Lead Electrical Engineer (Solar)

Lead Electrical Engineer Renewable Energy

Location: Cape Town, South Africa

This is a high-impact role where you will act as the technical authority on electrical engineering and grid integration, ensuring that projects are designed, delivered, and commissioned to the highest standards.

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 owners 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.