BESS Solutions Engineer at AltGen South Africa

Role Overview

• An international renewable energy company is seeking an experienced BESS Solutions Engineer to support the delivery of utility-scale Battery Energy Storage System projects in the South African market.
• This role sits at the interface of modelling, engineering, and commercial product teams. The successful candidate will help shape BESS solutions from pre-sales and tender-stage contract design through to contract finalisation and project execution, ensuring that each deployment is technically robust, commercially competitive, and compliant.

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 for BESS procurement and EPC tendering.
• Undertake functional and conceptual design activities to ensure systems meet functional, commercial, and compliance requirements.
• Conduct technology and contractor technical reviews for hybrid PV+BESS and standalone BESS projects.
• Assess compatibility, cost-effectiveness, and regulatory compliance of proposed BESS solutions.
• Review project contracts, warranties, and technical specifications.
• Ensure relevant BESS performance parameters are appropriately captured and contractually bound.
• Provide technical oversight during construction.
• Define and enforce quality hold-points for BESS installation.
• Review EPC contractor quality control plans and inspection and testing plans.
• Conduct or witness critical inspections relating to:
• Battery container integrity
• Thermal management systems
• Fire detection and suppression systems
• Electrical connections
• Earthing
• 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.

Requirements

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems, Energy Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Postgraduate qualification advantageous.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in energy storage or hybrid PV+BESS projects.
• 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
• Safety characteristics
• Understanding of grid codes, regulatory frameworks, and technical standards.
• Understanding of BESS/hybrid control systems.
• Experience drafting or contributing to Employer’s Requirements, 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.
• Ability to translate complex BESS engineering matters into clear language for commercial, legal, and financial stakeholders.
• Fluency in English.
• Willingness to travel.
• Full clean driving licence.

Desirable Experience

• Knowledge of BESS performance modelling and dispatch modelling tools.
• Familiarity with FIDIC contract frameworks, specifically Silver Book, and how technical requirements are embedded in EPC agreements.
• Knowledge of SCADA and OT environments.
• Experience supporting lender due diligence processes or interfacing with independent technical advisors on bankability assessments.
• Working knowledge of fire safety engineering for BESS, including:
• Off-gas detection technologies
• Suppression system design
• Emergency response planning