Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Engineer at CrossBoundary

Job Description 
CrossBoundary Energy (CBE) is recruiting an Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Engineer to oversee the performance optimisation and monitoring of our hybrid solar PV projects for commercial-industrial and mining customers. As CBE's clients are predominantly in the private space in frontier markets, the Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Engineer will play a critical role in the overall success of our mission by ensuring the efficient operation and maximising performance of our renewable energy assets. You will be responsible for analysing and interpreting performance data, identifying areas for improvement, implementing strategies to enhance energy production, and coordinating reporting, while coordinating with cross-functional teams to drive operational excellence. 

Who You Are 

• Self-starter who is passionate about clean energy and its potential to transform fragile states and frontier markets in Africa 
• Understand the fundamentals of industrial applications for solar energy, power systems engineering, electrical transmission/distribution networks and / or electrical generation 
• Capable of applying engineering principles to complex, bespoke problems that require creative thinking 
• Comfortable with ambiguity; you are effective in a fast-moving and complex environment that does not have a fixed rule book
• A practical thinker known for choosing the simple, robust solution where more complicated approaches would deliver the same results 
• A systematic and highly-organized project manager; takes personal accountability for tracking numerous activities across workstreams and driving them all to successful conclusion 
• A creative problem-solver not afraid to get their hands dirty to untangle a complex issue 

Primary Responsibilities 

Technical Support and Documentation: 

• Provide technical support to field technicians, project managers, and stakeholders regarding remote monitoring systems and data analytics. 
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of monitoring systems, configurations, troubleshooting procedures, and best practices. 
• Contribute to the development of standard operating procedures and guidelines for remote monitoring and analytics processes. 

Performance Monitoring and Analysis: 

• Establish and maintain performance monitoring systems for renewable energy projects globally. 
• Analyse performance data, including energy production, availability, downtime, and other relevant metrics to identify trends, patterns, and anomalies. 
• Conduct regular performance audits to ensure compliance with project specifications and contractual obligations. 
• Monitor and assess the impact of external factors, such as weather conditions and grid integration, on project performance. 
• Monitor the real-time performance and operational parameters of renewable energy projects remotely. 
• Identify and diagnose technical issues or anomalies affecting project performance. 
• Collaborate with field technicians and engineers to troubleshoot and resolve issues, ensuring minimal downtime.
• Generate comprehensive performance reports and present findings to internal and external stakeholders. 

Performance Optimisation: 

• Develop and implement strategies to optimise the performance of renewable energy projects. 
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including engineering, operations, and maintenance, to identify and address performance bottlenecks. 
• Conduct root cause analysis of underperforming assets and develop corrective action plans. 
• Recommend and implement process improvements and best practices to enhance project performance. 
• Analyse data trends and performance indicators to identify optimisation opportunities. 
• Continuously monitor project performance and recommend adjustments to operational parameters for maximum efficiency. 

Reporting: 

• Overall responsibility for AM Operational reporting. 
• Create and improve reporting processes. 
• Coordinate cross functionally with other departments to integrate portfolio level reports. 

Data Management and Systems: 

• Oversee the collection, storage, and analysis of performance data using appropriate software tools and systems. 
• Ensure data integrity and accuracy, and establish data validation protocols. 
• Collaborate with IT teams to enhance data management systems and reporting capabilities. 
• Implement advanced data analytics techniques to extract meaningful insights and drive informed decision-making. 
• Generate comprehensive reports on the performance of renewable energy projects, including KPIs, metrics, and recommendations for optimisation. 
• Utilise data visualization techniques to present complex data sets in a clear and concise manner 

Integration and Configuration: 

• Integrate remote monitoring systems with renewable energy projects, ensuring seamless data collection and transmission. 
• Configure monitoring systems to capture relevant data points and parameters specific to each renewable energy project. 
• Collaborate with project teams to ensure successful implementation of monitoring systems. 

Stakeholder Engagement: 

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including project developers, owners, operators, and contractors, to align performance objectives and optimise project outcomes. 
• Participate in project meetings and provide performance-related updates and recommendations. 
• Communicate performance-related issues, risks, and opportunities to relevant stakeholders in a timely and effective manner. 
• Foster strong relationships with key stakeholders to drive performance improvement initiatives. 

​​​​​​​Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, renewable energy, or a related field. Master's degree preferred. 
• Proven experience in performance management and optimisation of renewable energy projects, including solar, wind, BESS, or other relevant technologies. 
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in data analysis and interpretation. 
• Knowledge of performance monitoring systems and software tools used in the renewable energy industry. 
• Familiarity with remote monitoring systems, SCADA systems, and data acquisition systems. 
• Familiarity with energy production and performance metrics for renewable energy projects. 
• Understanding of key factors influencing project performance, including technical, environmental, and operational aspects. 
• Ability to conduct root cause analysis and develop actionable recommendations. 
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to effectively convey complex technical information to non-technical stakeholders. 
• Strong project management and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines. 
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required to support project sites. 
• Professional certifications in renewable energy or performance management (e.g., Certified Energy Manager) are a plus.