Senior Renewable Energy Systems Engineer — Prototyping & Testing

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Professional development opportunities

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Annual salary reviews

Job summary

Placements24 in Nelspruit is seeking a Senior Research Engineer to design, prototype, test, and optimize advanced renewable energy systems. You will lead experimental work, analyze data from energy platforms, and drive performance improvements.

The role requires a strong background in mechanical or electrical engineering with energy systems specialization, plus collaboration across scientific and engineering teams. Safety and rigorous documentation are essential.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field with a specialization in energy systems.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant research and development experience in renewable energy technologies (solar, wind, battery storage, etc.).
• Proven experience in system design, prototyping, and experimental testing.
• Strong understanding of thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, power electronics, or control systems relevant to energy applications.
• Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink and ANSYS Fluent, and data analysis tools.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to document research effectively.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Experience with project management is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop prototypes for new renewable energy systems and components.
• Conduct experimental testing and performance evaluation of energy systems.
• Analyze large datasets from system operation to identify areas for improvement and optimization.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers.
• Develop and implement control strategies for renewable energy systems.
• Research and evaluate emerging technologies in the renewable energy sector.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, research papers, and presentations.
• Ensure adherence to safety protocols and best practices in the laboratory and field testing.
• Contribute to project management, including planning, scheduling, and resource allocation.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in renewable energy technologies and related fields.

Skills

Renewable energy systems

Data analysis

System design

Experimentation

Project management

Written/Verbal communication

Team collaboration

Education

Master's or PhD in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering (energy systems)

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

ANSYS Fluent

Data analysis tools

Job description

Placements24 in Nelspruit is seeking a Senior Research Engineer to design, prototype, test, and optimize advanced renewable energy systems. You will lead experimental work, analyze data from energy platforms, and drive performance improvements.

The role requires a strong background in mechanical or electrical engineering with energy systems specialization, plus collaboration across scientific and engineering teams. Safety and rigorous documentation are essential.