Senior Renewable Energy Engineer

DNV; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Generous paid leave

Medical benefits

Pension and insurance plans

Housing and home security allowances

Professional and academic memberships

Gym and sports memberships

Car allowances

Job summary

DNV’s Renewables Advisory Africa team seeks a Senior Renewable Energy Engineer to lead advisory services for utility-scale wind, solar and energy storage projects. You’ll work with lenders, owners and regulators, delivering feasibility studies, due diligence and conceptual design tasks from a Cape Town base.

You will collaborate with a diverse MEA team, travel as needed, and contribute to advancing decarbonization across the region with rigorous engineering judgment and client-focused solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD in civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical or environmental engineering.
• 10+ years’ relevant work experience in renewables or energy advisory.
• Technical expertise in wind, solar, hydro and/or battery storage projects.
• Experience with Owner’s Engineering and site visits is advantageous.
• Excellent written and verbal English communications.

Responsibilities

• Deliver advisory services for utility-scale wind, solar and BESS projects as part of a team.
• Perform feasibility studies, technical due diligence and design reviews.
• Support bid preparation and business development activities as needed.
• Collaborate with MEA Renewables Advisory Team to share knowledge and improve services.
• Travel across South Africa and internationally as required.

Skills

English communications

Teamwork

Delivery & results

Networking

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD in civil engineering

Environmental/Electrical/Mechanical engineering focus

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

About Us

We are the independent expert in assurance and risk management. Driven by our purpose, to safeguard life, property, and the environment, we empower our customers and their stakeholders with facts and reliable insights so that critical decisions can be made with confidence.

About Us

We are the independent expert in assurance and risk management. Driven by our purpose, to safeguard life, property, and the environment, we empower our customers and their stakeholders with facts and reliable insights so that critical decisions can be made with confidence.

As a trusted voice for many of the world’s most successful organizations, we use our knowledge to advance safety and performance, set industry benchmarks, and inspire and invent solutions to tackle global transformations.

About Energy Systems

We help customers navigate the complex transition to a decarbonized and more sustainable energy future. We do this by assuring that energy systems work safely and effectively, using solutions that are increasingly digital. We also help industries and governments to navigate the many complex, interrelated transitions taking place globally and regionally, in the energy industry.

About The Role

Do you want to join the world’s leading energy consulting firm? Are you committed to addressing climate change? Do you enjoy collaborating with colleagues and clients, and thrive in a dynamic and respectful environment?

Then you may find the position of Senior Renewable Energy Engineer in the Renewables Advisory Africa division of the Energy Systems business unit, to be a great fit for you!

You’d be part of the Middle East & Africa (MEA) geographical unit. You will be working with diverse customers and colleagues along the region.

DNV’s MEA Renewables Advisory Team is growing quickly to meet the expanding demand for expert wind, solar, storage and hybrid energy advisory services in the region. We support utilities, regulators, developers, owners and lenders with feasibility studies, technical due diligence, conceptual design & procurement support, and independent technical advisory services for either owner, lender or offtaker/procurer/regulator.

In this role you will be involved in the delivery of primarily utility-scale wind, solar and BESS advisory related projects, as well as being part of an engineering team constantly evolving for developing/maintaining services for renewables projects.

Most of the work will be desk-based, however travel for site and customer visits will be required at times (estimated at 5% to 20% of your time, depending on the projects you are involved in).

Main Duties Will Include But Are Not Limited To

• Execute and/or manage advisory services for utility-scale wind, solar and BESS projects, mainly focused on civil, mechanical, electrical or environmental conceptual design tasks for lenders technical, independent and owners engineering roles.
• Type of tasks: report writing, technical reports analysis, structural calculations, civil or electrical design, owner’s engineering, presentations, site visits, construction supervision, R&D, courses, etc.
• Conduct contract reviews, grid connection or turbine supply agreement reviews, feasibility studies for utility-scale wind, BESS and solar projects, technology reviews, environmental ESDD, electrical or foundation reviews and other due diligence functions.
• Work with a team of experts to enhance our competences and processes, as well as constantly improving our services for wind, BESS and solar projects.
• Work most of your time on chargeable projects, but with some bid preparation and Customer business development support as necessary.
• Build an internal & external network to gain and share knowledge and opportunities.

