Job Description
Power Engineer - GMR 2 (1) Appointee
Application Deadline: 31 August 2026
Department: Engineering
Employment Type: Permanent
Location: South Africa
Globeleq is a leading owner, operator, developer and investor of a diversified energy portfolio in Africa, delivering tailored energy solutions and supporting the region’s energy transition. Since 2002, Globeleq has built a diverse portfolio of independent power plants generating 1,850 MW across eight countries, with 665 MW under construction and more than 2,000 MW in development. Globeleq is owned by British International Investment and Norfund, the UK and Norwegian development finance institutions. More details: www.globeleq.com
To support the Engineering and the company’s growth across Africa, Globeleq is now seeking to recruit a Power Engineer. This is an exciting opportunity to join a high performing and supportive team and is now implementing transformational projects across the African continent.
The Power Engineer will provide expert power engineering support to the O&M teams at Globeleq's operating renewable energy plants, focusing on sound engineering practice, plant reliability, machinery safety and regulatory compliance.
The incumbent will hold the statutory appointment of GMR 2(1) Supervisor of Machinery in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, No. 85 of 1993 (OHS Act) for designated GSAMS solar plants. In this capacity the incumbent is the custodian of machinery safety and carries personal legal accountability for ensuring that the OHS Act and its regulations are complied with in respect of all machinery on the premises for which they are appointed.
The role requires frequent travel to site for inspections and GMR 2(1)-related activities.
Key Responsibilities
1. Act as GMR 2(1) Legal Appointee for allocated sites – Supervisor of Machinery (OHS Act, No. 85 of 1993)
- Hold the statutory GMR 2(1) appointment for designated GSAMS solar plants and champion machinery safety: set the standard, monitor performance and drive continuous improvement
- Manage the authorisation process and database so that machinery is operated and worked on only by authorised persons; act as examiner in authorisation assessments
- Own the Control of Work framework: permit-to-work, lockout and isolation, and the Operating Regulations for High Voltage Systems (ORHVS), including switching authorisations
- Provide assurance that all machinery is fit for purpose, suitably constructed, properly safeguarded and compliant with the OHS Act, its regulations and applicable standards
- Conduct quarterly site inspections and audits; issue GMR 2(1) compliance reports and track corrective actions through the Health & Safety Committees
- Support GMR 2(7)(a) site appointees in managing compliance with the General Machinery Regulations and Authorisation Framework
- Maintain statutory records; investigate incidents and report reportable incidents to the Department of Employment and Labour per Section 24 of the OHS Act and the GMR
- Ensure emergency and contingency plans are maintained and periodically tested through drills, with learnings implemented
- Define training standards and deliver training for operators and supervisors of machinery in switching and GMR-related practices; sign off deviations to maintenance plans
- Represent the GMR 2(1) function in safety forums and management committees; liaise with the Department of Employment and Labour and external specialists
2. Power Engineering and Technical Support
- Provide expert technical support to plant O&M teams and electrical maintenance personnel across the portfolio
- Troubleshoot complex events and conduct Root Cause Analysis for major or repetitive failures, planning corrective actions
- Provide direction on electrical protection systems (relays, settings, testing), control systems (RTUs, SCADA) and communication protocols (IEC 61850, DNP3, Modbus, IEC 104)
- Consolidate and analyse data from remote monitoring and engineering systems to establish trends, assess equipment condition and risk, and recommend proactive measures
- Review system designs, specifications and electrical schematics for substations and PV plants
- Identify technical insufficiencies and potential plant improvement initiatives
- Execute on allocated Capex projects
3. Maintenance and Asset Performance
- Draft, implement and optimise maintenance strategies, schedules and standard operating and maintenance procedures
- Conduct site inspections and job observations to ensure equipment is properly maintained and operated
- Support effective use of the computerised maintenance management system (CMMS) and planned maintenance KPIs
4. Engineering Change Management
- Support with the Implementation and management of the engineering change control system and technical document governance
- Analyse and approve technical changes from a GMR, machinery safety and risk perspective
- Maintain the engineering risk register and use it to inform machinery safety priorities
- And any other duties, as assigned by the line manager, in line with the role.
Skills and Competencies
1. Able to analyse complex technical problems to ascertain and address the root cause
2. Working knowledge of the OHS Act and General Machinery Regulations, and their practical application on operating power plants
3. Able to explain complex technical concepts and influence a variety of audiences, without direct authority
4. Able to balance technical and commercial considerations in making recommendations
5. Strong written and verbal communication, including clear report writing
6. Demonstrates initiative; able to work independently, handle multiple priorities and perform under pressure
7. Good team player; able to balance team and individual responsibilities
Experience, Knowledge and Qualifications
1. Government Certificate of Competency (GCC Factories) – required
2. B.Sc Eng / B.Eng in Electrical Engineering, or NQF equivalent qualification
3. Minimum of five years' experience in the maintenance, operation and/or design of power systems
4. Conversant with the OHS Act and General Machinery Regulations; prior experience as a GMR
2(1) or GMR 2(7)(a) appointee would be an advantage
5. Demonstrated experience in LV, MV and HV electrical systems, including ORHVS and electrical switching activities
6. Experience in Root Cause Analysis and risk management
7. Experience in solar PV plants, and with engineering change control systems, would be an advantage
8. ECSA professional registration (Pr.Eng / Pr.Tech.Eng) would be an advantage
9. Experience in implementing NFPA 70E and/or IEEE 1584 standards would be an advantage
10. A valid light vehicle driver's licence is required
