Senior Renewable Energy Engineer
Summary
Senior Renewable Energy Engineer at DNV in Cape Town designs and advises on utility-scale wind, solar, and battery storage projects, ensuring technical feasibility and compliance for clients in Africa.
Do you want to join the world's leading energy consulting firm? Are you committed to addressing climate change? Do you enjoy collaborating with colleagues and clients, and thrive in a dynamic and respectful environment?
Then you may find the position of Senior Renewable Energy Engineer in the Renewables Advisory Africa division of the Energy Systems business unit, to be a great fit for you!
You’d be part of the Middle East & Africa (MEA) geographical unit. You will be working with diverse customers and colleagues along the region.
DNV’s MEA Renewables Advisory Team is growing quickly to meet the expanding demand for expert wind, solar, storage and hybrid energy advisory services in the region. We support utilities, regulators, developers, owners and lenders with feasibility studies, technical due diligence, conceptual design & procurement support, and independent technical advisory services for either owner, lender or offtaker/procurer/regulator.
In this role you will be involved in the delivery of primarily utility-scale wind, solar and BESS advisory related projects, as well as being part of an engineering team constantly evolving for developing/maintaining services for renewables projects.
Most of the work will be desk-based, however travel for site and customer visits will be required at times (estimated at 5% to 20% of your time, depending on the projects you are involved in).
Main duties will include but are not limited to:
- Execute and/or manage advisory services for utility-scale wind, solar and BESS projects, mainly focused on civil, mechanical, electrical or environmental conceptual design tasks for lenders technical, independent and owners engineering roles.
- Type of tasks: report writing, technical reports analysis, structural calculations, civil or electrical design, owner’s engineering, presentations, site visits, construction supervision, R&D, courses, etc.
- Conduct contract reviews, grid connection or turbine supply agreement reviews, feasibility studies for utility-scale wind, BESS and solar projects, technology reviews, environmental ESDD, electrical or foundation reviews and other due diligence functions.
- Work with a team of experts to enhance our competences and processes, as well as constantly improving our services for wind, BESS and solar projects.
- Work most of your time on chargeable projects, but with some bid preparation and Customer business development support as necessary.
- Build an internal & external network to gain and share knowledge and opportunities.
We offer flexible work arrangements that help employees maintain a healthy balance between professional and personal life while staying productive.
- Generous paid leave including public holidays, annual leave, sick leave, maternity and paternity leave, moving house, exam leave, and family responsibility leave.
- Medical benefits such as health check-ups, eye tests, and hearing tests.
- Pension and insurance plans including private medical insurance.
- Additional perks like communication support, housing and home security allowances, professional and academic memberships, gym and sports memberships, and car allowances.
*Benefits may vary depending on role, employment type, tenure, or grade level. *
Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD degree in civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical or environmental engineering.
- 10+ years’ relevant work experience.
- Technical expertise in the development of utility-scale Wind, Solar, Hydro and/or Battery Storage projects.
- Skills in Owner’s Engineering and past site experience would be an advantage.
- Professional registration an added plus, but not crucial.
- Experience must also include a working knowledge of civil or electrical engineering related regulations, codes and standards.
- Dynamic and enthusiastic team player - co-operates will with others, shares knowledge, experience and information, and supports others in pursuit of team goals. A good sense of humour and positive disposition are valuable.
- Delivery and Results - completes tasks in accordance with expectations and schedule and with strong attention to details, understanding task urgency; able to juggle and manage conflicting work priorities to ensure deadlines are met. Drives ideas to implementation and execution in a timely manner, is willing to periodically work longer hours when the situation demands it.
- Must have excellent written and verbal communications skills in English, including ability to write clear and detailed technical reports, presentations and emails.
- Analysis and judgement - quickly understands and analyses problems & complex issues, provides sound and rational judgements. Demonstrates methodical and systematic approach, plans ahead and prioritises tasks effectively.
- Networking - builds good personal and professional relationships. Experience of building long-term client relationships.
- Work ethic - identifies with the Company’s principles, vision and values.
- Inquisitive – we are looking for nimble-minds that have an adventurous outlook on life! People that “put their hand up” and go the extra mile will be warmly received.
- Communicates and influences in a clear, open, active and honest manner (verbal and written) and seeks understanding of other views.
- Proven ability to produce clear written reports and communicate verbally in English.
- Good IT skills, and experienced in using MS Office suite packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
- Willingness to travel across the country and internationally.
- Demonstrates continuous improvement.
- Primarily office based, however with sporadic travel to local South African or Internation sites or DNV offices.
Desirable qualifications include:
- Extensive experience in the renewable energy sector in Africa, specifically design of wind, solar PV, hydro and BESS. Preference given for past consulting exposure.
Skills in AI programming of Agents, technological development and an interest in digitalisation.
Experience performing construction monitoring or supervision (civil, electrical and/or structural works).
Root Cause Analysis (RCAs) for civil, electrical and/or structural works.
Experience in Technical Due Diligence processes will be plus. This may include but is not limited to: electrical design, mechanical design or turbine inspections, site assessment, ground conditions, hydrology, civil design, structures, contracts review, scheduling or environmental site auditing of renewable energy projects.
Skills in past design (electrical, mechanical or civil) of renewable energy facilities in South Africa.
The project work is often fast-paced with tight timeframes. The candidate must be willing to work with complex tasks under such deadline pressure and be comfortable in managing workflow to deliver work on time (working with line manager and other team members to cross allocate work to avoid overloading).
Most work tasks will result in written reports to clients and day to day communication with clients if often by email. Good written English skills are essential.
The role will involve on the job training as well as other training internally or externally. The candidate will be expected to demonstrate initiative and self-motivation. Support, mentoring and training, as appropriate, will be provided by principal team members.
Role Location:
This role will be based in Cape Town, South Africa.
There are no direct reports, however, may be in the future.
Pre-agreed authorisation levels for contracts, purchases and other commitments will be standard according to staff grade.