Work Preference
Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic
Open To Work

Gaoshitwe Lekoloane

Pretoria,GP

Work Preference

Job Search Status

Open to work
Desired start date: Immediately

Desired Job Title

Solar Engineering ConsultantOwners EnginerResident EngineerProject ManagerCategory Manager

Work Type

Full TimePart TimeContract WorkGig WorkConsultingVolunteerSeasonal Work

Location Preference

On-SiteRemoteHybrid
Location: Pretoria, ZA
Open to relocation: Yes

Salary Range

45000/yr - 200000/yr

Important To Me

Work-life balanceCompany CultureHealthcare benefitsPersonal development programsCareer advancementTeam Building / Company RetreatsPaid sick leave

Summary

Engineering professional with comprehensive background in consulting, ready to drive impactful outcomes. Expertise in delivering technical solutions and managing complex projects. Known for strong team collaboration and adaptability to dynamic project needs. Skilled in problem-solving, process optimization, and technical analysis.

Overview

20
20
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education

Work History

Solar Engineering Consultant

Bureau Veritas
Sandton
09.2025 - 05.2026
  • Provided technical consultancy on solar PV projects, ensuring compliance with IEC/ISO standards and client specifications.
  • Conducted performance assessments and energy yield analysis using PVSys and other simulation tools.
  • Reviewed and approved engineering designs, ensuring alignment with safety, quality, and sustainability requirements.
  • Supported clients during procurement and contractor evaluation, offering expert recommendations.
  • Developed and implemented quality assurance plans to maintain high standards across project phases.
  • Monitored operations at plants and provided optimization strategies to improve efficiency and reduce downtime.
  • Ensured adherence to Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) regulations during project execution.
  • Prepared technical reports and documentation for stakeholders, summarizing findings and recommendations.
  • Supported project planning and execution efforts relating to technical documentation and process development.
  • Reviewed specifications and technical manuals for compliance with ongoing operational goals and conformity to applicable regulations.

Owners Enginer

ARUP
Sandton
03.2024 - 08.2025
  • Oversaw project quality, control, scheduling, and compliance.
  • Reviewed and approved engineering designs against industry standards.
  • Assisted procurement teams in bid evaluation and supplier oversight.
  • Witnessed and approved testing and commissioning, ensuring performance standards.
  • Administered contracts and ensured adherence to HSE and quality governance.

Resident Engineer

Gibb
Johannesburg
01.2023 - 02.2024
  • Monitored construction progress, updating documents and information.
  • Wrote reports, kept thorough field notes and logged daily activities.
  • Evaluated and adjusted construction and engineering processes to maximize project efficiency, solving technical problems.
  • Reviewed design drawings and specifications with meticulous attention to detail, identifying errors or areas requiring clarification before construction commenced.

Project Manager

SGB Smit Power Matla
05.2021 - 12.2022
  • Plan and draw up a production schedule
  • Decide on and order the resources that are required and ensure stock levels remain adequate
  • Ensure that the production will be cost effective by estimating costs and negotiating and agreeing budgets with both clients and managers
  • Monitor the production processes and adjust schedules as needed
  • Monitor productivity rates and product standards and implement quality control programs
  • Organize the repair of any damaged equipment
  • Liaise with different departments, teams, and companies, e.g., suppliers, managers, clients
  • Ensure that health and safety guidelines are always followed
  • Ensure customer orders are completed on time and to budget and that quality standards and targets are met
  • Work with managers to implement the company's policies and goals
  • Collate and analyze data, putting together production reports for both factory managers and customers
  • Review worker performance and identify training needs.
  • Successfully managed multiple projects simultaneously by prioritizing tasks according to urgency, resource availability, and alignment with organizational goals.
  • Planned, designed, and scheduled phases for large projects.
  • Identified plans and resources required to meet project goals and objectives.
  • Monitored project performance to identify areas of improvement and make adjustments.
  • Monitored progress against established goals, adjusting schedules and resources as needed to keep projects on track.
  • Met project deadlines without sacrificing build quality or workplace safety.
  • Established effective communication among team members for enhanced collaboration and successful project completion.
  • Coordinated with cross-functional teams to resolve project issues and mitigate risks.
  • Managed risk assessments and implemented mitigation strategies to minimize potential issues during project execution.
  • Developed comprehensive project plans with clear timelines, milestones, and budget requirements, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality results.
  • Coordinated cross-functional teams and resolved conflicts, maintaining a positive work environment throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Prepared detailed reports on project status for stakeholders, ensuring transparency and alignment with objectives.
  • Provided detailed project status updates to stakeholders and executive management.
  • Developed strong relationships with stakeholders through regular communication updates, fostering trust and confidence in the team''s ability to deliver results.

