Solar Engineer

Location - Nairobi, Kenya (with frequent field travel)

Reports To Head of Engineering / Operations Director

Employment Type Full-Time, Permanent

Salary Band Competitive — commensurate with experience

About the Role

We are looking for a certified Solar Engineer to lead engineering delivery across a growing portfolio of commercial and industrial (C&I) solar assets in Kenya. The successful candidate will own the full engineering lifecycle for new projects — from feasibility through commissioning — targeting 3–5 MW of annual construction delivery, while simultaneously managing and optimising performance across 43 existing operational sites totalling approximately 8 MW.

• Lead detailed engineering design for new C&I solar PV projects, including system sizing, equipment selection, single-line diagrams, and layout drawings.

• Conduct site feasibility assessments, shading analysis, and solar resource evaluation using tools such as PVsyst, Helioscope, or equivalent.

• Prepare and review Bills of Quantities (BoQs), technical specifications, and tender documents for EPC contractor procurement.

• Manage contractor selection, technical evaluation, and on-site supervision during construction and commissioning phases.

• Ensure all designs comply with Kenya Power interconnection requirements, ERC regulations, EPRA standards, and IEC/IEEE best practices.

• Coordinate with structural, civil, and electrical engineers for rooftop and ground-mount installations.

• Oversee grid connection applications, metering, and net-metering / feed-in tariff submissions where applicable.

• Manage project commissioning, SAT (Site Acceptance Testing), and handover documentation.

2. Asset Management (43 Sites, ~8 MW Portfolio)

• Act as Technical Asset Manager for the entire 8 MW operational portfolio, ensuring sites deliver against contracted performance guarantees and financial models.

• Monitor plant performance remotely using SCADA/monitoring platforms; diagnose and resolve underperformance issues promptly.

• Schedule and oversee preventive maintenance (PM) programmes and reactive maintenance across all 43 sites.

• Manage and audit O&M service providers, ensuring SLA compliance and cost efficiency.

• Produce monthly and quarterly performance reports (PR, yield, availability, energy generation vs. forecast) for internal stakeholders and clients.

• Manage spare parts inventory, equipment warranties, and long-term asset lifecycle planning.

• Identify and implement technical improvement measures (e.g. inverter upgrades, soiling monitoring, re-stringing, battery integration).

• Support insurance claims, lender technical due diligence, and independent engineer reviews as required.

• Maintain up-to-date as-built documentation, single-line diagrams, and O&M manuals for all sites.

3. Health, Safety & Compliance

• Champion and enforce HSE standards across all project and field activities, in line with Kenyan OSHA requirements.

• Conduct or oversee risk assessments, method statements, and toolbox talks for all field operations.

• Ensure all electrical work is executed by licensed electricians and complies with the Kenya Electricity Grid Code and ERC regulations.

4. Stakeholder & Commercial Support

• Liaise with off-takers, landlords, utilities (Kenya Power), and government bodies as the technical point of contact.

• Provide technical input to the commercial team for proposals, PPA negotiations, and financial models.

• Support due diligence processes for new site acquisitions and project finance engagements.

Qualifications & Experience Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Renewable Energy Engineering, or closely related field from a recognised institution.

• Professional registration or certification as a Solar Engineer — e.g. Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) registration (Graduate or Incorporated/Registered Engineer) plus solar- specific certification (e.g. NABCEP PV Installation Professional, PVGIS, or equivalent Kenya/international standard).

• Minimum 5 years’ post-qualification experience in solar PV design, construction management, and/or O&M, with at least 3 years in Kenya or East Africa.

• Demonstrated experience managing a portfolio of operational solar assets (ideally >5 MW or >20 sites).

• Proven track record of delivering solar projects from design through commissioning in a C&I or utility-scale environment.

• Deep working knowledge of Kenya Power grid code, ERC/EPRA permitting processes, and net-metering regulations.

• Proficiency in solar design software: PVsyst, Helioscope, AutoCAD, or equivalent.

Desirable

• Post-graduate qualification in Renewable Energy, Energy Management, or Project Management.

• Experience with battery energy storage systems (BESS) and hybrid solar-storage projects.

• PMP, PRINCE2, or other recognised project management certification.

• Familiarity with lender technical due diligence processes and Independent Engineer report requirements.

• Experience using asset management platforms (e.g. PowerBI dashboards, bespoke SCADA reporting tools).

• Working knowledge of carbon crediting, RECs (Renewable Energy Certificates), and sustainability reporting.

• Solar PV system design & sizing

• Electrical engineering & HV/LV systems

• SCADA & remote monitoring

• AutoCAD / PVsyst / Helioscope

• Grid interconnection & metering

• EPC contractor management

• Competitive salary benchmarked against Kenya renewable energy market rates.

• Medical insurance cover for employee.

• Annual performance bonus linked to portfolio KPIs and project delivery milestones.

• Vehicle or transport allowance for field travel.

• The opportunity to shape and grow a leading solar portfolio in one of East Africa’s most dynamic markets.