BESS Engineer at AltGen South Africa

Position Overview

• An established renewable energy company is seeking an experienced BESS Engineer to support the delivery of utility-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects.
• This role sits at the interface of the modelling, engineering and commercial product teams. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping BESS solutions from pre-sales and tender stage contract design through to contract finalisation and project execution, ensuring the technical robustness and commercial competitiveness of BESS deployments.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the BESS Project Lead by working closely with OEMs and project stakeholders to ensure the integrated solution is correctly designed, built, tested, commissioned and operated.
• Develop and maintain technical Employer’s Requirements (ERs) for BESS procurement and EPC tendering, including functional and conceptual design activities to ensure the system meets functional, commercial and compliance requirements.
• Undertake technology and contractor technical reviews for hybrid PV+BESS and standalone BESS projects, ensuring compatibility, cost-effectiveness and regulatory compliance.
• Review project contracts, warranties and technical specifications to ensure relevant BESS performance parameters are appropriately captured contractually.
• Provide technical oversight during construction, including defining and enforcing quality hold points for BESS installation and reviewing EPC contractors’ quality control plans and inspection and testing plans.
• Conduct or witness critical inspections of battery container integrity, thermal management systems, fire detection and suppression systems, electrical connections and earthing during procurement and construction.
• Manage internal and third-party technical due diligence workstreams.
• Support the commercial team during technical negotiations and contract finalisation for EPC, procurement and PPA negotiations.
• Contribute to ongoing solution and product development initiatives.
• Drive the development of in-house standards relating to standalone and hybrid BESS.

Qualifications, Knowledge & Experience

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems, Energy Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Postgraduate qualification is advantageous.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in energy storage or hybrid PV+BESS projects, with demonstrable involvement across multiple project lifecycle stages including design, procurement, construction and commissioning.
• Strong working knowledge of lithium-ion battery technology fundamentals, including cell chemistry, degradation mechanisms, thermal behaviour and safety characteristics.
• Understanding of grid codes, regulatory frameworks and technical standards.
• Understanding of BESS and hybrid control systems.
• Experience drafting or contributing to Employer’s Requirements (ERs), technical specifications or scope of work documents for BESS procurement or EPC contracts.
• Previous experience in technical due diligence, design or practical integration testing of BESS.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to translate complex BESS engineering concepts for commercial, legal and financial stakeholders.
• Fluency in English.
• Willingness to travel.
• Full clean driver’s licence.

Desirable

• Knowledge of BESS performance modelling and dispatch modelling tools.
• Familiarity with FIDIC contract frameworks, particularly the Silver Book, and how technical requirements are incorporated into EPC agreements.
• Knowledge of SCADA and OT environments.
• Experience supporting lender due diligence processes or working with independent technical advisors on bankability assessments.
• Working knowledge of fire safety engineering for BESS, including off-gas detection technologies, suppression system design and emergency response planning.