Job Description

Solar Energy / Energy Efficiency company is looking for a Senior Project Engineer to join their team.
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 100 kW to 50 MW. The role combines technical depth in system design and project implementation with strong project management capability.
Responsibilities:
Engineering & Design Oversight:

• 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.

Project Manager & Execution support:

• 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.

Mentorship & Development:

• 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.

Sales & Business Development Support:

• Provide technical support to the business development team during client prospecting.
• Assist in translating client requirements into feasible and optimized technical solutions.
• Contribute to proposal development, tender responses, and client presentations.
• Support commercial and sales teams with technical input to secure new opportunities.

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

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

100 kW. * 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.

For more information please contact:
Louise Leask