Category Manager

Solar, ACDC Dynamics
09.2020 - 01.2021
  • Analyzing the category and current strategy and highlighting areas of weaknesses or conflicting messages to both the National Sales Manager as well as the Managing Director as and when required
  • Creating a sustainable “category plan” which encompasses a category strategy and ensuring all aspects of the product or company's marketing and activities align with the ethos and goals of the category prescribed by both the external category supplier as well as ACDC Dynamics
  • Sourcing suppliers and products that fit with the context of the category
  • Creating an enduring category message that results in increased sales, brand loyalty and improving market share
  • Championing the category internally, making sure all elements of the company understand the category and its goals
  • Realistic forecasting of sales and volume for the category ensuring all departments of the company are geared accordingly by means of timeous notification
  • Working closely with all parts of the company to ensure commercial goals of the category are met
  • Developing and sustaining strong working relationships with all stakeholders
  • Presenting the category plan to your National Sales Manager, Managing Director, Category Principle as well as Sales and Marketing teams at internal meetings and conferences
  • Partnering with internal ACDC structures like the marketing department thus ensuring budgets are met
  • Seek out new marketing opportunities that fit with the category and maximizing all opportunities for growth
  • Supporting the sales force with general operations to help reach the team’s objectives
  • Managing several assigned accounts and often being the face of the company to many clients
  • Building new business relationships using existing industry contacts
  • Giving sales presentations to high-level executives
  • Understanding the marketplace and customer needs to advise in product development.

Electrical Site Engineer / Supervisor

RINA Consulting
10.2019 - 09.2020
  • Garop Wind Farm)
  • Ensuring, with support of Safety and Environment Manager, the implementation of safety and hygiene provisions in the workplace and environmental protection, in compliance with local legislation
  • Assuring the compliance of electrical works performed with Issued for Construction (IFC) Design, Technical Specification, contractual requirements, quality, local laws, and site sustainability
  • Monitoring and tracking the progress of electrical works activities, promptly detecting eventual criticalities or delays, and proceeding in problem solving by coordinating with Site Manager\Coordinator, in order to reach schedule objectives defined
  • Performing the measurement and classification of work executed and the compilation of the booklets of measurements and accounting (services entry sheet) required for the payment release
  • Implementing Quality Control Plan on site, attending to the test execution when needed, and checking test reports and field data to assure quality requirement are being met
  • Detecting possible non-conformities during the works activities, promptly informing the Site Manager\Coordinator, and supporting him in Non-Conformity Report opening and problem solving
  • Supporting the Site Coordinator by ensuring the implementation of Design Change and Non-Conformity resolution during construction and assembly activities
  • Supervise all electrical subcontractors on site to meet technical and quality requirements set forth in electrical drawings and specifications
  • Responsible for reporting and monitoring tracking or electrical activities relating to project schedule
  • Assist the on-site construction team in resolving technical or engineering issues with vendors and contractors relating to Client’s electrical disciplines
  • Monitor the progress and determine if works are going according to the schedule

