Solutions Engineer

Altgen South Africa; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

AltGen South Africa is seeking a Pre-Sales Engineer – Site Survey, Design and Estimation to turn client requirements into practical designs and accurate project budgets. You will visit client sites across South Africa, assess electrical supply, design EV charging and solar storage systems, and prepare scopes of work and budgets.

You will engage with clients, present solutions and support new business development, working with Sales, Operations and approved electrical contractors.

Qualifications

• Recognised electrical qualification: trade-tested electrician, N6, National Diploma in Electrical Engineering or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Site surveys at depots, warehouses and commercial sites; assess electrical supply and capacity.
• Design EV charger layouts and electrical reticulation for AC/DC charging.
• Prepare scopes of work, bills of quantities and project budgets.
• Develop installation programmes and Gantt charts.
• Present designs and proposals to clients and support sales efforts.

Skills

Electrical design

Client engagement

Budgeting

Gantt charts

PowerPoint

Education

Trade-tested electrician / National Diploma in Electrical Engineering

Certification in Safe Working practices

Tools

AutoCAD

PVsyst

Helioscope

Microsoft Excel

Job description

PRE-SALES ENGINEER – SITE SURVEY, DESIGN AND ESTIMATION

Location: Midrand, Gauteng, with regular travel to client sites across South Africa

Employment type: Full-time, permanent

Remuneration: Market-related, depending on qualifications and experience

Reports to: Sales Manager

ABOUT THE ROLE

You will turn client requirements into practical designs and accurate project budgets. This includes visiting client sites, assessing electrical supply, designing EV charging infrastructure and associated solar PV and battery storage systems, and preparing scopes of work, bills of quantities, budgets and installation programmes.

You will also engage directly with clients, present solutions and support new business development. You will work closely with Sales, Operations, Support and approved electrical contractors. Installation management sits with the delivery team and contractors.

The role is divided approximately as follows:

• Site surveys: 30%
• Design: 30%
• Estimation and proposals: 20%
• Sales: 20%

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Site surveys

• Conduct surveys at depots, warehouses and commercial sites, including main distribution boards with incomers of 1,000 A or more
• Install and retrieve data loggers in three-phase distribution boards to record site load profiles
• Take live measurements, assess available electrical supply and capacity, and review utility bills, notified maximum demand and existing loads
• Record board layouts, cable routes, trenching, civil works and mounting requirements using clear photographs and notes
• Identify site risks, constraints, supply upgrades and Eskom or municipal requirements
• Coordinate with specialist third parties where inspections of existing step-up or step-down transformers are required

Design

• Read and interpret existing single-line diagrams and engineering drawings
• Design EV charger layouts and electrical reticulation for AC and DC charging
• Produce single-line diagrams, cable sizing, protection selection and earthing requirements
• Design and size solar PV and battery storage systems, including AE Power Box battery solution
• Ensure designs comply with SANS 10142-1, SANS 10142-1-2 and supply authority requirements

Estimation and proposals

• Prepare scopes of work, bills of quantities and project budgets
• Develop Gantt charts showing installation programmes
• Obtain and compare quotations from suppliers and electrical contractors
• Prepare technical content for proposals and tenders
• Create clear client presentations in PowerPoint
• Hand successful projects over to the delivery team with complete designs, scopes, budgets and programmes

Sales and client engagement

• Make outbound calls and follow up on leads, enquiries, emails and proposals
• Present designs and proposals to clients and answer technical questions
• Support the Sales Manager with site walks, demonstrations and client meetings
• Keep CRM and project systems up to date

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

• A recognised electrical qualification: trade-tested electrician, N6, National Diploma in Electrical Engineering or equivalent
• At least 2 years’ hands‑on experience in electrical installation, design or estimating within a commercial or industrial environment
• Safe working certification and proven experience working safely in live three-phase LV distribution boards, including large warehouse and industrial main boards with incomers of 1,000 A or more
• Competence in safe isolation, lockout procedures, testing with multimeters and clamp meters, and installing data loggers in distribution boards
• Ability to read and interpret single-line diagrams and engineering drawings
• Working knowledge of SANS 10142‑1, the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Electrical Installation Regulations
• Strong Excel, Word and PowerPoint skills, including preparing bills of quantities, project budgets and Gantt charts
• Confident English communication skills and the ability to engage directly with clients, from site managers to fleet directors
• A valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel across South Africa
• Residence within a reasonable commuting distance of Midrand

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Wireman’s licence as an Installation Electrician or Master Installation Electrician, with the ability to issue a Certificate of Compliance
• Solar PV and battery storage design experience
• Knowledge of SANS 10142-1-2 and NRS 097-2
• Experience with AC and DC EV charging, load management or high-power commercial installations
• Proficiency in AutoCAD or QCAD
• Familiarity with PV design tools such as PVsyst or Helioscope
• Sales, estimating or client-facing experience

PERSONAL QUALITIES

• A strong commitment to safety and following correct site procedures
• Accuracy, organisation and attention to detail
• Confidence making calls and speaking with new contacts
• A practical approach to solving site challenges
• Willingness to learn and grow with a young, ambitious company

HOW SUCCESS IS MEASURED

• Survey reports and draft designs issued within 3 working days of site visits
• Scopes of work, bills of quantities, budgets and Gantt charts issued within 5 working days of surveys
• Final installed costs within 10% of project budgets
• An increasing proportion of surveyed sites converting into signed orders
• Achievement of agreed weekly targets for calls, follow-ups and new site surveys
• Zero safety incidents and full compliance on every site visit

WHAT WE OFFER

• A key role in one of South Africa’s leading fleet electrification businesses
• Exposure to large EV charging, solar PV and battery storage projects across various industries
• Training on charger partners’ hardware and design and estimation tools
• A small, flat team where your contribution is visible and makes a difference