Senior Electrical Engineer

The role of the Senior Electrical Engineer will be to assist SolarAfrica’s engineering team in their specific support functions to Sales, Project Delivery and Operations and Maintenance departments. This includes managing engineer(s), engineering design and engineering design reviews, review and development of technical standards and procedures, review technical issues and providing recommendations, identifying and documenting lessons learnt, knowledge transfer, acquiring/managing resources and coordinating the efforts of team members and contractors to deliver high-quality projects according to plan and specifications.

The successful candidate must demonstrate great attention to detail, excellent management skills, and multi-tasking abilities. Furthermore, the position would require technical knowledge and experience in the Solar PV and BESS industry and continuous product research and testing to ensure the execution of projects using relevant and up-to-date technology, improving systems based on lessons learned.

Existing sites range from 50kWp+, with new sites ranging from 1000kWp and include utility scale projects. Occasional overtime may be required to meet critical deadlines, however a flexible work policy is relevant. The candidate should be willing to travel within South Africa and other African countries on an adhoc basis.

Position of the job in the organisation: The successful candidate will report directly to the Engineering Manager.

Principal responsibilities:

• Team management for team members.
• Build, design, and grow any business relationships vital to the success of the engineering department.
• Engineering lead/support on all adhoc company projects (i.e., development of new monitoring system/portal)
• Draft, update and/or review and ensure adherence to SolarAfrica’s technical standards, requirements, and processes, incorporating lessons learnt to mitigate risks and ensure compliance.
• Actively review and assist with updating technical processes to ensure we deliver and manage world-class solar PV systems that meet the funders and all legal requirements.
• Conduct engineering due diligence across projects, suppliers, and new financed products to ensure technical viability and compliance
• Provide engineering support across departments including project development, sales, and business development.
• Ensure SolarAfrica technical processes are followed by Contractors and all related documentation submitted and filed away for future reference.
• Design to legal & SolarAfrica standards & sign off.
• Develop, review and vet project designs, drawings, simulations, the scope of Works (SOW), Bill of Quantities (BOQ), project proposals, full-scale project plans, schedule, and associated communications documents.
• Use solar specific software to assist with project drawings, designs, and yield reports.
• Conduct engineering “lessons learned” meetings and create a recommendations report identifying successful and unsuccessful project elements.
• Perform commissioning checks on-site with contractors to ensure the system has been delivered according to predefined parameters and specifications to SolarAfrica standards.
• Review and approve changes in project scope and all milestone documentation from an engineering compliance perspective, while identifying potential risks and devising contingency plans.
• Provide technical assistance for troubleshooting.
• Initial project feasibility
• Performing site assessments to identify project-specific constraints and provide feedback in a formal report.
• Analyse energy consumption from end-user electricity bills, logged data, consumption patterns and other load parameters.
• Any other job duties associated with this role 

Experience and qualifications:

• Over 5 years of proven experience in the design of Solar PV sites of 1MW and above (including utility-scale projects), as well as BESS systems of 500kWh or higher.
• Experience in supporting the implementation and operations of Solar PV sites 1MW (including utility scale sites) and higher and BESS 500kWh or higher
• Good understanding of solar PV and related technologies. 7+ years of proven electrical engineering experience,
• BEng/ BSc or BTech degree in Electrical Engineering or higher
• 4 or more years of experience managing a team.
• Valid driver's license and willing to travel
• Must have the ability to interpret and create technical drawings using CAD.
• Must be able to work to strict deadlines & budgets.
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, PVSyst, Helioscope, AutoCAD electrical.

Specific attributes:

• Experience in working both independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment is essential.
• Comfortable working at heights to conduct site assessments.
• Can conform to shifting priorities, demands and timelines through analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Flexible during times of change.
• Ability to elicit cooperation from various sources, including upper management, customers, and other departments.
• Practical prioritising and executing tasks in a high-pressure environment are crucial.
• You must demonstrate good attention to detail, sound judgment, logical decision-making, and a hands-on approach.
• Must be able to lead and manage a growing team and show accountability for the team.

Desirable attributes:

• Understanding Networking equipment and industrial communication protocols like Modbus, RS485, Ethernet, etc.
• Knowledge of SANS 10142 and NRS 097-2 standards, specifically reference embedded generation.
• Knowledge of 1000V and 1500V DC systems.
• Knowledge of surge protection and grounding systems.
• Experience using PVSyst or equivalent simulation packages.
• Professional registration with ECSA or willingness to obtain registration within the first year of working. 

What Does Success Look Like?

By month 3: 

• I will have a clear understanding of all engineering and technical design processes and be able to implement them effectively.
• I will have established strong relationships with the engineering team and understand roles and responsibilities
• I will have initiated and nurtured key business relationships crucial for the engineering department's success.
• I will have actively contributed as an engineering lead/support on adhoc company projects, demonstrating my ability to drive initiatives forward.
• I will have reviewed SolarAfrica's technical requirements and begun assisting with updates to ensure compliance with standards and legal obligations.
• I will have conducted initial technical due diligence for projects and suppliers, either independently or with support from other departments.

By month 6:

• I will have successfully contributed to the development and growth of SolarAfrica's technical processes, ensuring the delivery of world-class solar PV systems that meet all requirements.
• I will have successfully completed and reviewed technical designs and drafted engineering packs to the required standard.
• I will have expanded my involvement in project development and sales, providing valuable engineering insights and support to these departments.
• I will have implemented efficient procedures for ensuring contractor compliance with SolarAfrica's technical processes, including thorough documentation management.
• I will have gained proficiency in solar-specific software for project design and analysis, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of our engineering endeavors.

By Month 12:

• I will have played a key role in shaping SolarAfrica's technical standards and guidelines, ensuring they align with industry best practices and regulatory requirements.
• I will have conducted comprehensive engineering due diligence on all new financed products developed by SolarAfrica, safeguarding the company's investments and reputation.
• I will have conducted thorough project feasibility assessments and site evaluations, providing valuable insights to inform decision-making and mitigate risks.
• I will have established myself as a go-to resource for technical assistance and troubleshooting, contributing to the smooth operation and success of projects throughout their lifecycle.

Core Values:

We hire, reward, and recognise our team against these values. It is imperative that you believe in these values and demonstrate them consistently.

• We are passionate and proud of what we do.
• We communicate candidly, especially when it is difficult.
• We take the initiative, share our mistakes, and grow together.
• We are dependable and take accountability.
• No one person is bigger than the solution - no egos.