Senior Renewable Engineer

Description

GIBB Power focusses on supporting energy projects and offering solutions to the challenges of energy transition in Africa.

As part of the GIBB group of companies, GIBB Power specialises in several areas of engineering including thermal and hydraulic engineering, electricity transmission and distribution networks, solar and wind power. These areas support the rapid development of these energies throughout Africa.

This Subsidiary of the GIBB Group is looking for another talented professional to complement their team, in the form of a Senior Renewable Engineer.

We welcome your application if you believe you meet the requirements for this position.

The below listed responsibilities and requirements will be assessed during the interview stages and will further be confirmed with the relevant professional references that you currently are or have reported to in your previously two positions.

Core purpose:

The Senior Renewable Electrical Engineer will provide technical leadership and engineering expertise in the development and delivery of renewable energy and electrical infrastructure projects. The role involves managing key client relationships, leading multidisciplinary project teams, and overseeing the full project lifecycle from concept development and feasibility assessment through detailed design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and operational handover.

The incumbent will be responsible for the planning, coordination, and successful execution of projects within approved scope, budget, quality, and schedule requirements. Working closely with internal teams, clients, contractors, OEMs, and other stakeholders, the Senior Renewable Electrical Engineer will drive the development of innovative, sustainable, and technically robust energy solutions, including solar PV, wind, battery energy storage systems (BESS), hybrid energy systems, and associated electrical infrastructure.

As a senior technical professional, the candidate will lead complex engineering studies, reviews, and designs, ensuring compliance with applicable legislation, industry standards, and engineering best practices. The role requires the ability to make sound technical and commercial decisions, mentor junior engineers, contribute to business development activities, and support strategic growth within the renewable energy sector.

Key responsibilities include leading renewable energy system design, performance modelling, energy yield assessments, grid integration studies, system optimisation, and cost estimation. The successful candidate will ensure that all designs are technically sound, integrated, financially viable, and operationally resilient while delivering maximum value to clients.

The Senior Renewable Electrical Engineer will also play an active role in proposal preparation, project governance, risk management, technical quality assurance, and client engagement, while identifying new business opportunities and fostering long-term relationships. Through technical excellence and leadership, the incumbent will contribute to the successful delivery of renewable energy projects and support the organisation's growth in the evolving energy transition landscape.

Key Performance Areas:

1. Technical Leadership and Engineering Excellence

• Provide technical leadership and oversight for renewable energy and electrical infrastructure projects.
• Lead feasibility studies, conceptual designs, detailed engineering, system optimisation, and technical due diligence assessments.
• Review and approve renewable energy system designs, calculations, specifications, and engineering deliverables.
• Ensure compliance with applicable national and international standards, regulations, grid codes, and engineering best practices.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to engineers, technologists, and graduate engineers.
• Drive innovation and the adoption of emerging renewable energy technologies and industry best practices.

2. Renewable Energy Project Development

• Lead the development and execution of solar PV, wind, battery energy storage systems (BESS), hybrid energy systems, and associated electrical infrastructure projects.
• Perform energy yield assessments, system performance modelling, and technology evaluations using industry-standard software.
• Evaluate project viability through technical, commercial, financial, and risk assessments.
• Support projects through all development stages, from concept and feasibility to financial close, construction, commissioning, and operation.
• Develop business cases and investment-grade renewable energy solutions for clients.

3. Project Management and Delivery

• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring delivery within approved scope, budget, quality, and schedule requirements.
• Develop and maintain project execution plans, schedules, budgets, and resource allocations.
• Monitor project performance, identify potential risks, and implement mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams, subcontractors, suppliers, and stakeholders to achieve project objectives.
• Report project status, key risks, and opportunities to management and clients.

4. Electrical Design and Grid Integration

• Lead the design and integration of MV, HV, and EHV electrical systems associated with renewable energy facilities.
• Perform grid integration studies, power system analyses, protection coordination studies, and electrical network assessments using software such as DIgSILENT PowerFactory.
• Develop and review single-line diagrams, protection philosophies, equipment specifications, and electrical layouts.
• Ensure optimal integration of renewable generation assets into utility and private electrical networks.

