Senior Renewable Energy Engineer

3E is seeking a Senior Renewable Energy Engineer to join their South Africa team, focusing on solar and wind projects. The role involves overseeing consultancy projects, including technical due diligence and owner’s engineer responsibilities, from feasibility to operational monitoring. Key tasks include managing project assessments, contract negotiations, and construction oversight. The ideal candidate has a Master’s in engineering, 5+ years in renewable energy, and experience with technical advisory roles.
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, adept at 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.

Furthermore:
• Salary in line with your level of experience.
• Salary package: laptop, medical aid allowance (R.2500), phone allowance (R.650), 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 20 nationalities.