Senior Renewables Engineer - Midrand at WSP in Africa

Job Description

KEY ROLE:

WSP South Africa is looking for an experienced and passionate Senior Renewables Engineer who will function as a senior technical consultant for utility-scale (5MW+) Solar PV and Wind Energy projects in Southern Africa and also be able to support the international business as required.

Registration as a candidate engineer with ECSA to obtain a PrEng registration within 1-2 years is required; however, existing professional registration with ECSA is considered advantageous. Up to 50% of travel to clients, sites and manufacturers premises is envisaged. The role will require foreign travel, specifically travel within Africa.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:           

Technical (Approximately 70%):

• Managing high-quality quality technical advisory works.
• Project management and interfacing between engineering disciplines (mechanical, electrical, civil and control & instrumentation);
• Provide technical input from initial assessment through to technical and economic feasibility of the solar PV /Wind projects and integration with other electrical or generating plants as necessary.
• Review overall project design and suggest technical and design improvements.
• Preparation and management of technical specifications, bills of materials, tender stage management and evaluations, negotiation and selection of Balance of Plant, Operation & Maintenance or EPC, and other supply contracts.
• Technical reviews/negotiate key construction contracts for, and alongside, clients.
• Due diligence of solar PV projects and support Sponsor(s) and Lender(s) throughout the Financial Close process including technical liaison with legal and financial advisors.
• Risk management, including construction, operational, and financial risk as well as internal WSP risk management.
• Assessing technical risks and proposing mitigation strategies to reduce risk exposure in project CAPEX, OPEX, and revenues.
• Monitoring project construction and acceptance including site visits and commissioning supervision; and
• Assist with and/or conduct any other necessary aspects of a project that fall within the discipline of the role.
• Mentor and supervise junior engineers including reviewing, checking, and approving the work output of junior engineers.

Business developer (Approximately 30%):

• Drive and participate in business development in defining and deploying the sales strategy, selecting target markets and clients, and in scoping and pricing of services, with particular focus on the South African and regional markets such as Namibia, Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
• Prepare and manage proposals for client projects such as Due Diligence, Technical Advisory Services, Owner’s Engineering, Lenders Technical Advisor, and other service offerings, and provide inputs for the WSP internal governance process.
• Manage existing and new customer relationships through efficient client and account management; and
• Attend internal and external meetings and represent WSP in a suitable fashion according to the company principles at all times. 
• Maintaining relationships with internal divisions, external contractors, and clients. 

Qualifications

• BSc Engineering (Elec or Mech) Degree or BTech Engineering (Elect or Mech)
• 7+ years’ experience in Solar PV technology with experience in Wind Technology considered very advantageous. A Mix of South African experience (REIPPP) and regional overseas experience is also preferred.
• In-depth knowledge and field expertise regarding solar PV/Wind Turbbine technologies including emerging technologies in the international renewable energy market.
• Technical advisory experience towards investors, project developers, and banks.
• Proven experience in business development.
• Knowledge of various solar PV applications (utility-scale, ground-mounted, building-mounted, fixed tilt, single-axis, and multi-axis tracking).
• International solar PV project development and delivery experience.
• Experience covering a range of solar PV plant lifecycle delivery (including feasibility and development engineering, construction monitoring, witnessing testing and commissioning activities, and operational monitoring/inspections)
• Knowledge of solar PV plant designs, Energy Yield Assessment, layouts, and connection interfaces. 
• ECSA registration as a Candidate is required; however, preference is given to candidates that are already Professionally registered with ECSA.

KEY COMPETENCIES AND GENERIC SKILLS:

• Minimum 7+ years’ experience in the renewable energy field. 
• Ability to work within a team of engineers. 
• Good communication skills. 
• Good technical report writing skills.
• Ability to manage time, quality, and effort in order to deliver a quality product within time and cost constraints.
• Ability to coordinate and manage projects.
• Ability to work under pressure. 
• Must be able to function independently.