Project Engineer: Wind at Mulilo · Cape Town

About the Company

Since its establishment in 2008, Mulilo has grown into one of South Africa’s leading Independent Power Producers (IPP). Mulilo is majority owned by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), with Norfund holding an additional investment through the Norwegian Climate Investment Fund.

Mulilo develops, constructs and operates utility scale wind, solar PV and battery energy storage projects across South Africa. The company currently operates 450 MW of wind and solar capacity, with a further 765 MW under construction. A portfolio exceeding 2 GW is advancing toward financial close, while the long-term development pipeline exceeds 30 GW.

Mulilo has concluded power purchase agreements under the South African government’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), as well as private offtake agreements with several large corporate energy users.

Mulilo places significant emphasis on its people and recognises that successful infrastructure delivery depends on capable and committed teams. The company prides itself on providing a world-class working environment, with a clear focus on career progression and personal growth. Grounded in its values, Mulilo fosters a culture of accountability, collaboration and purpose, while remaining committed to its environmental, social and governance responsibilities.

About this role

As a Wind Project Engineer, you will be a pivotal member of Mulilo’s Engineering team, playing an integral role in the development and implementation of utility scale wind projects within the renewable energy sector. Stationed within the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) department, your expertise will support various business divisions, fostering teamwork across multidisciplinary teams which is a fundamental aspect of Mulilo’s culture. Your main responsibility will be to drive the technical development, design, construction, technical support, commissioning, and completion of Wind projects in Mulilo’s portfolio. Additionally, you will provide ongoing technical support for operational Wind projects. This role encompasses both office and site-based activities to ensure project success across all phases, from development and bidding to financial closure, construction, and operation.

Reporting To: Director: Wind Engineering

Duties and responsibilities

Wind Project Engineering

• Support, perform and/or drive engineering aspects of utility-scale Wind projects from early-stage development through to operation.
• Manage external engineering firms, subcontractors, and internal teams to deliver on company goals, ensuring projects meet time, budget, and quality standards.
• Support on performance of technical due diligence and risk assessments on feasibility-stage wind projects.
• Contribute to and enhance the Wind Engineering team’s capacity to meet Mulilo’s overall business objectives.
• Contribute to standardisation and enhancement of technical documentation, tools, and procedures for continuous improvements in engineering practices.
• Contribute to conducting long-term energy yield forecasts and improve internal tools to ensure optimal project designs focusing on Levelised Cost of Energy (LCoE).
• Use computer design software to develop Wind farm designs and analyse project sites.
• Assist in developing RFPs and evaluating technical proposals from suppliers and subcontractors.
• Contribute to the drafting, review, and markup of project technical documents, including EPC contracts and the related performance and liquidated damages provisions, operating and maintenance plans, procedures manuals, blueprints, and schematics.
• Perform detailed design reviews ensuring adherence to Employer’s technical requirements.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Interface with equipment suppliers, Balance of Plant (BoP) providers, EPC contractors, and regulatory bodies.
• Participate in technical negotiations with stakeholders in new Wind projects including, equipment suppliers, EPC contractors, Balance of Plant contractors, consultants, and permitting and regulatory officials.
• Provide technical support to construction staff, address site queries, and ensure construction aligns with approved designs,
• Strengthen the collaborative relationship between site and office-based team members.

Project Coordination and Support

• Provide input to project budgets, engage in drafting and reviewing technical documents.
• Drive design review meetings.
• Work with the Construction team to ensure activities match designs and specifications, and all project aspects comply with statutory and safety standards.
• Address complex problems via root cause analysis and support technical investigations and troubleshooting.

Quality & Compliance

• Drive a culture of value engineering and encourage innovation for best-in-class system design.
• Ensure all project aspects are documented and completed to high standards of quality.
• Ensure that projects and processes comply with statutory obligations, company policies, and required codes, standards, regulations, and laws.

Required skills and education background.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Electro-Mechanical, Mechatronic or Civil Engineering.

Professional Experience

• Proven track record in delivering utility scale wind projects through project execution/construction is crucial.
• 5+ years professional work experience within the utility Wind farms space working on engineering and technical aspects of the projects.
• Familiarity working in an EPC environment,
• Understanding of and experience in following different Contracting approaches
• Understanding of Eskom Self Build Works procedures, standards, and acceptance criteria.

Technical Proficiency

• Proficiency in computer design software such as Windographer, Openwind, AutoCAD Civil3D, GIS,
• Working proficiency in MS Office suite, notably Excel, Teams, SharePoint, PowerPoint and Word.
• Strong understanding of NERSA and Eskom procedures and standards, as well as SANS, IEC, and similar specifications and regulations used in the Wind Industry in South Africa.

Soft Skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work with contractors, advisors, consultants, and staff in a team environment.
• Proven ability to handle multiple tasks on multiple projects simultaneously under time-sensitive conditions.
• Strong problem-solving abilities—both methodical and innovative.
• Eager to be part of a fast-growing, dynamic department in a rapidly developing part of the power sector.
• Driven to be a part of the solutions to address the challenges faced by current society

Desirable attributes

The ideal candidate would have a passion for the Renewable Energy sector and personality traits would include a high level of diligence, determination, resilience, and agility. Mulilo is an employer of choice and is offering an extremely competitive total remuneration package for this position.

Additional Information

Able to work overtime according to operational needs.

The position is based at the offices of the company, but travel may be required occasionally.