Senior Engineer Interconnection (BESS)

About the Company

Since its establishment in 2008 Mulilo has grown into one of South Africas leading Independent Power Producers (IPP). Mulilo is majority owned by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) with Norfund holding an additional investment through the Norwegian Climate Investment Fund.

Mulilo develops constructs and operates utility scale wind solar PV and battery energy storage projects across South Africa. The company currently operates 450 MW of wind and solar capacity with a further 765 MW under construction. A portfolio exceeding 2 GW is advancing toward financial close while the long term development pipeline exceeds 30 GW.

Mulilo has concluded power purchase agreements under the South African governments Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) as well as private offtake agreements with several large corporate energy users.

Mulilo places significant emphasis on its people and recognises that successful infrastructure delivery depends on capable and committed teams. The company prides itself on providing a world-class working environment with a clear focus on career progression and personal growth. Grounded in its values Mulilo fosters a culture of accountability collaboration and purpose while remaining committed to its environmental social and governance responsibilities.

About this role

As Senior Engineer: Interconnection you will play a key role in Mulilos engineering team focusing on interconnection infrastructure and project implementation for renewable energy plantsparticularly in the BESS Engineering project team. You will drive the design engineering and construction of interconnection works ensuring projects are delivered on time within budget and to the highest quality and safety standards. This role involves both office-based and site-based activities supporting projects throughout the full lifecycle: development bidding financial close construction commissioning and operation.

Reporting To: Director: BESS Engineering

Duties and responsibilities

Interconnection Engineering

• Lead all technical aspects of interconnection infrastructure (e.g. utility substations transmission lines) from early-stage development through commercial operation.
• Manage external engineering firms and subcontractors ensuring on-time and on-budget delivery.
• Implement technical due diligence fatal flaw analysis and risk assessments especially at feasibility stages.
• Provide technical input to the development of project budgets ensuring cost-effectiveness and optimal resource allocation.

Project Management

• Oversee interconnection activities across multiple projects concurrently balancing time and budgetary constraints.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams (e.g. Procurement Construction Operations) to align project goals and technical requirements.
• Manage relationships with utilities and other external stakeholders driving compliance with statutory obligations codes and standards.

Technical Documentation & Standards

• Develop internal tools methodologies templates and best practices for interconnection work.
• Support the development of internal tools methodologies and specifications to ensure optimal project designs considering Levelised Cost of Energy (LCoE) constructability efficiency and overall system performance.
• Standardise engineering policies documentation and procedures across projects for continuous improvement.
• Review and contribute to technical documentation such as EPC contracts performance requirements operating procedures and schematics.
• Participate in internal and external design review meetings verifying compliance with internal and external design and quality requirements and contractual obligations.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Interface with equipment suppliers BoP (Balance of Plant) providers EPC contractors and regulatory bodies.
• Lead technical negotiations with vendors and ensure robust due diligence for equipment or contractor selection.
• Provide site-based technical support address site queries and ensure construction aligns with approved designs also strengthening the collaborative relationship between site and office-based team members.
• Contribute to and develop the Engineering teams capacity to support Mulilos overall business objectives fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence.

Quality & Compliance

• Conduct root cause analyses fault investigations and troubleshooting to maintain high-quality standards.
• Ensure compliance with grid codes (RETEC Eskom standards NERSA methodology) and applicable local and international regulations (SANS IEC).
• Maintain thorough records of project-related activities from key correspondence to final design documentation.

Required skills and education background

• Bachelors degree in Electrical Electro-Mechanical or Mechatronic Engineering.
• 10 of experience in utility interconnection engineering and project execution.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing grid interconnection facilities substations transmission lines and high-voltage electrical infrastructure.
• Experience in wind BESS and solar PV renewable energy facilities would be beneficial.
• Familiarity with the entire EPC process (Engineering Procurement and Construction) including split contracts for High Voltage Systems and Balance of Plant.
• Experience working with Eskom Self Build procedures standards and acceptance criteria.
• Knowledgeable in RETEC Grid Code Compliance and interconnection studies.
• Proficiency in designing and analysing transmission generation and distribution of electrical power.
• Competency in industry-specific design software (AutoCAD) and MS Office suite (Excel Teams SharePoint PowerPoint and Word).
• Strong understanding of Eskom NERSA SANS IEC and similar regulations used in South Africa.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; able to liaise effectively with contractors advisors and consultants.
• Proven ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously under time-sensitive conditions.
• Strong problem-solving abilitiesboth methodical and innovative.

Desirable attributes

The ideal candidate would have a passion for the Renewable Energy sector and personality traits would include a high level of diligence determination resilience and agility. Mulilo is an employer of choice and is offering an extremely competitive total remuneration package for this position.

Additional Information

The position is based at the offices of the company but travel may be required occasionally.

Able to work overtime according to operational needs.

Required Experience:

Senior IC