Regional Head of Engineering – C&I (Draft)
To be reviewed and confirmed by Laetitia
Reporting line
Reports initially to the current department head (transition arrangement), then assumes full leadership of the C&I engineering function reporting to the COO.
Key responsibilities
- Strategic leadership: Provide technical leadership for rooftop/behind‑the‑meter projects; participate in portfolio planning and keep senior management informed of project engineering status.
- Team development: Build and mentor an engineering team, fostering collaboration and knowledge‑sharing and overseeing performance management during the transition and beyond.
- Design & technical oversight: Supervise end‑to‑end design for rooftop PV and hybrid solar‑storage systems; review designs, bills of quantities, schedules and budgets to ensure compliance with technical, environmental and regulatory standards; optimize designs for cost and performance.
- EPC contract negotiation and closure: Lead technical and commercial negotiations with EPC contractors, from defining the scope of work and technical specifications to reviewing EPC contracts, performance guarantees and warranties. Collaborate with legal and commercial teams to finalize terms and close contracts, ensuring alignment with project budgets and schedules.
- Project lifecycle management: Manage projects from concept through permitting, construction to commissioning, coordinating EPC contractors, suppliers and internal teams and conducting site supervision.
- Quality assurance & process improvement: Develop and implement quality control and risk‑management processes; drive continuous improvement in design methodologies; ensure adherence to health, safety and environmental (HSE) standards.
- Stakeholder management: Liaise with procurement, legal, finance and commercial teams to align engineering deliverables with business needs; explain technical concepts, risks and mitigation strategies to non‑engineers; maintain relationships with contractors, suppliers and permitting authorities. Collaboration with procurement is limited to technical specification; all purchasing and strategic‑sourcing duties remain outside this role.
- Permitting & regulatory approvals: Lead engineering aspect of the permitting process for rooftop PV projects, particularly in Thailand where permitting is a major effort. Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of national and municipal regulations, prepare and submit permit applications, and liaise with government agencies to expedite approvals and reduce delays.
- Regional leadership: Maintain local design standards for Thailand and Vietnam; conduct site visits and coordinate with country teams; build relationships with local authorities and clients.
Qualifications & experience
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in electrical engineering.
- At least 10 years of solar PV and hybrid energy system design experience, with significant exposure to rooftop C&I projects and at least five years of leadership experience.
- Proven ability to build and lead high‑performing engineering teams.
- Demonstrated success managing full EPC lifecycles, coordinating contractors and suppliers, and conducting site supervision.
- Strong expertise with PV design and simulation tools (e.g., AutoCAD, PVSyst, Helioscope) and solid understanding of PV systems, electrical standards and EPC processes.
- Experience with permitting processes and regulatory compliance in Thailand and Vietnam (or comparable markets) and familiarity with MV/LV distribution networks and hybrid Solar + BESS projects.
- Outstanding communication and stakeholder‑management skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non‑technical colleagues and coordinate with procurement without performing procurement tasks.
Desired competencies
- Strategic and hands‑on leadership ability, comfortable operating at both high‑level planning and detailed project execution.
- Strong change‑management and mentoring capability to navigate the transition from reporting to the current head to taking full control of the C&I engineering function.
- Cross‑cultural awareness and experience working across Southeast Asia; fluency in English and ideally Thai or Vietnamese.
- Uncompromising commitment to HSE, quality and regulatory compliance.
- Integrity, collaboration and the ability to work closely with procurement, BESS and Grid Solutions teams while maintaining clear boundaries around responsibilities.
