Globeleq is a leading independent power producer actively developing and operating power projects in Africa. With diverse portfolio, the company utilizes various technologies to generate reliable and sustainable energy.

The Menengai Geothermal Project is a 35 MW greenfield geothermal power plant, forming part of the first phase of the larger Menengai complex. This marks Kenya’s second large scale geothermal development after Olkaria. Once the plant reaches commercial operation at the end of 2025, Globeleq will be responsible for its Operation and Maintenance (O&M).

The Geothermal Development Company (GDC) a Kenyan government owned entity will supply steam to the project under a 25-year Project Implementation and Steam Supply Agreement (PISSA).

Electricity generated will be sold to Kenya Power, the national distribution company under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the same period. The project will deliver clean, affordable and reliable baseload power to Kenya’s national grid, supporting the monetization of Menengai geothermal resources.

As the project shareholder, Globeleq is leading its construction, operation and long-term management.

We have partnered with Smart4Energy for this recruitment, in case of any queries kindly reach out to the team by emailing hello@smart4energytalent.com

We are seeking a qualified and motivated Shift Engineer to join our Operations team and contribute to the reliable and efficient operation of the Plant.

Reporting to the Operations Manager, the Shift Engineer is responsible for ensuring the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of the power plant during their assigned shift. The role includes supervising plant operators, monitoring plant performance, executing first-level maintenance, and ensuring compliance with HSESS, manufacturers’ recommendations, and operational procedures. The role ensures the safety of personnel and equipment while maintaining high plant availability, performance, and compliance.

1. Mobilisation Period (Pre-Commercial Operations Date)

· Support plant commissioning and mobilization activities.

· Participate in operator training and simulation exercises.

· Review, contribute and assess O&M manuals, OEM recommendations, and standard operating procedures.

· Assist in the development and population of the CMMS (e.g., SAP) with initial maintenance data and annual plans.

· Maintain plant records and provide mobilisation status reports.

· Catalogue EPC punch list items and track resolution progress.

· Participate in contractor-led training and pre-commissioning activities.

· Support the establishment and enforcement of the permit-to-work (PTW) and Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) systems.

1. Operational and Maintenance Period (Post COD)

a) Power Plant Operation

· Operate steam turbines, auxiliary systems and balance of plant equipment (start-up, shutdown, monitoring) as per approved procedures.

· Operate the plant in compliance with the O&M Manuals, OEM recommendations, PPA, PISSA, and Globeleq requirements.

· Maximize and optimize plant availability and net electrical output; minimize parasitic load.

· Monitor plant performance including through the DCS and report anomalies.

· Ensure real-time compliance with quality, safety, and environmental standards in the operation of the plant.

· Liaise and maintain contact with GDC and KPLC to comply with despatch instructions as per PPA/PISSA.

· Document shift activities, incidents, and operational anomalies.

· Collaborate with maintenance teams to troubleshoot equipment issues and improve reliability.

· Analyse technical malfunctions to improve equipment reliability.

· Prepare detailed and accurate shift reports, logs, incidents and corrective actions.

· Manage use of operational tools, consumables, and equipment.

· Participate in management/operational planning meetings and contribute to short-term priority setting.

b) Shift Coordination

· Ensure smooth handover and operational continuity between outgoing and incoming teams.

· Record and report all significant incidents or operational changes.

· Supervise plant operators, guide day to day tasks, and provide on-the-job training and support.

· Receive and transmit operating instructions accurately at each shift change.

· Review the shift logbook and operational history to understand previous activities or anomalies.

c) First Level Maintenance

· Execute assigned and identified Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) actions through SAP.

· Perform first-level maintenance tasks (e.g., lubrication, filter changes).

· Participate in planned maintenance, inspections (A, B, C types).

· Perform first-line maintenance activities such as lubrication, filter and lamp replacement.

· Participate in maintenance outages and inspections (A, B, and C types), working under the supervision of maintenance managers.

d) Incident and Emergence Response

· Lead emergency response during incidents or equipment failures.

· Coordinate with emergency services as necessary.

· Ensure timely and accurate reporting of incidents in accordance with HSESS procedures.

e) Team Leadership

· Supervise operator activities and evaluate performance through periodic progress reviews.

· Foster a positive and productive work environment aligned with Globeleq vision, values and standards.

· Identify training needs and promote continuous professional development.

· Represent site management during off-hours and weekends ensuring compliance with internal regulations and HSESS requirements.

· Promote a safety-first, inclusive, and performance-driven team culture.

· Identify individual and team training needs and support continuous professional development.

· Work closely with the Operations Manager and Human Resources Manager to ensure that resourcing and personnel requirements are identified and proactively managed.

f) Compliance and HSESS

· Enforce adherence to HSESS policies, procedures, permit-to-work, and lockout/tagout protocols.

· Ensure site operations comply with internal controls and procedures.

· Promote safe working practices and support HSESS investigations and audits.

Qualification:

· Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, electrical, Instrumentation/Control Engineering or equivalent.

· Professional registration with the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK).

Experience:

· Minimum 5 years in power plant operations, preferably geothermal or steam turbine-based environment.

· Previous experience in a supervisory or shift-based engineering role is preferred.

Technical Skills and Expertise

· Strong grasp of power plant systems, thermodynamics, process safety and process control.

· Experience with Distributed Control Systems (DCS) preferably Honeywell.

· Ability to consolidate continuous improvement (QSE Management, HSE, Benchmark).

· Skilled in interpreting P&IDs, electrical schematics, operations and technical manuals.

· Developed sense of abnormal detection of noise, temperature, odor, leaks (air, water, gas, etc.) during operation or shutdown of the plant.

· Active awareness in the event of incidents.

· Competent in Microsoft Office Suite.

· Experience with SAP or similar CMMS and digital monitoring systems is an advantage.

· Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and reporting tools.

Key Skills and Competencies:

· Proven leadership and decision-making capability under pressure.

· High attention to detail with a strong safety and quality orientation.

· Analytical and solutions-oriented mindset.

· Effective communicator and team mentor.

· High attention to safety, detail, and operational discipline.

· Self-motivated, dependable, and ethically grounded.

· Ability to work both independently and within a multi-cultural team.

· Willingness to work shifts, including nights, weekends, and public holidays.