Head of Engineering

In brief

Here is the rewritten job description based on your MANDATORY structure: **Overview** Our client is an established international independent power producer that develops, builds, owns and runs utility-scale renewable energy plants in South Africa and the wider region. They are seeking a Head of Engineering to lead the engineering function within their technical division. This is a senior leadership role, reporting directly to the Chief Technology Officer and sitting on the management team. The Head of Engineering will help set the direction of the technical division and lead a team including the Head of Project Engineering and the Head of Grid and Electrical, and through them the project, electrical, and civil engineers. The role involves accountability for engineering across all project stages, from early development and tendering, through financial close and construction, to handover. This includes defining technical specifications and employer's requirements for construction contracts, and ensuring projects balance cost with technical risk. The client emphasizes that this is an engineering leadership role requiring strong technical credibility combined with proven ability to lead senior engineers, develop skills, delegate effectively, and manage performance. **What you will do** * Lead, mentor, and develop a team of senior engineers, including the Head of Project Engineering and the Head of Grid and Electrical. * Assign clear responsibilities and objectives, and measure individual performance against them. * Delegate effectively, manage team workload, and assign engineers to project teams according to company priorities. * Plan career progression and succession to maintain necessary team skills as the project pipeline grows. * Build local strength in electrical and civil engineering to enable the team to solve South African project problems internally. * Set engineering performance measures, track them, and act on insights gained. * Collaborate with the Chief Technology Officer on the strategic direction and short-term and long-term goals of the technical division. * Represent engineering at senior management level, on project steering committees, and on construction committees. * Provide clear technical perspectives on project and investment decisions, weighing technical risk against the commercial case. * Introduce new technologies into the business and build the internal know-how to deliver them. * Write, update, and enforce engineering policies, standards, and procedures to ensure consistent project principles. * Share engineering knowledge and lessons learned with the wider international group. * Optimize project designs during development and tendering to reduce the cost of energy without taking on unmanaged technical risk. * Define project specifications based on bid requirements, permits, and site technical limitations. * Define and sign off the employer's requirements for the construction contracts. * Run the technical evaluation of main construction contractors and equipment suppliers, their offers, and deliverables. * Lead technical due diligence on projects being acquired, on outside technical reports, and on new suppliers and equipment. * Lead design-for-construction reviews and construction readiness checks. * Utilize value engineering to enhance plant performance and project returns. * Ensure designs adhere to contracts, project specifications, local rules, and good construction practice during construction. * Establish and continuously improve the review process for contractor designs, drawings, calculations, datasheets, and procedures. * Implement tools to supervise and report on mechanical, electrical, control, and civil work. * Sign off key technical and construction documents and decisions. * Ensure each project meets its environmental authorisation, environmental management programme, the Equator Principles, health and safety law, and the group’s own policies. * Carry legal health and safety responsibilities associated with leading people, including conducting risk assessments for the team. * Manage construction contractors, engineering consultants, and suppliers, holding them accountable for their performance. * Negotiate with service providers when required. * Work with Eskom, the national energy department, the Independent Power Producer Office, and advisors on engineering and plant performance. **Requirements (from the original advert)** * **Minimum requirements:** * An honours degree in engineering. * At least 15 years of experience in engineering, with approximately 7-10 years specifically in renewable energy. * Hands-on experience with utility-scale renewable energy projects through development, tendering, and construction phases. * Experience leading the engineering function on large power generation projects where several engineering disciplines must collaborate. * Experience across more than one technology, ideally including wind, solar, and battery storage. * A proven record of leading engineers, including mentoring specialists, planning succession, managing resources, and building a high-performing team. * Strong business sense, demonstrating an understanding of the cost implications of engineering decisions and knowledge of technical and commercial terms in construction and supply contracts. * Experience leading a work stream from the start of a project through to financial close. * The confidence to influence contractors, Eskom, government bodies, and senior management. * South African citizen or permanent resident. * **Preferred requirements:** * A master's degree in engineering or business administration. * Registered professional engineer. * A postgraduate diploma in general management. * Good working knowledge of Microsoft Project or Primavera. **Who should apply** The ideal candidate is an established engineering leader with significant experience in utility-scale renewable energy projects across various stages (development, tendering, construction). They should possess strong technical credibility and a proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop senior engineering teams, delegate effectively, and manage performance. A strong business acumen, understanding the financial implications of engineering decisions and contract terms, is essential. The candidate must be confident in influencing diverse stakeholders, including contractors, government bodies, and senior management. The role is suited for someone who can balance technical expertise with leadership and strategic direction within a senior management team. **Deadline** Not specified **Reference** Original posting: https://www.myjobmag.co.za/job/head-of-engineering-energy-africa-recruitment Source: myjobmag

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At a glance

• At least 15 years of experience.

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