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Lead Electrical Engineer (Solar)

Network Engineering
1 day ago
Full-time
On-site
Cape Town: Atlantic Seaboard, South Africa
Reference: NES026214-Wes-1

Lead Electrical Engineer – Renewable Energy
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Are you ready to take ownership of complex, large-scale renewable energy projects and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of energy across Africa? An exciting opportunity exists for a highly skilled Lead Electrical Engineer to join a forward-thinking energy organisation, driving technical excellence across Solar PV, Hydro, and Battery Energy Storage (BESS) projects.
This is a high-impact role where you will act as the technical authority on electrical engineering and grid integration, ensuring projects are designed, delivered, and commissioned to the highest standards.

Duties & Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:
  • Serve as the technical authority for electrical and grid integration across the full project lifecycle
  • Lead the review and governance of electrical system designs, including substations, MV/HV systems, protection schemes, and plant controls
  • Oversee external consultants and Owner’s Engineers across design, studies, and commissioning activities
  • Ensure compliance with grid codes, engineering standards, and performance requirements
  • Provide technical leadership during construction, commissioning, and energisation phases
  • Support grid connection studies and manage interactions with utilities
  • Oversee protection coordination, plant controller logic, and operational control strategies
  • Participate in technical procurement processes, including equipment reviews and Factory Acceptance Tests
  • Ensure integration into operational systems such as SCADA and monitoring platforms
  • Support due diligence processes for project acquisitions
  • Drive continuous improvement and standardisation across engineering practices
  • Promote and enforce a strong safety culture across all activities
Minimum Requirements:
  • Degree in Electrical Engineering
  • Minimum 7 years’ experience within power generation, renewable energy, or electrical infrastructure
  • Strong experience in utility-scale Solar PV projects (BESS and Hydro exposure beneficial)
  • Proven expertise in grid integration, substations, MV/HV systems, and protection systems
  • Experience across multiple project lifecycle phases (development through commissioning)
  • Demonstrated ability to manage consultants and review technical deliverables
  • Solid understanding of grid codes, compliance, and utility interface processes
Key Competencies:
  • Strong knowledge of renewable energy electrical systems and grid integration principles
  • Ability to review and interpret SLDs, protection philosophies, and control system architectures
  • Experience with plant control systems, SCADA, PPC, and EMS/PMS concepts
  • Strong technical problem-solving and risk assessment ability
  • Excellent stakeholder management and coordination skills
  • Ability to make independent, high-level technical decisions
Additional Information:
  • Travel required: Approximately 1 week per month, with increased travel during commissioning phases
  • Exposure to construction and operational environments
If you are a technically driven professional looking to influence the delivery of cutting-edge renewable energy projects, this role offers an exceptional platform to elevate your career.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please apply directly. For more engineering jobs, please visit www.networkrecruitment.co.za
If you have not had any response in two weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful.
For further enquiries, please contact: wgouws@networkrecruitment.co.za

Package & Remuneration

R 750000 - R 850000 - Annually