PV Technologist

05.2015 - 09.2019
  • Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
  • PV Technology Market and State-of-Research Intelligence
  • Observing global trends in PV research, development, and innovation (RDI) and drawing conclusions for the CSIR’s own PV RDI activities and roadmaps
  • This include Observe global market trends with respect to PV fundamental research (materials level), and with respect to PV cell demonstrators, achieved highest efficiency levels, methods applied to commercialize lab findings, etc
  • Observe global market trends with respect to PV module efficiencies on commercial markets, cost, and efficiency roadmaps of major PV module players and with respect to PV equipment manufacturer’s offerings, cost roadmaps, global PV manufacturing capacities, etc
  • Observe global market trends with respect to PV system performance (Performance Ratio), latest trends in PV system design, integration into power systems
  • Laboratory Testing
  • Define the scope of designing and operating laboratories for indoor testing and manage external partner’s / service providers that might support CSIR in these efforts
  • Define testing offerings for all PV technologies (crystalline and thin film)
  • Lead the conducting of tests according to IEC standards and analyze results
  • Define the scope of designing and operating laboratories for outdoor testing and manage external partner’s / service providers that might support CSIR in these efforts
  • Build and operate test facilities in partnership with private companies within CSIR
  • Acquire relevant electrical and meteorological data in high resolution
  • Conduct performance and operation measurement of PV modules and systems (e.g., temperature coefficients, potential-induced degradation)
  • Define criteria for long-term stability of modules, design tests and measure accordingly
  • Conduct reliability research to predict lifetime of PV modules, components, and systems in the field
  • Test performance and reliability of solar modules, components and systems and assess whether issuing 3rd party reports and certificates is a viable offering for the CSIR Test systems that include PV as the primary energy source, e.g., standalone, or grid-connected solar-pumping systems, and derive requirements on the solar-driven components
  • Summarize findings in concise, to-the-point presentations and reports
  • Ad-hoc research on solar PV outdoor testing
  • CSIR Owned PV Plants Construction
  • Review specifications and recommend engineering or manufacturing changes to achieve solar design objectives
  • Provide technical direction or support to installation teams during installation, start-up, testing, system commissioning, or performance monitoring
  • Perform computer simulation of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation system performance or energy production to optimize efficiency
  • Conduct feasibility study on local grid and system planning
  • Issuing and evaluating the tenders of the four currently running owned CSIR PV plants 558kWp – Single axis tracker 203kWp – Dual axis tracker 250kWp – Rooftop 1MWp - Rooftop
  • Analysis of energy consumption, performance, and quality of supply regarding grid code specifications
  • Operation and maintenance (develop our own Best O&M Practices)

Project Engineer

Sunedison
03.2014 - 12.2014
  • Projects Completed : Boshoff Solar Park (60MW), Soutpan&Witkop Solar Park (28 & 30MW), Rosherville Eskom R&D PV Plant (250kW)
  • Identifying requirements to meet the project delivery schedules and in determining solutions if any
  • Handle responsibilities of providing technical guidance to the staff in power system startup and commissioning
  • Co-ordination with design and engineering team for providing on site supervision and technical support on construction works
  • Coordinate with main /sub-contractors; monitor their performance in view of project schedule
  • Review of electrical designs and oversee the factory/site acceptance test
  • Responsible for conducting performance analysis to provide long term performance of systems
  • Ensuring quality grid integration and grid compliance
  • Perform operation and maintenance of power systems to ensure quality control
  • Responsible for analyzing project development documents and provide recommendations, if required

Commissioning Engineer

Soitec Solar
05.2013 - 02.2014
  • Projects Completed : Touwsrivier CPV Plant (36MW)
  • Train technicians and contractors with quality assurance and coach the staff on how to assemble the tracker system
  • Train customers on the operation of the CPV tracker system and wiring up the Tracker Control Unit and flash in the parameters
  • Prove and check correct assembly of the equipment and doing module and 4Q sensor alignment
  • Perform IV curve testing and supervise the module alignment for the tracker system, configure IP address and prove communications to our local SCADA systems
  • Commissioning of the newly build 11kV/132kV substation and oversee the grid compliance testing

Commissioning Engineer

Wandies Technical Services, WTS
03.2012 - 04.2013
  • Receiving work orders, from City Power, and dispatch technicians/electricians to execute the jobs
  • Performing feasibility studies and recommendations prior to commencement of projects
  • Be part of the outage planning for the distribution network within Johannesburg region
  • Liaise with project leaders and be part of the Project Management meetings
  • Supervise and witness test being performed on scheduled outages (OC,EF, ARC, Inter-tripping)
  • Bring together technical reports and recommendations on defective equipment’s
  • Accountable for IED settings and system fault calculations and prove functionality of the logics
  • Performing standby shifts to attend to all electrical protection trips/alarms or any other malfunction of equipment’s
  • Doing inspection on all the substations on weekly basis and report back
  • Order, purchase, receiving and installation of new equipment’s
  • Scheduling and conducting safety meetings
  • Maintain good relations with clients and subcontractors.

