Junior Electrical Design Engineer (Wind, Solar PV, BESS & MV/HV Grid Works)

Job Summary

We are seeking a motivated Junior Electrical Design Engineer to join our electrical design team and contribute to the design of our utility-scale renewable energy projects, including Solar PV, Wind, Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), substation, and MV/HV grid connection infrastructure.

Working within the design team and under the direction of senior electrical engineers, the successful candidate will prepare and review electrical designs across the project types listed. The role spans calculations and studies, single line diagrams, schematics, layouts, cable schedules, and specifications, and includes some draughting and drawing control. While the role involves drawing production and document control, it is principally a design role intended for an engineer who wants to build and grow a long-term career in the electrical design field.

This is a development position. The successful candidate will be supported and mentored by experienced engineers, will progressively take on more complex design scopes as their capability develops, and will be encouraged to work toward professional registration with ECSA. It offers a clear path of growth within the electrical design discipline.

Key Responsibilities

Electrical Design — Preparation and Review

• Prepare and review electrical designs for Solar PV, Wind, BESS, substation, and MV/HV grid connection projects, under the direction of senior engineers.
• Develop single line diagrams, schematics, general arrangement and layout drawings, and electrical detail designs.
• Prepare cable schedules, equipment schedules, and electrical specifications and datasheets.
• Support the design of LV, MV, and HV electrical systems, including reticulation, switchgear, transformers, and protection arrangements.
• Review designs and drawings for correctness, completeness, and compliance with project requirements before issue.
• Incorporate design review comments and revisions accurately and promptly.

Calculations and Studies

• Carry out electrical design calculations, including cable sizing, voltage drop, current-carrying capacity, and basic fault-level calculations.
• Support earthing and lightning protection design and associated calculations.
• Support power system studies (for example load flow, fault level, and protection coordination) under guidance, using relevant analysis software.
• Support PV system design activities, including string and inverter sizing and DC and AC reticulation design.
• Check and verify calculations and design outputs against applicable standards and project specifications.

Draughting and Drawing Control

• Produce and amend electrical drawings using CAD software (for example AutoCAD) to the required drawing standards.
• Maintain drawing registers and ensure proper revision and version control of design deliverables.
• Apply document control procedures so that drawings and design documents are correctly numbered, revised, issued, and recorded.
• Coordinate with draughtspersons and CAD technicians on the production of design drawings.

Design Coordination and Interfaces

• Coordinate electrical design inputs and outputs with other disciplines, including civil, mechanical, and structural design teams.
• Support interface management between the electrical design and equipment suppliers, contractors, and project teams.
• Assist in responding to technical queries, requests for information (RFIs), and site design queries.
• Support the preparation of design deliverables for client, owner's engineer, and utility review.

Standards and Compliance

• Apply applicable standards and codes in design work, including SANS, IEC, NRS, and the relevant grid code requirements.
• Ensure designs comply with project specifications, client requirements, and statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Keep up to date with relevant standards, design practices, and technology developments in the renewable energy sector.

Factory Acceptance Testing and Inspection Support

• Provide technical assistance in support of project Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs) for electrical equipment and systems, acting as a design representative where required.
• Attend Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) for electrical equipment, such as transformers, switchgear, inverters, and protection systems, verifying that equipment meets the design intent, specification, and applicable standards, including travel to supplier facilities where required.
• Witness designated critical hold and witness points in the ITPs, confirming that the works conform to the approved design before construction or the next activity proceeds.
• Record observations, raise design-related queries or non-conformances arising from FATs and inspections, and feed the outcomes back into the design and project teams.

Technical Support and Professional Development

• Provide electrical design support to projects during construction, procurement, and commissioning as required.
• Support the resolution of design-related issues raised during construction and commissioning.
• Develop technical knowledge and design capability through mentorship, training, and progressively more complex design work.
• Work toward professional registration with ECSA, with the support of the design team.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• A Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering (BEng or BSc Eng) is required for this role. Candidates must hold a degree.
• A minimum of 2 years of electrical design experience gained within a consulting or engineering design business that undertakes electrical design works.
• Practical experience preparing and reviewing electrical designs, calculations, and drawings.
• Proficiency in CAD software (for example AutoCAD) for the production of electrical drawings.
• Working knowledge of electrical design principles across LV, MV, and HV systems.
• Knowledge of applicable standards, including SANS, IEC, and NRS, and an understanding of grid code requirements.
• Strong analytical and numerical ability and sound engineering judgement for the level of experience.
• Good computer literacy, including Microsoft Office and engineering design tools.
• Willingness to travel to supplier facilities and project sites to attend Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) and witness inspections as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Registration as a Candidate Engineer with ECSA, or eligibility to register, with the intention of working toward Professional Engineer registration.
• Exposure to utility-scale Solar PV, Wind, BESS, substation, or grid connection design projects.
• Experience or familiarity with power system analysis software (for example ETAP or DIgSILENT PowerFactory) and PV design software (for example PVsyst).
• Familiarity with earthing and lightning protection design and the relevant standards.
• An Honours degree or relevant postgraduate qualification in electrical or power engineering will be advantageous.
• Exposure to multidisciplinary design environments and document management systems.

Technical Competencies

• Electrical design for LV, MV, and HV systems.
• Solar PV electrical design, including string and inverter sizing and DC and AC reticulation.
• Cable sizing, voltage drop, and current-carrying-capacity calculations.
• Earthing and lightning protection design (developing).
• Basic protection and protection coordination (developing).
• Preparation of single line diagrams, schematics, and layout drawings.
• CAD draughting, drawing control, revision control, and document management.
• Use of power system analysis and PV design software (developing).
• Preparation of electrical specifications, datasheets, and schedules.
• Attendance at Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) and witnessing of critical ITP hold and witness points as a design representative.

Preferred Attributes

• Strong analytical, numerical, and problem-solving ability.
• High attention to detail and accuracy in design calculations and drawings.
• Genuine enthusiasm for electrical design and a desire to grow a long-term career in the design field.
• Well organised, with diligent drawing and document control discipline.
• Receptive to direction, feedback, and mentorship, and able to apply it.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to work effectively within a multidisciplinary design team.
• Committed to quality, accuracy, and continuous professional development.

Benefits

• Competitive market-related remuneration package.
• Performance-based incentive scheme.
• Medical aid and retirement fund contributions.
• Support toward professional registration with ECSA.
• Exposure to landmark utility-scale Solar PV, Wind, BESS, substation, and grid connection design projects.
• Clear career progression from Junior Electrical Design Engineer to Electrical Design Engineer, Senior Electrical Design Engineer, and Lead or Principal Electrical Engineer roles.

Dynamic, collaborative, and professional design environment.

Interested candidates should submit a detailed CV together with a cover letter outlining their qualifications, electrical design experience, the consulting or design environment in which it was gained, and their motivation for the role.

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Subject Line: Candidate for Junior Electrical Design Engineer

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