Head of Engineering (Germany)

Background to Aukera

Aukera is a leading pan-European Renewable Energy (RE) developer and Independent Power Producer (IPP), dedicated to accelerating the energy transition across the continent. Headquartered in Belgium, we have offices in Berlin, Brussels, Bucharest, London, Edinburgh, Rome, Madrid and Seville. Aukera manage a diversified pipeline of over 15 GW in onshore Wind, Solar, and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects.

We pride ourselves on our values and our collaborative, supportive working environment. Our team is friendly, caring, highly professional, and deeply committed to making a real impact on the planet. As a rapidly growing company, we seek high performers from all backgrounds who are self-motivated, take ownership, and are passionate about driving improvements. We value diversity and are proud to have an international team representing 14 nationalities, with around 30% female employees. At Aukera, mutual respect and effective collaboration are at the heart of everything we do.

Role Summary

Leading all areas of Aukera’s Engineering activity in Germany, across project phases: early development, pre-construction, construction and asset management. The individual will be assigned a number of projects, for which they will act as the technical lead, responsible for all technical inputs to the project.

This role will require close collaborative working with the Development, Investment, Procurement, Construction and Asset Management teams using high level communication, stakeholder management and problem-solving skills to ensure the success of projects in a timely and cost-effective manner.

The position requires both technical and commercial skills, the ability to form strong working relationships, and work in a team, often remotely, in order to provide technical engineering support. A good understanding of the roles of contractors, consultants, network operators, equipment suppliers, permitting authorities and other project stakeholders is essential to succeed in this role, as are the Solar and BESS engineering skills that will be applied on real-life projects across a growing pipeline in Germany.

Duties and responsibilities

• Accountable for all technical aspects of the development process (including M&A), financial close (FC), construction and O&M, ensuring engineering compliance to contracted standards post-FC.
• Support Aukera’s Project Development function from early development to Ready To Build (RTB) and Financial Close (FC).
• Support Aukera’s Project Management function as needed across all technical aspects during construction period, commissioning, PAC and FAC.
• Lead the technical assessment of project acquisition opportunities (M&A), including management of external Technical Advisors during the full Due Diligence phase and beyond.
• Review and analyse project information and define appropriate design and main equipment to be used, based on the site conditions and techno-economic criteria, including LCOE optimisation.
• Identify and analyse constraints and risks to projects, propose suitable mitigants and adjust design as needed.
• Lead the development of Owner’s Requirements and of the EPC Contract’s Technical Appendices.
• Lead the development of Basic Design for inclusion in EPC RfPs.
• Lead the review of EPC Contractor bids, reports, orders, claims etc. for compliance with Owner’s Requirements and EPC Contract appendices and support negotiations with EPC Contractors.
• Specify, procure and manage Technical Advisor services (including OE, LTA and Acquisition DD).
• Lead and coordinate the technical review of EPC Contractor’s detail design.
• Undertake site visits to both greenfield sites and sites under construction.

Experience and knowledge

• At least 15 years of experience in RE, of which at least 5 years in a BESS engineering role involving:
  • BESS technical design and specification
  • assessment and evaluation of BESS projects
  • working with EPC companies and equipment manufacturers
  • evaluation and selection of equipment.
• Proven track record in RE and BESS, working either on the Developer, IPP, or Technical Advisor side.
• Strong knowledge of BESS and Solar PV plant constituent components and equipment; plant layout development and of all factors affecting plant performance.
• Experienced in design and simulation software including AutoCAD, PVsyst, Homer, or other BESS or Solar modelling software.
• Experienced with the negotiation and completion of EPC, BOS, LTSA, Equipment Supply, Optimiser Agreements, O&M, and other contracts, particularly technical appendices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
• Masters in Renewable Energy or related field would be considered an advantage

Other skills

• Fluent English spoken and written.
• Fluent in German, with fluency in another language being a plus.
• Strong communication, reporting and presentation skills.
• Adept at working to challenging deadlines, prioritising effectively and managing own workload.
• Enjoys working with a dynamic and highly engaged team, as well as working independently.
• A flexible and proactive attitude, keen to take responsibility and to use initiative.