5. Construction, Commissioning and Operational Support

• Provide engineering support during procurement, construction, installation, testing, and commissioning phases.
• Conduct site inspections, factory acceptance tests (FAT), site acceptance tests (SAT), and commissioning activities.
• Resolve technical challenges during construction and commissioning to ensure successful project completion.
• Ensure operational readiness and long-term reliability of renewable energy systems.

6. Commercial and Cost Management

• Prepare and review capital cost estimates, operating cost assessments, and financial models.
• Evaluate contractor and supplier proposals from both technical and commercial perspectives.
• Support procurement activities, contract negotiations, and contract administration.
• Manage project budgets and identify opportunities for cost optimisation and value engineering.

7. Client Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, developers, utilities, financiers, OEMs, and strategic partners.
• Facilitate technical workshops, progress meetings, and presentations with stakeholders.
• Act as a trusted technical advisor on renewable energy and energy transition projects.
• Ensure client expectations are understood and consistently exceeded.

8. Business Development and Market Growth

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities within the renewable energy and energy transition sectors.
• Contribute to strategic planning and market development initiatives.
• Lead or support the preparation of proposals, expressions of interest, bids, and tender submissions.
• Develop long-term client relationships and support revenue growth within the business unit.
• Monitor industry trends, regulatory developments, and emerging technologies to identify future opportunities.

9. Quality, Risk and HSE Management

• Ensure compliance with company quality management systems and project governance requirements.
• Implement technical quality assurance and quality control processes across all project phases.
• Conduct project risk assessments and manage technical, commercial, environmental, and safety risks.
• Promote a strong health, safety, environmental, and sustainability culture throughout project execution.

10. Leadership and People Development

• Mentor, coach, and develop junior engineers and project team members.
• Promote collaboration across local and international project teams.
• Foster a culture of technical excellence, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement.
• Support succession planning and capability development within the renewable energy practice.

Requirements

Job Requirements

Qualifications:

• BSc/Eng/BTech in Electrical Engineering
• Professionally Registered (ECSA) or candidate (presently receiving registration)

Experience:

• Minimum 5 to 10 years of proven experience in the electrical engineering and renewable energy consulting industry, with a demonstrated track record in the successful development and delivery of utility-scale and commercial renewable energy projects.
• Extensive experience in the design, engineering, development, and execution of Solar PV, Wind, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), Hybrid Energy Systems, and associated electrical infrastructure.
• Proven experience managing projects through the complete project lifecycle, including feasibility studies, technical due diligence, conceptual design, detailed design, procurement, construction, commissioning, commercial operation date (COD), and operational support.
• Strong experience in MV, HV, and EHV electrical systems, including substations, transmission and distribution networks, protection systems, grid interconnections, and electrical balance of plant (eBoP) infrastructure.
• Demonstrated experience performing and leading:
  • Renewable energy feasibility studies
  • Energy yield assessments
  • Grid integration studies
  • Power system studies
  • Electrical network modelling
  • Technology evaluations
  • Technical and commercial due diligence assessments
  • Advanced proficiency in industry-standard engineering software, including:
  • PVSyst
  • DIgSILENT PowerFactory
  • AutoCAD
  • MS Project
  • contract administration, site management, energy projects.
• The candidate should have demonstrable experience in several of the following:
  • Utility-scale Solar PV projects (>10 MW)
  • Wind Energy projects
  • Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
  • Hybrid renewable energy systems
  • Grid connection and wheeling projects
  • Embedded generation projects
  • Mining and industrial power supply systems
  • Transmission and distribution infrastructure

Core Competencies

o Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

o Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word & Excel).

o Proficient with Microsoft Project.

o Experience with project management.

o Ability to work effectively in a team environment and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.

o Familiarity with health and safety regulations and environmental practices.

o Detail-oriented and capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously.

o The ability to work with multiple disciplines of projects.

o The ability to work across multiple projects in parallel.

o Excellent organisational, time management, leadership and decision-making skills.

o Strong written and verbal communication.

o Knowledge of applicable codes, policies, standards and best practices.

o The ability to work within budgets and to deadlines.

o Experience in plant design & integration, project management and strategic business acumen, interpret and understand specifications and contracts.

o Engineering design skills, technical problem-solving skills, analytical skills, cost analysis skills, presentation skills,

o Technical report writing (including proposal development)

o Business development and client interfaces

Additional Competencies

o Good communications skills

o Good presentation skills

o Self-confidence in the working environment

o Strong leadership trademarks