What we offer

• We offer flexible work arrangements that help employees maintain a healthy balance between professional and personal life while staying productive.
• Generous paid leave including public holidays, annual leave, sick leave, maternity and paternity leave, moving house, exam leave, and family responsibility leave.
• Medical benefits such as health check-ups, eye tests, and hearing tests.
• Pension and insurance plans including private medical insurance.
• Additional perks like communication support, housing and home security allowances, professional and academic memberships, gym and sports memberships, and car allowances.

*Benefits may vary depending on role, employment type, tenure, or grade level. *

DNV is an Equal Opportunity Employer and gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants without regard to gender, religion, race, national or ethnic origin, cultural background, social group, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age or political opinion. Diversity is fundamental to our culture and we invite you to be part of this diversity.

About You

• Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD degree in civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical or environmental engineering.
• 10+ years’ relevant work experience.
• Technical expertise in the development of utility-scale Wind, Solar, Hydro and/or Battery Storage projects.
• Skills in Owner’s Engineering and past site experience would be an advantage.
• Professional registration an added plus, but not crucial.
• Experience must also include a working knowledge of civil or electrical engineering related regulations, codes and standards.
• Dynamic and enthusiastic team player - co-operates will with others, shares knowledge, experience and information, and supports others in pursuit of team goals. A good sense of humour and positive disposition are valuable.
• Delivery and Results - completes tasks in accordance with expectations and schedule and with strong attention to details, understanding task urgency; able to juggle and manage conflicting work priorities to ensure deadlines are met. Drives ideas to implementation and execution in a timely manner, is willing to periodically work longer hours when the situation demands it.
• Must have excellent written and verbal communications skills in English, including ability to write clear and detailed technical reports, presentations and emails.
• Analysis and judgement - quickly understands and analyses problems & complex issues, provides sound and rational judgements. Demonstrates methodical and systematic approach, plans ahead and prioritises tasks effectively.
• Networking - builds good personal and professional relationships. Experience of building long-term client relationships.
• Work ethic - identifies with the Company’s principles, vision and values.
• Inquisitive – we are looking for nimble-minds that have an adventurous outlook on life! People that “put their hand up” and go the extra mile will be warmly received.
• Communicates and influences in a clear, open, active and honest manner (verbal and written) and seeks understanding of other views.
• Proven ability to produce clear written reports and communicate verbally in English.
• Good IT skills, and experienced in using MS Office suite packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Willingness to travel across the country and internationally.
• Demonstrates continuous improvement.
• Primarily office based, however with sporadic travel to local South African or Internation sites or DNV offices.

Desirable Qualifications Include

• Extensive experience in the renewable energy sector in Africa, specifically design of wind, solar PV, hydro and BESS. Preference given for past consulting exposure.
• Skills in AI programming of Agents, technological development and an interest in digitalisation.
• Experience performing construction monitoring or supervision (civil, electrical and/or structural works).
• Root Cause Analysis (RCAs) for civil, electrical and/or structural works.
• Experience in Technical Due Diligence processes will be plus. This may include but is not limited to: electrical design, mechanical design or turbine inspections, site assessment, ground conditions, hydrology, civil design, structures, contracts review, scheduling or environmental site auditing of renewable energy projects.
• Skills in past design (electrical, mechanical or civil) of renewable energy facilities in South Africa.

The project work is often fast-paced with tight timeframes. The candidate must be willing to work with complex tasks under such deadline pressure and be comfortable in managing workflow to deliver work on time (working with line manager and other team members to cross allocate work to avoid overloading).

Most work tasks will result in written reports to clients and day to day communication with clients if often by email. Good written English skills are essential.

The role will involve on the job training as well as other training internally or externally. The candidate will be expected to demonstrate initiative and self-motivation. Support, mentoring and training, as appropriate, will be provided by principal team members.

Role Location

This role will be based in Cape Town, South Africa.

There are no direct reports, however, may be in the future.

Pre-agreed authorisation levels for contracts, purchases and other commitments will be standard according to staff grade.

Security and compliance with statutory requirements in the countries in which we operate is essential for DNV. Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates as part of the offer process, in accordance with applicable country-specific laws and practices.