Senior Renewable Energy Engineer at 3E · Cape Town

To anchor our leading market position, we are looking for an experienced Solar and/or Wind expert to join our South Africa team.

In this role, you will take on a pivotal position as a key contact for our customers, overseeing the end-to-end delivery of consultancy projects. With a mix of due diligence and owner’s engineer responsibilities, you will support our clients at every stage of project development - from feasibility to operational monitoring.

Specific responsibilities include:

Technical Due Diligence:

• Lead and manage technical due diligence assignments, advising clients through the financial close phase.
• Assess and mitigate technical risks across project CAPEX, OPEX, and revenue forecasts.
• Coordinate with legal, insurance, and financial advisors to ensure comprehensive project evaluations.
• Review and negotiate key contracts (e.g., EPC, O&M, PPA, and Wind Turbine Generator Supply agreements) for both solar and wind projects.

Owner’s Engineer Services:

• Oversee project feasibility studies, providing detailed technical input from preliminary assessments to full economic analysis.
• Monitor construction progress, ensuring alignment with design specifications and best practices.
• Manage EPC and O&M tender preparations, participate in contract negotiations, and guide clients through the award process.
• Conduct on-site project acceptance testing and commissioning, collaborating with contractors to resolve issues and ensure project milestones are met.
• Oversee project operations, supporting clients during the operational period to optimize performance and ensure long-term asset integrity.

Additional Tasks:

• Conduct thorough technical reviews of project permits, designs, and resource assessments.
• Lead and document technical inspections during construction and commissioning phases.
• Propose strategies for risk mitigation, drawing on comprehensive knowledge of renewable energy project lifecycles.

We are seeking a dynamic, organized team player with a proactive approach to problem-solving. The ideal candidate is an adaptable leader with excellent communication skills, able to engage various stakeholders and foster effective collaboration.

Key qualifications include:

• Master’s Degree in Engineering or equivalent, with specialized training or experience in renewable energy (wind and/or solar).
• Minimum of 5 years in renewable energy, with at least 3-5 years in wind and/or solar consultancy.
• In-depth experience as both a Lender's and Owner's Technical Advisor, handling technical due diligence, particularly in PV EPC, O&M, PPA, and Wind Turbine contracts, including EPC, WTG supply, O&M agreements, and Power Purchase Agreements (PPA).
• Proven ability to manage and execute Owner's Engineer responsibilities, including design review, project management, and technical advisory throughout the development, construction, and operational phases.
• Hands-on experience with construction monitoring and inspections, guiding clients through the construction process to ensure adherence to technical and regulatory requirements, industry standards, and project goals.
• Competency in reviewing and overseeing acceptance testing and commissioning activities performed by contractors, addressing issues promptly to ensure on-time project handover.
• Familiarity with feasibility studies and resource assessments for solar and wind projects, with an understanding of economic, technical, and operational considerations that influence project viability.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proven ability to assess technical risks, propose mitigation strategies, and support both TDD and OE functions across CAPEX, OPEX, and revenue forecasts.
• Excellent project management skills, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, managing timelines, and aligning project deliverables with client expectations.
• Proficient in technical software tools relevant to both TDD and OE roles, with a demonstrated ability to learn and adapt to new systems quickly.
• High level of organization, capable of managing complex, concurrent projects while ensuring quality, budget, and schedule targets.
• Strong interpersonal and communication abilities, with the capacity to convey technical information clearly and adapt messaging to different audiences, including sponsors, contractors, and lenders.
• Willingness to travel for short assignments across Africa, as required.
• Fluent in spoken and written English. French and/or Portuguese language skills are advantageous.

In addition to joining a fast-growing international company that promotes a stimulating atmosphere in a highly motivated group of people, 3E offers a unique opportunity to further develop yourself in a company/team with an ambitious growth plan, delivering innovative services. You will work in Cape Town’s city centre, in an office with wonderful views of Table Mountain.

Furthermore:

• Salary in line with your level of experience.
• Salary package: laptop, medical aid allowance, phone allowance, 18 leave days (24 after 1 year of service), 13th month (end of year bonus).
• Flexible working /Home office.
• An international environment: projects in over 100 countries worldwide, colleagues of more than 37 nationalities.