Lead Solar Farm Operations Engineer

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Remote work flexibility

Training & development opportunities

Career advancement and bonuses

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Lead Solar Farm Operations Engineer to manage performance across large-scale solar plants in South Africa. This fully remote role supports a distributed cape-town-based team, focusing on maximizing energy generation, asset integrity, and grid compliance.

You will lead engineers, analyze SCADA data, coordinate maintenance, and mentor staff while evaluating new technologies to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Mechanical engineering.
• 7+ years of experience in operation and maintenance of solar PV power plants.
• Demonstrated expertise in PV system design, performance monitoring, and fault diagnosis.
• Proficiency with SCADA systems, data acquisition, and performance analysis software.
• Strong understanding of grid interconnection standards and power plant economics.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the operational performance of multiple solar farms, ensuring optimal energy output and system uptime.
• Develop and implement preventative maintenance strategies and corrective action plans for PV systems and associated infrastructure.
• Analyze performance data using SCADA and other monitoring systems to identify trends, anomalies, and areas for improvement.
• Manage remote troubleshooting and diagnostics of solar farm equipment, including inverters, panels, and tracking systems.
• Coordinate with field maintenance teams, contractors, and stakeholders to ensure timely and effective repairs and upgrades.
• Ensure compliance with all safety regulations, environmental standards, and grid codes.
• Prepare detailed operational reports, performance analyses, and recommendations for asset enhancement.
• Lead and mentor junior operations engineers and technical staff remotely.
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies and operational practices to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• Act as the primary technical point of contact for operational queries and escalations.

Skills

PV systems expertise

SCADA data analysis

Remote team leadership

Grid connection knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SCADA software

Data acquisition systems

Job description

About the Role

Join our client, a pioneering force in the renewable energy sector, as a Lead Solar Farm Operations Engineer. This fully remote position offers an exceptional opportunity for an experienced engineer to manage and optimize the performance of large-scale solar power plants across South Africa. You will be at the forefront of ensuring maximum energy generation efficiency, maintaining asset integrity, and implementing innovative operational strategies. This role demands a deep technical understanding of photovoltaic (PV) systems, inverters, monitoring platforms, and grid integration. As a remote-first organization, we leverage advanced communication and collaboration tools to ensure seamless teamwork and project oversight. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in maintaining the highest standards of operational excellence, contributing significantly to our client's mission of delivering clean, reliable energy. This is a key leadership position for an individual passionate about renewable energy and adept at remote work dynamics, based in Cape Town , Western Cape but with a fully distributed team.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the operational performance of multiple solar farms, ensuring optimal energy output and system uptime.
• Develop and implement preventative maintenance strategies and corrective action plans for PV systems and associated infrastructure.
• Analyze performance data using SCADA and other monitoring systems to identify trends, anomalies, and areas for improvement.
• Manage remote troubleshooting and diagnostics of solar farm equipment, including inverters, panels, and tracking systems.
• Coordinate with field maintenance teams, contractors, and stakeholders to ensure timely and effective repairs and upgrades.
• Ensure compliance with all safety regulations, environmental standards, and grid codes.
• Prepare detailed operational reports, performance analyses, and recommendations for asset enhancement.
• Lead and mentor junior operations engineers and technical staff remotely.
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies and operational practices to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• Act as the primary technical point of contact for operational queries and escalations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in the operation and maintenance of solar PV power plants.
• Demonstrated expertise in PV system design, performance monitoring, and fault diagnosis.
• Proficiency with SCADA systems, data acquisition, and performance analysis software.
• Strong understanding of grid interconnection standards and power plant economics.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with a keen eye for detail.
• Proven ability to manage and lead technical teams effectively in a remote setting.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, comfortable liaising with diverse stakeholders.
• Familiarity with South African renewable energy policies and regulatory frameworks.
• Ability to work independently and manage workload effectively in a remote environment.

Benefits

• This role offers a competitive salary package, comprehensive health insurance, and retirement benefits.
• As a fully remote position, it provides significant flexibility and autonomy.
• Our client fosters a culture of continuous learning, offering access to online training resources and professional development opportunities.
• You will be part of a forward-thinking company committed to sustainability and innovation in the energy sector.
• Benefits include regular performance reviews, potential for bonuses, and a supportive virtual work environment.
• This position is ideal for professionals seeking a challenging role within the renewable energy industry while enjoying the benefits of remote work.
• We value work-life balance and provide the tools and support needed to succeed from anywhere.