Job Description The Engineering Manager’s job is mainly to lead and manage the design team in South Africa, taking the initial system concept designs and translate them into fully detailed construction-ready designs. Assist the project management team and provide corporate business assurance for all matters about photovoltaic (PV) system engineering and technology.
Team Leadership and Stakeholder Management
- Lead and build the engineering and technology team while addressing business requirements for assets at various stages and for M&A opportunities.
- Develop, execute, and uphold team management processes to ensure everything is delivered to schedule and budget, guidelines, and standards.
- Assist Customers and Business Development teams by comprehending their needs and providing customised solutions to enhance business success.
Technical Design Knowledge and Project Management
- Provide hands-on technical support for design reviews of pre-construction and construction projects, including AS-BUILT designs.
- Stay current with PV technologies, contributing to equipment specification and selection. Assess technology risks and opportunities at corporate and project levels, emphasising expertise in compliance with grid codes and operator requirements for LV/MV/HV systems.
- Conduct Energy Yield Assessments for complex terrains using simulation software like PVSyst.
- Lead key equipment reviews, defining requirements in tender packages, reviewing agreements, and participating in negotiations.
- Review project designs for site suitability, optimising for a safe and reliable operational life, aligning with guidelines and international standards.
- Support Project Management during construction phases, executing QA/QC protocols, conducting factory acceptance testing, site inspections, and End of Warranty inspections.
- Conduct site visits for new projects, generating PV layouts/SLD’s on AutoCAD following international guidelines.
- Create and maintain tools for evaluating DEVEX, CAPEX, and OPEX assumptions.
Perform Compliance and Quality Control
- Contribute to pre-construction by defining contractor obligations, requirements, and technical specs.
- Review agreements and lead EPC technical appendices development.
- Technical design and review of PV plant equipment, interpreting technical studies, and specifying PV modules, inverters, BESS, LV/MV/HV equipment (switchgear, transformers, cables, protection equipment), tracking PV systems, and monitoring systems.
- Maintain continuous technical discussions with suppliers, exploring project solutions, alternatives, and optimising electrical infrastructures.
- Expert in simulating PV system performance, conducting detailed operational assessments, and proficient in P50 and P90 probability analysis, uncertainties calculation.
Requirements
- University degree in Electrical Engineering.
- 8+ years demonstrated experience in the solar industry, at least 03 years in a managerial position with a background in technical consulting, EPC or Asset Management.
- Experience of working in a multinational, multi-segment, environment with matrix reporting.
- Awareness of cultural differences and varying legal/regulatory environments.
- Expert command of PVSYST –– SOLARGIS –– AUTOCAD, SKETCHUP, PVCase, HOMER Software to do modelling, design, analysis, optimization, monitoring, control, and automation for PV and BESS systems.
- Strong knowledge of electrical systems (LV/MV/HV, protection logic and termination) and structural design components and solar equipment manufacturers.
- Knowledge of local authority requirements and regulations with local grid operators, National Electrical Code and International standards.
Benefits
21 working days of annual paid vacation.
Private Health Care as per South Africa policy for the employee and dependents (provided the dependents are not already covered through the spouse’s insurance).
Regulatory other leaves & social contributions (Any employee contributions plus taxes will be paid by the employee and the employer contributions will be paid by the employer).
Reimbursement for business expenses and travel costs as per company expense policy.
Computer and other necessary business tools, not including a phone.
Requirements Experience of working in a multinational, multi-segment, environment with matrix reporting. Awareness of cultural differences and varying legal/regulatory environments. Expert command of PVSYST –– SOLARGIS –– AUTOCAD, SKETCHUP, PVCase, HOMER Software to do modelling, design, analysis, optimization, monitoring, control, and automation for PV and BESS systems. Strong knowledge of electrical systems (LV/MV/HV, protection logic and termination) and structural design components and solar equipment manufacturers.
