Principal responsibilities:

The successful candidate will primarily support and develop the Engineering department who are responsible for:

• Leadership, management, and accountability 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)
• Review and assist with updating SolarAfrica’s technical requirements (EPC guidelines)
• 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.
• Undertake technical due diligence for projects and suppliers either directly or with the support of other departments.
• Provide support to the project development team on specific projects.
• Provide engineering support to the Sales and Business Development departments.
• 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 ñlessons learnedî 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, identify potential risks, and devise contingency plans.
• Review and approve all milestone documentation from an engineering compliance perspective
• Provide technical assistance for troubleshooting.
• Proactively update SolarAfrica Technical requirements based on lessons learnt and risks identified.
• Engineering due diligence on all new financed products developed by SolarAfrica
• 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.

PERSON DESCRIPTION

Experience:

• Three or more years of experience or a good understanding of solar PV and related technologies.
• Must have seven or more years of proven electrical engineering experience, with formal Technicon or University qualification.
• Four or more years of experience managing a team.
• Driver’s license essential.
• Must have the ability to interpret and create technical drawings using CAD.
• Strong communication & interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to work to strict deadlines & budgets.
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, PVSyst, Helioscope, AutoCAD electrical.

Advantageous Skills include:

• 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 DC system.
• Knowledge of surge protection and grounding systems.
• Experience using PVSyst or equivalent simulation packages.

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.
• Honest, mature, dependable.
• Ability to elicit cooperation from various sources, including upper management, customers, and other departments.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Must be able to learn, understand, and apply new technologies.
• 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.

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 initiative, share our mistakes and grow together.
• We are dependable and take accountability.
• No one person is bigger than the solution – no egos.