Senior Commissioning and Protection Technician

Eskom Generation
12.2010 - 02.2012
  • Performing onsite test on High voltage equipment’s on both generation and transmission
  • Modifying of drawings and ensure approval from the mod-committee
  • Designing new protection panels for the refurbishment project in the station and adherence to project budgets for design and commissioning
  • Taking part in outage maintenance on the power station, HV rooms, generator panels, diesel generator; transmission yard and outside plant
  • Responsible for dumping new setting into protection relays and ensures functionality
  • Testing of new mini-subs, and auxiliary transformers for Medupi Power Station
  • Performing standby shifts to attend to all electrical protection trips/alarms or any other malfunction of equipment’s
  • Performing generator test before synchronized to the nation grid
  • Performing monthly maintenance on the units, and compiling protection operated reports (POR) on all genuine trips
  • Witnessing factory acceptance test (FAT) in accordance with Eskom standards
  • On site commissioning of protection and control systems and primary electrical plant associated with projects being completed in this field
  • Assist and train newly appointed trainees.

Electrical Protection Technician

Powertech IST
09.2008 - 11.2010
  • Commissioning of turnkey (new) substations and upgrading old substations, commissioned projects for these clients, Sasol Synfuels, eThekwini municipal, City Power, eKhuruleni municipal, Tshwane municipal, Rand water, Eskom
  • Knowledge and interpreting electrical drawings, logics, and relays settings/ configuration
  • Installation and commissioning of protection schemes on customer sites
  • Test protection relays returned to Powertech-IST for repair and file fault reports to the customers and manufacture
  • Interpret and compile commission test reports
  • Performing commissioning tests on high voltage equipment and associated equipment
  • Ensure that quality standards are maintained and adhered to
  • Fault finding and commissioning of high voltage equipment control panels as per drawings on site
  • Liaise with customers to arrange site access for the commissioning of high voltage equipment
  • Maintain good relations with clients and subcontractors

Technician

South African Bureau of Standards, SABS
06.2006 - 08.2008
  • Conducts test and technical activities in the facility
  • Execute maintenance of the plant and updating maintenance files
  • Witnessing routine tests for transformers
  • Calibrating of machinery in the laboratory
  • Setting up the timer, data capture system, receivers, and transmitters of the plant for every test to be conducted
  • Running up and barring of the machines using PLC/SCADA systems
  • Drafting quotations in accordance with NETFA quality systems
  • Testing accessories such as prefabricated mini-substation, high voltage switches, ring main unit RMU, switchgear, power & distribution transformers, current transformers
  • Performing tests such as short circuit, temperature rise, internal arcing, breaking, and making capacity etc.

Education

National Diploma - Electrical Engineering

Tshwane South College
01.2004 - 01.2007

Grade 12 –Senior Certificate - undefined

Mahwibitswane High School
01.1999 - 01.2003

Skills

On-site inspection management

Safety management

Feasibility studies

Engineering design

Time management

Problem-solving

Decision-making

Site survey

Engineering software proficiency

Electrical engineering standards

Timeline

Solar Engineering Consultant

Bureau Veritas
09.2025 - 05.2026

Owners Enginer

ARUP
03.2024 - 08.2025

Resident Engineer

Gibb
01.2023 - 02.2024

Project Manager

SGB Smit Power Matla
05.2021 - 12.2022

Category Manager

Solar, ACDC Dynamics
09.2020 - 01.2021

Electrical Site Engineer / Supervisor

RINA Consulting
10.2019 - 09.2020

PV Technologist

05.2015 - 09.2019

Project Engineer

Sunedison
03.2014 - 12.2014

Commissioning Engineer

Soitec Solar
05.2013 - 02.2014

Commissioning Engineer

Wandies Technical Services, WTS
03.2012 - 04.2013

Senior Commissioning and Protection Technician

Eskom Generation
12.2010 - 02.2012

Electrical Protection Technician

Powertech IST
09.2008 - 11.2010

Technician

South African Bureau of Standards, SABS
06.2006 - 08.2008

National Diploma - Electrical Engineering

Tshwane South College
01.2004 - 01.2007

Grade 12 –Senior Certificate - undefined

Mahwibitswane High School
01.1999 - 01.2003

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Gaoshitwe Lekoloane