Senior Project Engineer at Solar Capital (Pty) Ltd

Job description

• The Senior Project Engineer will be responsible for the technical aspects of cost-efficient utility scale Solar PV projects; from new business venture concepts through to assistance with plant's operational incidents and optimisation.
• The main responsibility for this role is to provide ongoing and active technical support to the Operational division and to assist the Business Development division during tenders with concept engineering and development of successful bids. This will include, but is not limited to;
• Perform engineering analysis and simulations, and provide technical guidance for the entire project cycle, including the realization, design, implementation, and operations phases of projects.
• Liaise with and manage external advisors, development partners, planning related service providers, technical consultants, manufacturers, subcontractors, surveyors, clients, landowners, grid operators, electric utilities, and other involved stakeholders.
• Assure the control and availability of input data and technical interface data necessary for development, construction and operation of the project.
• Undertake engineering analyses and forming an informed opinion of projects including technology and contractor review and comparison, ensuring delivery of the lowest LCOE.
• Ensure engineering due diligence to check and validate the quality of studies, reports and any other externally provided technical documents and designs. Coordinate and manage external technical contributors.
• Liaise with project stakeholders and responsible contractors to coordinate design requirements, studies, scheduling, deadlines and target service level for each task type.
• Perform overall planning of any in-depth project technical activities, internally and with external engineering resources, in order to ensure the on time delivery of the project phase and a proactive notification to stakeholders in case of expected delays and mitigation thereof.
• Identify, troubleshoot and propose solutions to any technical issue, shortcoming, non-conformity or defect encountered, either electrically, mechanically, regarding civil works or with materials, and working with all relevant stakeholders to establish the most appropriate technical solutions.
• Programme, oversee and document project design reviews in order to provide an analysis of the project design’s technical consistency, correspondence to the project’s economic and scheduling objectives, and applicable legislation and regulations for the plant’s operation.
• Input into methodologies appropriate to each project phase, and evaluation and development of procedures and specification for all technical aspects of projects.
• Contribute to the objective in securing projects for the Company, both locally and international, and therefore, this role will require some travel from time to time.

Qualifications

• Electrical / Electro-Mechanical Engineering degree with strong academic track record. Professional Engineering certification advantageous but not mandatory.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in design, development or construction of embedded generation facilities, renewables and photovoltaic systems preferred
• Experience and knowledge of national utility grid networks and interfacing
• Use of AutoCAD, PVSyst and any other industry databased and tools used for design and modelling essential.
• Experience in international utility scale photovoltaic systems advantageous.
• Experience with substation, grid connection and interconnection works preferred.
• Experience in construction activities – engineering support, specification and schedule monitoring, testing and commissioning
• Programming experience beneficial, Excellent MS Office skills a requirement.
• Experience in developing new business with a strong ability to interact with clients and organization in related industry (either in a development or technical role)

Characteristics

• Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Strong ownership skills.
• Strong problem solving, creative thinking and good communication skills on different levels.
• Holistic, process and product oriented with practical orientation.
• Quick learner, team player, pro-active.