Junior Operations Engineer at AltGen South Africa

• A renewable energy company is seeking a Junior Operations Engineer to support the Operations function in a technical and analytical capacity.
• The successful candidate will assist with the development of centralised operational capabilities, including reporting, auditing, data collection, digital systems support, and maintenance management across renewable energy assets. The role also forms part of a shared services function supporting Operations and Maintenance (O&M) projects, integration of new power plants, and development of digital management systems.

Key Responsibilities
Performance Analysis & Reporting

• Complete performance and stakeholder reports.
• Complete compliance reports and support on-site teams with reporting requirements and training where required.
• Trigger investigations based on performance reports and support operational teams during investigations.
• Execute data analysis activities to support business decision-making.
• Develop dashboards, business systems, and reporting tools to convert operational data into actionable insights.
• Verify internal and contractual KPI reports.

Digital Systems & Technical Support

• Carry out maintenance activities across SCADA systems.
• Manage Eskom billing meter activities.
• Support the implementation of centralised data collection, monitoring, and reporting systems.
• Assist in developing performance analysis, event identification, and asset monitoring features within central monitoring platforms.
• Provide support on DCS/SCADA and other instrumentation and control systems across power plants.

Maintenance Management

• Maintain the CMMS system and support on-site operational teams.
• Ensure maintenance management systems remain updated with required plant maintenance tasks.
• Support the development and maintenance of systems relating to BOP spare parts management.
• Assist with the integration of new power plants into organisational maintenance standards.
• Support rollout and integration of central maintenance management systems.

General Operations & Business Support

Investigate and implement operational improvement projects where financially justifiable.

• Carry out operational data collection tasks.
• Support audit coordination, data gathering, and audit close-out activities.
• Execute recurring centrally managed operational and maintenance activities.
• Track high-priority operational projects and develop reporting systems for business visibility.
• Assist with ad-hoc Operations and Maintenance projects.
• Perform additional work-related activities as delegated by management.

Minimum Requirements

• BEng or BSc in Engineering or equivalent NQF qualification.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a corporate environment, or 2 years’ experience within the renewable energy sector.
• Experience in renewable energy power plant operations or field maintenance preferred.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office, including:
• Outlook
• Excel
• Word
• PowerPoint
• Valid Code B driver’s licence.
• Advantageous Experience
• Previous project management or coordination experience.
• Experience with ERP/CMMS systems such as:
• SAP
• RGC
• Oracle NetSuite
• Knowledge of network data communications and hardware/software architectures.
• Experience with Python or similar programming languages.
• Experience working with OSIsoft PI systems or similar performance analysis and portfolio data historian platforms.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• High learning agility and technical curiosity.
• Strong troubleshooting and analytical capability.
• Ability to interpret process charts, schematics, and single-line diagrams.
• Strong team collaboration skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with limited supervision.