Africa Climate Careers Network's Climate Job Board

Discover emerging career opportunities in the climate and clean energy sectors

Electrical Engineer

Globeleq

Globeleq

Other Engineering
Kenya
Posted on Jul 29, 2025
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
Application Deadline
August 11, 2025
Department
Business Operations
Employment Type
Permanent
Location
Kenya
Workplace type
Onsite
Reporting To
Maintenance Manager

Main Purpose of Role

The Electrical Engineer will lead the implementation of preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance activities across all electrical, instrumentation, communication, and control systems at the Menengai Geothermal Power Plant. The role is critical in ensuring high plant availability, minimal parasitic load, optimal equipment performance, and full compliance with safety, quality, and industry best practices.
Operating within the framework of Globeleq’s policies and standards, as well as the requirements of the EPC, PISSA, PPA, LTSA, and O&M agreements, the Electrical Engineer will supervise a team of Electrical, Instrumentation, and Control Technicians. The role will collaborate closely with other engineering disciplines and the broader O&M team to ensure sustained plant performance, availability, and reliability.

Key Result Areas

1) 1. Mobilisation Period (Pre-COD)
- Review O&M manuals, manufacturer’s recommendations, and EPC documentation for adequacy and completeness.
- Support in development of plant-specific maintenance procedures, schedules, and records ahead of commissioning.
- Validate EPC-supplied spare parts, tools, and consumables.
- Participate in site inspections, contractor-led training, and pre-commissioning and commissioning activities.
- Input into CMMS setup (IFS) and spare parts planning.

2) Operation Period (Post COD)
a) Maintenance execution
- - Plan and oversee preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance.
- Maintain, troubleshoot and repair systems including:
· High, medium, and low-voltage systems
· Protection, metering, SCADA, PLC, DCS, and communication systems
· Transformers, generators, and balance-of-plant equipment
· Control and instrumentation devices, fire detection, HVAC, diesel gensets, and CCTV systems
- Implement LOTO, permit-to-work, and other HSESS requirements.
- Utilize CMMS (IFS) for job planning, execution, and documentation.
- Manage contractors and maintenance support teams.
- Manage tools, consumables, spare parts inventory and reorder planning.

b) Preventive Maintenance
As part of preventative maintenance activities, the Electrical Engineer:
- Participate in scheduled inspections (A, B, and C) covering electrical, instrumentation, control, automation, and metrology systems.
- Supervise tests and diagnostic checks on electrical ,instrumentation, control and automation systems of power generation equipment, their auxiliaries, and balance of plant (BOP).
- Read, interpret, and modify electrical, instrumentation, control, and electronic diagrams and schematics.
- Execute preventive maintenance tasks as defined in the maintenance program, ensuring alignment with OEM guidelines and industry best practices.
- Review OEM maintenance procedures and adapt them where necessary to suit site-specific requirements; ensure updates are documented in the CMMS (IFS).
- Validate maintenance work instructions prior to execution to ensure technical accuracy and safety compliance.
- Oversee or directly carry out assembly, wiring, and installation of components and systems.
- Perform maintenance tasks independently or in collaboration with Electrical and I&C Technicians, depending on the complexity and nature of the intervention.
- Review, verify, and close maintenance work orders and notifications in IFS/CMMS following completion of activities.
- Develop, validate, and implement systematic preventive maintenance procedures and propose continuous improvement actions.
- Participate in and execute electrical maintenance activities during minor and major overhauls of power generation systems.
- Conduct condition monitoring (e.g., thermographic inspections, insulation resistance testing, partial discharge) and support root cause failure investigations for repetitive or critical faults.
- Provide coverage and technical support in the absence of Electrical and I&C Technicians to maintain maintenance continuity and response readiness.

c) Corrective Maintenance
The priority of interventions is defined at the daily joint meeting between maintenance and operation teams. Based on intervention orders issued by Maintenance Manager the Electrical Engineer will,
- Prepare planned corrective interventions by reviewing maintenance orders, technical documentation, and required spare parts/tools.
- Request Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO) from the Operations Department via the CMMS (IFS), and retrieve necessary diagrams or additional details (e.g., fault location, failure type) from the notice issuer.
- Perform maintenance interventions only upon issuance of a valid Work Permit by the Operations Department and after collecting authorized tools and spare parts from the stores.
- Execute fault diagnosis, troubleshooting, and necessary repairs on electrical, instrumentation, control, and automation systems across the plant.
- Log completed interventions with detailed reports in IFS/CMMS, ensuring accurate documentation of faults, work done, and observations.
- Respond promptly to unplanned equipment malfunctions or operational issues when requested by the Shift Engineers or relevant supervisor, ensuring timely restoration of equipment functionality.
- Explain the operation and proper handling of electrical, instrumentation, and control systems to plant users as necessary to avoid misuse and promote safe usage.
- Analyse recurring faults, propose preventive actions or design improvements, and escalate recommendations to supervisors for review and implementation.
- Use technical expertise to evaluate issues, determine appropriate diagnostic approaches, select suitable repair methods, and ensure sustainable resolution.
- Provide coverage and technical support in the absence of Electrical and I&C Technicians to maintain maintenance continuity and response readiness.

d) Leadership and Administration
- Supervise and evaluate Electrical and I&C Technicians through biannual reviews.
- Mentor interns and temporary staff as needed
- Identify training needs and coach team members to improve output.
- Provide regular progress updates to the Maintenance Manager.
- Escalate unresolved issues and propose continuous improvement initiatives.

e) Compliance and HSESS
- Enforce Globeleq HSESS and plant-specific procedures.
- Conduct audits and ensure compliance with OEM and company policies.
- Monitor quality and completeness of executed work.
- Lead acceptance inspections and document work evaluations.
- Integrate QA/QC into all maintenance processes.

Requirements, Skills and Attributes

Education:
- engineering or equivalent.
- Professional registration with the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK)

Experience:
- Minimum 5 years in power plant operations environment, preferably geothermal or steam turbine-based environment.
- At least 3 years in a supervisory or team-lead capacity.

Technical Competencies:
- Deep understanding of electrical, instrumentation, and control systems including process safety.
- Skilled in routine, preventive, and curative maintenance of power generation equipment.
- Knowledge of generator protection, control, transformers, and high-voltage systems.
- Mastery in interpreting P&IDs, electrical schematics, and automation diagrams.
- Proficient in SCADA, PLC/DCS systems, and industrial automation.
- Competent in CMMS (IFS preferred) and ERP systems.
- Strong diagnostic and troubleshooting skills with RCA experience.
- Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Leadership in team supervision, contractor oversight, and performance evaluation.

Behavioural Attributes:
- Strong leadership, initiative, and team motivation skills.
- High personal integrity and strong commitment to safety.
- Effective communication, coordination, and collaboration skills.
- Willingness to work shifts, weekends, and respond to plant emergencies.
- Results-driven and adaptable to high-performance environments.
- Proactive in problem-solving and continuous improvement.

About Globeleq

We develop, own and operate power plants utilising various technologies across the African continent. With many years of international industry experience, the support of committed shareholders, and long-standing project, technology, finance and government partnerships, we have the financial strength, management and operational expertise to power Africa to realise its potential.

Not quite right? Register your interest to be notified of any roles that come along that meet your criteria.

Register Your Interest