request for individuals with disabilities.