Technical Engineer
First seen by Alion on Nov 4, 2026.
Reporting To:
Technical Manager
Location:
Irene, Pretoria
(with regular travel across SA and occasionally to group offices in Namibia, Botswana and Zambia)
Job Purpose:
The Technical Engineer is the companies technical face to the market. The role grows sales of MV and LV switchgear, distribution boards and power quality solutions by combining four functions: technical sales, solution design, customer and industry training, and after-sales technical support.
The incumbent builds and maintains the companies standing with utilities, local authorities, consulting engineers and contractor associations. This includes obtaining and keeping product approvals so that switchgear can be specified and used freely on projects and in tenders.
Duties & Responsibilities
Technical sales and business development
- Promote MV and LV switchgear, distribution boards, control panels and power quality products to utilities, consulting engineers, contractors, OEMs and end users.
- Identify and follow up projects, tenders and specifications; get products specified at design stage.
- Prepare technical offers, compliance schedules and clarifications in support of quotations and tenders.
- Visit customers and sites to understand requirements and recommend suitable solutions.
- Maintain an accurate pipeline in the company CRM/ERP and report on opportunities, quotes and wins.
Design and engineering
- Design LV distribution boards, MCCs, control panels and MV switching solutions to client requirements and applicable standards.
- Produce or check single-line diagrams, general arrangements, bills of materials and technical schedules with the drafting and costing team.
- Carry out basic electrical calculations: load, cable sizing, fault levels, protection selection and discrimination.
- Review client specifications and drawings and flag non-compliances or risks before order acceptance.
- Support the workshop on technical queries during manufacture and attend factory acceptance tests.
Training
- Develop and present product and technical training to contractors, electricians, consulting engineers, utility staff and students.
- Present at contractor association events, seminars, expos and CPD sessions.
- Prepare training material, presentations, handouts and attendance records.
- Train internal sales and workshop staff on new products and standards.
Technical support
- Provide pre- and after-sales technical support by phone, email and on site.
- Investigate complaints and product failures, prepare root-cause reports and manage warranty claims with the factory.
- Support installation, testing and commissioning of company equipment where required.
Stakeholder and regulatory engagement
- Build relationships with utilities and regional electricity distributors (e.g. Eskom, City Power Johannesburg, City of Tshwane, City of Cape Town), NERSA, contractor associations such as ECA(SA), and industry bodies such as SAIEE.
- Prepare and follow through product approval and type-test submissions to utilities and authorities.
- Keep track of changes in national and IEC/SANS standards and utility specifications and advise the business.
Administration
- Keep technical files, datasheets, test certificates and approval documents complete and current.
- Submit accurate visit reports, training records, expense claims and monthly activity reports on time.
- Follow company quality, document control and health and safety procedures.
Desired Experience & Qualification
Additional Requirements:
Required
- Demonstrated experience dealing with utilities, municipalities or regional electricity distributors, and with contractor associations or industry bodies.
- Experience in technical sales, tender submissions or specification work.
- Valid driver's licence, own reliable transport and willingness to travel.
Skills and personal attributes
- Strong administrator: organised, deadline-driven and accurate with documentation, reports and follow-ups.
- Confident public presenter: comfortable training and presenting to groups of 10 to 100+, from apprentices to senior engineers and utility officials.
- Relationship builder: professional and credible with utility officials, consultants and contractors.
- Commercial awareness: understands margins, pricing and the customer's buying process.
- Problem solver: analytical and practical in finding and fixing technical issues.
- Clear communicator: excellent written and spoken English; another local language is an advantage.
- Self-starter: works independently, manages own diary and travel, and takes ownership of outcomes.
- Computer literate: MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) at an advanced level.
Advantageous
- Registration (or working towards registration) with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).
- MV operating authorisation or switching experience.
- Experience presenting training or CPD courses.
- Proficiency in AutoCAD or EPLAN, and familiarity with an ERP/CRM system.
Candidates must meet one of the two qualification routes below, plus the experience requirements.
Engineer: Degree or National Diploma in Electrical or Electromechanical Engineering - 3–7 years in switchgear, power distribution, electrical contracting, a utility or a consulting firm
Master electrician: Trade-tested electrician registered as a Master Installation Electrician with the Department of Employment and Labour - 5+ years post-qualification, including design, installation and commissioning of MV/LV systems
Package & RemunerationR35 000 - R40 000 CTC pm