Renewable Energy Engineer

Company Description

WSP is one of the most diverse consulting firms in Africa. To further our strategic business execution plan, we are seeking leaders that share our guiding principles – we value our people and our reputation; we are locally dedicated with international scale; we are future focused and challenge the status quo; we foster collaboration in everything we do and we have an empowering culture and hold ourselves accountable. We are committed to the achievement and maintenance of diversity and equity in employment.

Job Description

KEY ROLE:

WSP South Africa is looking for an experienced and passionate Renewables Engineer who will function as a technical consultant for utility-scale Solar PV and Wind Energy projects in Southern Africa and also be able to support international business as required.

A commitment to registration as a candidate engineer with ECSA to obtain a PrEng registration within 1-3 years is required; however, existing professional registration with ECSA is considered advantageous. Up to 50% travel to clients, sites and manufacturers premises is envisaged. The role will require foreign travel, specifically travel within Africa.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Technical (Approximately 70%):

• Managing high-quality quality technical advisory works.
• Project management and interfacing between engineering disciplines (mechanical, electrical, civil and control & instrumentation);
• Provide technical input from initial assessment through to technical and economic feasibility of the solar PV /Wind projects and integration with other electrical or generating plants as necessary.
• Review overall project design and suggest technical and design improvements.
• Preparation and management of technical specifications, bills of materials, tender stage management and evaluations, negotiation and selection of Balance of Plant, Operation & Maintenance or EPC, and other supply contracts.
• Technical reviews/negotiate key construction contracts for, and alongside, clients.
• Due diligence of solar PV projects and support Sponsor(s) and Lender(s) throughout the Financial Close process including technical liaison with legal and financial advisors.
• Risk management, including construction, operational, and financial risk as well as internal WSP risk management.
• Assessing technical risks and proposing mitigation strategies to reduce risk exposure in project CAPEX, OPEX, and revenues.
• Monitoring project construction and acceptance including site visits and commissioning supervision; and
• Assist with and/or conduct any other necessary aspects of a project that fall within the discipline of the role.
• Mentor and supervise junior engineers including reviewing, checking, and approving the work output of junior engineers

Business developer (Approximately 30%):

• Drive and participate in business development in defining and deploying the sales strategy, selecting target markets and clients, and in scoping and pricing of services, with particular focus on the South African and regional markets such as Namibia, Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
• Prepare and manage proposals for client projects such as Due Diligence, Technical Advisory Services, Owner’s Engineering, Lenders Technical Advisor, and other service offerings, and provide inputs for the WSP internal governance process.
• Manage existing and new customer relationships through efficient client and account management; and
• Attend internal and external meetings and represent WSP in a suitable fashion according to the company principles at all times.
• Maintaining relationships with internal divisions, external contractors, and clients

Health and Safety

• Role model standards for SHEQ performance and behavior consistent with the company’s health, safety, environmental, and quality vision and policies by influencing those around you
• Contributing to the identification of SHEQ risks and driving processes to achieve Zero Harm
• Embracing, displaying, and promoting the company values and ensuring a safe working environment is maintained at all times

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• BSc Engineering (Elec or Mech) Degree or BTech Engineering (Elect or Mech)
• 3-6 years experience in Solar PV technology with experience in Wind Technology considered very advantageous. A Mix of South African experience (REIPPP) and regional overseas experience is also preferred.
• In-depth knowledge and field expertise regarding solar PV/Wind turbine technologies including emerging technologies in the international renewable energy market.
• Technical advisory experience towards investors, project developers, and banks.
• Proven experience in business development.
• Knowledge of various solar PV applications (utility-scale, ground-mounted, building-mounted, fixed tilt, single-axis, and multi-axis tracking).
• International solar PV project development and delivery experience.
• Experience covering a range of solar PV plant lifecycle delivery (including feasibility and development engineering, construction monitoring, witnessing testing and commissioning activities, and operational monitoring/inspections)
• Knowledge of solar PV plant designs, Energy Yield Assessment, layouts, and connection interfaces.
• ECSA registration as a Candidate is required; however, preference is given to candidates that are already Professionally registered with ECSA.

KEY COMPETENCIES AND GENERIC SKILLS:

• Minimum 3-6 years of postgraduate experience, preferably in the wind and solar industry.
• Ability to work within a team of engineers.
• Good communication skills
• Good technical report writing skills
• Ability to manage time, quality and effort in order to deliver a quality product within time and cost constraints.
• Ability to coordinate and manage projects
• Ability to work under pressure
• Must be able to function independently

Additional Information

What's in it for you?

What if we can have work-life balance? What if we can be rewarded in ways that support our individual needs? What if we can be accepted for who we are? Here at WSP – we can!

WSP recognizes that work is only one part of our lives and making time for the other things in our life is important – be that our families, our friends or ourselves. So, if working from home, working part-time or having flexible start and finish time will help with this let us know as part of your application.