Senior Project Engineer (PV)

Greenyellow South Africa; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 400,000 - 500,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in renewable energy is seeking a Senior Project Engineer to engage in the design and execution of solar PV projects ranging from 100kW to 50MW. This role requires a combination of technical proficiency and project management skills while guiding less experienced engineers and interacting with various stakeholders to ensure project success and compliance with industry standards.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years in engineering design of PV systems >100kW.
• Experience in mentoring junior engineers.
• Knowledge of hybrid systems and grid compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering design of grid-tied PV systems.
• Review EPC technical submissions and ensure compliance.
• Act as key technical point of contact with clients and stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Project Management

Communication

Problem Solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

PVsyst

AutoCAD

Helioscope

SketchUp

Job description

Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.

Job Summary:

The Senior Project Engineer is responsible for leading the engineering, technical design, and execution support of grid-tied and hybrid solar PV projects ranging from 100kW to 50MW. The role combines technical depth in system design and project implementation with strong project management capability. The individual will guide junior and mid-level engineers, interface with EPCs, clients, and internal stakeholders, and ensure delivery excellence across all project phases including feasibility, design, execution, commissioning, and handover. The role also contributes to company-level strategic objectives such as engineering standardization, CAPEX/OPEX optimization, and compliance with regulatory frameworks.

Key Responsibilities:

· Lead the engineering design of grid-tied and hybrid PV systems, including analysis, sizing, costing, and optimization of proposals.

· Review and validate EPC technical submissions, BOQs, loss assumptions, and yield guarantees.

· Ensure all designs meet local and international standards (SANS, NRS, IEC, RSA Grid Code).

· Perform site assessments, grid assessments, and detailed feasibility evaluations.

· Supervise the preparation of single-line diagrams, layout drawings, and technical documentation.

· Ensure engineering design integrates health, safety, and environmental (HSE) best practices.

· Act as technical lead across project lifecycles, supporting project managers during procurement and construction.

· Participate in contract and design meetings, offering technical insights and risk mitigation measures.

· Develop and maintain engineering risk registers throughout project stages.

· Support the development of detailed execution schedules and critical path analysis.

· Ensure engineering deliverables align with project budget, scope, and timelines.

· Facilitate technical closeout documentation and warranty support.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

· Act as a key technical point of contact with clients, EPCs, suppliers, and regulatory bodies.

· Provide defendable advice and recommendations to senior management and external partners.

· Facilitate technical clarifications, presentations, and FAT/SAT test witnessing as needed.

· Represent the company in technical forums and stakeholder meetings.

· Mentor and guide junior and mid-level engineers to grow technical capacity within the team.

· Delegate tasks and conduct quality reviews of work outputs.

· Develop standard operating procedures and design templates for future project use.

· Promote a culture of learning and continuous improvement in the engineering team.\

Operations support

· Assist Asset Management and O&M teams with fault diagnostics, underperformance issues, and component failures.

· Oversee performance testing and validation against PPA or PR guarantees.

· Support weather station commissioning, inverter troubleshooting, and system upgrades.

Technical Skills:

· Deep understanding of PV system design (DC & AC: 1500V, MV, LV).

· Knowledge of hybrid systems, genset integration, and BESS.

· Familiarity with grid integration and utility compliance (Eskom, Municipalities, NERSA).

· Tools: PVsyst, Helioscope, AutoCAD, SketchUp; additional PV/BESS tools advantageous.

· Strong project documentation and reporting ability.

· Competence in evaluating and deploying new engineering tools

Soft Skills:

· Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.

· Ability to work under pressure and manage competing deadlines.

· Exceptional written and verbal communication.

· Strategic thinker with attention to detail.

· High emotional intelligence and team collaboration.

Experience and Qualifications:

· Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (Honours or master’s advantageous).

· Minimum 3 years in engineering design and project implementation of PV systems >100kW.

· Minimum 3 years of experience in technical leadership or project management within EPC/IPP sector.

· Experience in mentoring or supervising junior engineers.

· Experience with PR testing, energy efficiency, and grid compliance is advantageous.

To Apply:

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Engineering and Information Technology

• Industries

  Renewable Energy Semiconductor Manufacturing

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at GreenYellow South Africa by 2x

Get notified about new Senior Project Engineer jobs in Johannesburg Metropolitan Area.

City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 3 weeks ago

INTERIM PROJECT MANAGER ? NON-PERFORMING LOANS

Sandton, Gauteng, South Africa 2 months ago

Johannesburg Metropolitan Area 5 days ago

Modderfontein, Gauteng, South Africa 3 days ago

City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 1 week ago

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 2 days ago

Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa 4 days ago

City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 2 hours ago

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 2 days ago

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 1 week ago

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa $2,500 - $3,000 1 week ago

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 1 month ago

We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.