About this role
About NOA
Established in 2022, NOA is a leading renewable energy independent power producer (IPP) and energy trader, licensed by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa. We empower commercial and industrial companies to reach their net-zero goals while securing long-term energy savings.
Backed by $245 million in equity capital from Old Mutual's African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM), we currently have 1.5 GW of generation capacity under construction, sourced from NOA-owned wind, solar PV and battery storage sites alongside trusted independent power producers (IPPs).
At NOA, we believe that energy is life; it is the pulse that powers our industries, empowers our communities, and builds our societies. We are currently at a unique, once-in-a-generation moment in South African history, similar to the birth of the gold industry or the mobile revolution. It is a mission-critical time, and we have the right partners and expertise to shape the creation of an entirely new energy landscape.
What truly sets us apart is The NOA Way—our intentionally crafted culture and roadmap for excellence. We aren't just a utility; we are a tight, high-functioning team of "all-in" problem solvers who lean into complexity to find original solutions. We speak simply, act big, and step forward to own the changes our nation needs.
Our impact is immense: we are here to solve the immediate energy crisis, fuel the growth of the South African economy, and create a global blueprint for a decarbonised future. We are building a phenomenal team to do something magnificent together, and we make sure to savour the journey along the way.
About the role
NOA is building and operating a growing multi-GW renewable energy portfolio across South Africa, with four projects simultaneously in construction and a deep pipeline running through 2030. Civil infrastructure — site roads, equipment platforms, earthworks, drainage, hydrology, geotechnical compliance, and structural foundations — is present on every project from development through to commissioning and long-term operations.
This role carries technical ownership of all civil engineering scope across the portfolio. The Senior Civil Engineer is NOA’s in-house authority on civil matters: reviewing EPC designs, resolving site conditions issues, managing the interface between civil and other engineering disciplines, and supporting project managers and the Head of Engineering with civil risk and decision-making. The role spans the full project lifecycle — from development-phase site assessments and fatal flaw reviews, through active EPC oversight during construction, to civil integrity support during defects notification and early operations.
With four active construction sites running concurrently and a further pipeline of projects approaching financial close, this is a high-impact role that requires both technical depth and the ability to manage across multiple projects simultaneously. The successful candidate will set the civil engineering standard for NOA’s growing asset portfolio and will grow into the Civil/Structural Lead as the portfolio scales toward 2030.
Key Accountabilities & Associated Activities:
• Own civil engineering governance across the portfolio. Set and maintain NOA’s civil engineering standards; review EPC and OE design deliverables — foundation designs, road layouts, drainage plans, platform specifications, and geotechnical reports — for technical compliance and constructability.
• Support development-phase site assessments. Validate geotechnical, drainage, and platform design assumptions early in project development, identifying fatal flaws before they become costly late-stage redesigns or construction surprises.
• Oversee EPC civil scope during construction. Monitor civil construction progress across active sites, review method statements, assess site conditions, and provide timely technical input on RFIs, NCRs, and variation orders related to civil scope.
• Manage civil interfaces with other engineering disciplines. Coordinate civil works with electrical BoP routing, substation foundations, cable trench alignments, and access requirements, ensuring civil execution does not delay or compromise the overall project programme.
• Coordinate civil Owner’s Engineer scope. Brief, manage, and review the work of civil OEs appointed on specific projects, ensuring their deliverables meet NOA’s quality and schedule requirements.
• Identify and manage civil risks. Proactively assess geotechnical, drainage, hydrology, and structural integrity risks across the portfolio; escalate issues to the Head of Engineering with proposed mitigations.
• Support financial close preparation. Provide civil engineering input to lender technical due diligence packages, Independent Engineer queries, and technical schedules for projects approaching financial close.
• Build fleet-wide civil standards. As NOA’s portfolio transitions into operations, develop civil inspection and maintenance standards that protect long-term asset integrity and limit lifecycle cost across the growing fleet.
