Senior Engineer - Renewable Energy

Engineered Sourcing; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 50,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Engineer to provide critical support to various teams within the renewable energy sector. This role involves detailed analysis of electrical engineering designs, project management, and ensuring compliance with safety and operational standards. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in electrical engineering, with experience in managing projects and teams effectively. Join a forward-thinking company that values innovation and offers a dynamic work environment where your contributions can make a significant impact on sustainable energy solutions.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years in engineering design or project management in renewable energy.
• Strong skills in managing budgets and team dynamics.
• Experience with electrical engineering standards and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Provide engineering support across multiple teams and projects.
• Conduct detailed analysis of electrical engineering designs.
• Manage construction and installation activities to ensure compliance.

Skills

Electrical Engineering

Project Management

Budget Management

Team Management

AutoCAD

HSE Compliance

Education

BEng or BSc in Electrical Engineering

BEng or BSc in Mechatronic Engineering

BEng or BSc in Electronic Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

PV*Syst

Wind*Syst

Homer

Job description

The Senior Engineer will provide engineering support to the Asset Management team, Construction Management team, Investment and Funding team, and Project Development team.

General

• Detailed analysis of electrical engineering LV (LV ≤ 1 000 V), MV (MV ≤ 33 kV), and HV (132kV) design drawings (equipment, substation bay layouts and configurations, power line clearances and insulation)
• Analysis of electrical schematic drawings and single line diagrams
• Cost evaluation of electrical engineering scope of work, including equipment and construction costs
• Management of switchgear, transformer, AC breaker, and specialist equipment manufacturers and/or suppliers (verification of specification conformance and factory acceptance testing)
• Coordination/oversight of manufacturing, construction, installation, maintenance support, documentation, and testing activities to ensure compliance with specifications, codes, regulatory, and customer requirements
• HSE assessment and HSE audit close-out
• EPC related warranty issues and close-out of the EPC contract obligations
• Facilitating mark-ups on project construction and as-built drawings
• Reporting to project stakeholders
• Operate computer-assisted engineering and design software and equipment to perform engineering tasks (AutoCAD, PV*Syst, Wind*Syst optional, Homer optional)
• Perform detailed calculations to compute and establish construction and installation standards and specifications
• Inspect completed installations and observe operations to ensure conformance to design and equipment specifications and compliance with operational and safety standards
• Prepare specifications for purchase of materials and equipment
• Develop budgets, estimating labour, material, and construction costs
• Compile data and write reports regarding existing and potential engineering studies and projects
• Collect data relating to commercial and residential development, population, and power system interconnection to determine operating efficiency of electrical systems
• Collect field surveys and study maps, graphs, diagrams, and other data to identify and correct system problems

Operations

• Review of operations and maintenance reports and data from the operator
• Recommend improvements of preventative and corrective maintenance and make recommendations of predictive maintenance
• Review of expert engineering reports and data from external service providers
• Plant/asset performance supervision - ensuring that the plant performs according to the PPA and the relevant contractual performance ratios
• Integrate condition monitoring and optimization - improving generation and revenue as a consequence
• Asset performance monitoring and reporting
• Oversight/management of O&M provider (and other contractors) - ensuring that the O&M contractor performs all the technical work and maintenance as per the O&M Schedule and manual and ensuring sufficient technical O&M reporting
• Warranty administration - liaising with the EPC contractor daily regarding open and closed warranty claim notifications and ensuring that the EPC executes and resolves all warranty claims, ensuring that O&M and newly constructed or installed equipment or facility manufacturer warranty requirements are adhered to and not overlooked
• Plant commissioning - ensuring that all systems and components of the plant are designed, installed, tested, operated, and maintained according to the operations requirements
• Technical risk mitigation in accordance with the SANS standards and applicable electrical standards during the implementation of engineering retrofits, engineering changes, and plant optimization activities
• Technical recommendations to ensure safety, maintenance, and operability practices and efficient utilization of system space and equipment spacing
• Quality audits/inspections - aimed at checking, measuring, or testing product or component characteristics and relating results to requirements to confirm compliance
• Re-powering and upgrades - ensuring all necessary upgrades are done to the satisfaction of the Sponsors and Lenders, with all reporting completed
• Monitoring install/retrofit - ensuring all installation or retrofitting of equipment by contractors is within standards and does not hinder plant performance
• As-built design documentation - ensuring all As-Built drawings are current and available for O&M use and other contractors
• Plant design review - ensuring new designs comply with international standards and meet sponsor and lender requirements
• Grid code compliance - ensuring full compliance with South African grid code and necessary studies
• Harmonic and fault level studies - overseeing studies and tests to ensure compliance with Grid Code and Power Quality Guidelines

Engineering and Construction

• Technical review of designs, equipment sizing, drawings, specifications, data sheets, and other design work for client inspections
• Review of engineering progress and deliverables
• Design review meetings with Owner's Engineer and Lender's Technical Advisor
• Review of approved construction procedures, engineering documents, and method statements
• Tracking engineering activities on-site, correcting errors, revising drawings, and maintaining ‘As-built' documentation
• Tracking change requests, testing, and defect resolution
• Approval of the EPC final dossier
• Construction management for solar and wind farms
• Technical reviews and due diligence during development
• Technical advice and assistance to project development
• Assisting in scope of work for Owner's Technical Specification
• Supporting technical due diligence, including review of project documents and reports
• Assisting in drafting EPC and O&M contracts and Heads of Terms
• Supporting procurement processes, stakeholder engagement, and tender management

Technical Advice and Assistance to Project Development

• Supporting scope of work for Owner's Technical Specification
• Supporting technical due diligence and review of project documents
• Assisting in drafting EPC and O&M contracts and Heads of Terms
• Supporting procurement and tender processes

Requirements

• BEng or BSc (Eng.) in Electrical, Mechatronic, or Electronic Engineering (other streams can be motivated)
• 5 - 7 years' experience in engineering design and/or project management, preferably within the renewable energy industry
• Ability to work across multiple work streams, projects, and contracts
• People and team management skills
• Experience with relevant programs (AutoCAD, PV*Syst, Wind*Syst optional, Homer optional)
• Valid driver's license and own vehicle - site visits required
• Commercial competence, including budget and risk management