PowerGen Renewable Energy is a micro-grid developer and Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) company for Commercial and Industrial (C&I) solar projects in Africa. PowerGen is creating an African energy system that utilizes clean, renewable energy and smarter grids to deliver power to all. 

We uniquely combine our mission – to build Africa’s future energy system, while improving lives through smarter power – with technical, on-the-ground expertise and an innovative business model. We build, own and operate AC micro-grids and C&I solar projects to bring power to residential, commercial and industrial customers. With over 120 employees, a 7,500 sq. ft. workshop and headquarters in Nairobi, offices in Tanzania, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, PowerGen is building a company that is set to have an impact on the energy sector in Africa for years to come. ​​​​​​

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

As a Medium Voltage Grid Engineer, you will play a critical role in the project design development and keeping PowerGen’s customers connected across vast geographies in which we operate.  You will coordinate with an international technology team to keep the company’s operations running smoothly with the best hardware, software, and firmware tools.  You will report to the Engineering Manager or Technical Director and work closely across the Project Development, Project Management, Supply Chain, Technology, and Operation & Maintenance functions to deliver the design and technical support for project execution we use to serve the customers across all countries in which we operate.  

This role requires power system networks, LV /MV, detail design engineering skills in developing the transmission and distribution network, Substation primary and secondary equipment circuit designs using the established tools and new technologies making a significant contribution to PowerGen’s mission of building the energy systems of the future in Africa. You will work within the Supporting Business Unit (SBU) project execution engineering team to implement these designs on PowerGen’s future grids distribution design development.

What You’ll Make Happen:

 Engineering Design Development

•  Achieve world-class internal engineering capabilities through internal resources, training and development and partnering as the company continues to grow as both the leading minigrid developer in Africa and a MW scale solar project developer.
• Deliver cost-effective designs, meeting international and local regulations, relevant technical standards, and industry best practice with high attention to detail.
• Work within multidisciplinary teams to deliver all elements of grid distribution and substation designs required for the mini-grid installations from route survey, geotechnical, structural, earthing, distribution, grid integration and protection systems.

KPIs

• MV / LV grid detailed design on time, on budget delivery.
• Bill of Material (BOM) and design engineering cost optimization.
• Engineering standards compliance.
• Engineering documentation.

 Role Specific Requirements:

• Develop electrical power system designs for LV and MV substation, transmission, and distribution.
• Develop concept designs (including layout, SLDs, and BoM) for the project development and bid submission.
• Develop engineering design basis, and determine the testing, commissioning, and performance guarantee requirements. 
• Develop the technical specification for the substation, transmission, and distribution equipment’s and provide subject matter expert (SME) support and expertise to the Project Managers and Project Engineers and for procurement of program wide equipment.
• Develop detailed design for the construction and project implementation works.
• Provide input into detailed design review both internal and external to ensure efficient and cost-effective constructability.
• Review detailed designs submission from design sub - contractors. 
• Provide technical specification and inputs to tender scope of works development.
• Provide the engineering Safety in Design (SiD) reviews and ensure compliance.
• Power system electrical studies, load flow and protection design.
• Power System primary and secondary equipment and protection system design.

Management

• Lead and train a team of young and enthusiastic engineers as a lead engineer, including assisting where requested with the recruitment, performance review process and organizing training to meet the needs of the organization growth.
• Prepare discipline specific budgets and maintain fiscal responsibility and control.
• Implementation and continual improvement of engineering best practice and compliance with ISO 9001 and quality management framework.

System Improvement and R&D

• Maximize the value of embedded generation networks to optimize service and operational excellence.
• Test and implement tools that increase the efficiency and reliability of PowerGen’s transmission, distribution, and delivery of electricity to customers in multiple countries. 
• Support PowerGen research and development activities on transmission, distribution, and solar and mini-grid technology to lower LCOE and improve reliability for our customers
• Identify, prioritize, and track the evolution of key technical advances that arise across decentralized energy ecosystem.  Use those developments to continuously improve PowerGen’s existing tools. 

Other

• Support technical investigations and fault finding in PowerGen’s O&M areas to identify root causes to help restoration the network quickly and prevent recurrence of the issue.
• Support business development and nurture relationships with clients

Key Relationships and Areas of Influence   

• Maintain effective communications and relationships, provide accurate information on Engineering Designs, projects, and assist in the development and implementation construction improvement and efficiencies. 
• Maintain effective communications and relationships with PMs /PEs, efficient resource planning, priority settings, and development plans for the engineering discipline. 
• Project Team: Maintain effective communication. Ensure an excellent customer service by responding to customer enquiries, providing sound technical advice and delivery timely, accurate and efficient LV and MV grid design for substation, transmission, and distribution. Networks.
• Contractors – Establish effective working relationships with the design sub-contractors.

What Excites You:

• Tackling big, thorny problems with smart technology that will transform the African energy sector 
• The opportunity to become a technical expert in an area that might be previously unfamiliar to you
• A fast-paced environment where constant change is the norm and individual initiative is expected
• Autonomy to implement your creative solutions – not just generating ideas, but committing the time, creativity, and skill to make them happen
• Excellence – in your peers, in your work, and in our company’s commitment to our customers
• Passion for organization, details, and precision in all you do.
• Become a part of the fast-growing power generation business.

You Already Have:

• 5+ years of electrical power system design experience focusing on the substation, transmission, and distribution systems both at low voltage and medium voltage level.
• Education: Education: B.S. or M.S. in electrical engineering.
• Proven track record of the power system transmission and distribution project design development. 
• Knowledge and hands on experience in some of the Power system design tools and system study software e.g. – Power factory, ETAP, PSSE, PSCAD, AutoCAD, PLS CAD, PTW or other equivalent etc.

BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION

A competitive package including annual compensation, performance bonuses, health insurance and professional development. Plus you'll be working with a dynamic team of brilliant people passionate about electrifying Sub-Saharan Africa!

Equal Opportunity:

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in employment regardless of race, sex, color, religion, national origin, tribe, gender or age.  

References: 

Also note that as all referees may be contacted, please ensure that contact details are up to date and that referees are aware that they may be contacted. Candidates must give full details of how they can be contacted as PowerGen will accept no responsibility if it is not able to contact a candidate for an interview.