Role Requirements
Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree (BEng or BSc) in Civil Engineering — essential
• Professional registration with ECSA as a Professional Engineer (Pr Eng), or Candidate Engineer actively progressing to Pr Eng — essential
• Postgraduate qualification in geotechnical, structural, or project management disciplines — advantageous
Experience
• Minimum 12 years of civil engineering experience, with at least 4 years in utility-scale renewable energy, infrastructure, or heavy civil construction
• Proven experience reviewing and approving civil design packages — earthworks, roads, platforms, drainage systems, and geotechnical reports
• Hands-on experience managing civil scope during construction: RFI management, NCR resolution, and direct contractor technical interface
• Client-side or owner’s engineer experience strongly preferred over consulting or EPC execution
• Familiarity with South African civil regulatory requirements, including environmental permit conditions affecting civil works, stormwater management plans, and access road approvals
• Experience across the full project lifecycle (development, construction, commissioning, DNP) is highly advantageous
• Demonstrated ability to manage civil scope across multiple concurrent projects
Who we are looking for
Behavioural competencies
• All-in problem solver. You don’t hand problems upward — you define the issue, develop options, and bring a recommendation. When site conditions deviate or designs need reworking, you engage the EPC and drive resolution.
• Technical authority with practical judgement. You hold the technical line without being obstructive. You know when to escalate, when to accept a reasonable alternative, and when to stop and get it right.
• Operates with pace. Construction moves fast. You respond quickly to site queries, flag issues before they become programme delays, and don’t let slow decisions drive rework costs.
• Integrates across disciplines. Civil doesn’t sit in isolation at NOA. You work closely with Plant, HV, Grid, and Construction colleagues to make sure civil works enable — not constrain — overall project delivery.
• Clear communicator. You write crisp, well-structured technical reports and can explain a geotechnical risk or drainage issue to a non-civil engineer without losing the substance.
• Resilient and mobile. You are comfortable working across multiple sites in different provinces, with travel required during construction peaks and site inspections.
Technical & functional competencies
• Civil design review: earthworks, platforms, access roads, drainage, and stormwater management systems
• Geotechnical interpretation: soil classification, bearing capacity, settlement risk, and slope stability
• Hydrology and hydraulics: stormwater modelling, retention pond sizing, and drainage system design
• Structural fundamentals: shallow and pile foundations, retaining structures, and equipment support frames
• Construction oversight: method statement review, ITP/QCP compliance, NCR management, and hold-point/witness-point management on behalf of the owner
• EPC and OE interface management: brief writing, deliverable tracking, and technical query resolution
• Civil risk assessment and mitigation planning across multi-project portfolios
• Relevant standards and regulations: SANS, COLTO, environmental permit civil conditions, and wayleave requirements
• MS Office suite proficiency; civil design software (AutoCAD Civil 3D or similar) advantageous
Why join NOA?
A Once-in-a-Career Mission:
Joining NOA is an invitation to be part of a growing team at the very forefront of the South African renewable energy industry. We are a dynamic, mission-driven organisation with strong financial backing and a deep commitment to unlocking a just energy transition for our nation. This is a unique moment in history—a chance to shape a new industry from its inception.
The NOA Way: Culture by Design
We don't leave our culture to chance; we have intentionally crafted a roadmap called The NOA Way to ensure our business is a remarkable place that houses your highest aspirations. We are "all-in" problem solvers who think big and move with speed to make a significant impact. We value "Performance Connections," the belief that through genuine collaboration, we can achieve results far greater than the sum of our individual parts.
Investment in Your Evolution:
We provide a world-class environment designed to help you thrive in a demanding sector:
• The Powerkit: Every new team member participates in a day-long offsite "experience" in Cape Town to master the skills needed to excel within the NOA system.
• Continuous Growth: You will benefit from a constant feedback loop through our "RAP" (Review, Analyse, Plan) cadence, alongside coaching resources and "lunch and learns" to own your career path.
• Supportive Wellbeing: We promote true work-life integration with flexible hours, hybrid work-from-home options, and wellness initiatives specifically designed to "refuel your tank".
Competitive Reward & Equity:
We recognise and reward exceptional performance with a framework that allows you to participate in our collective success:
• Market-Leading Compensation: We offer a competitive salary tailored to your experience level.
• Incentives for Impact: You will be eligible for a performance-related short-term incentive (STI) bonus.
• Ownership Culture: We offer meaningful equity investment exposure through our staff share scheme, ensuring you are truly invested in the future we are building.