Senior Development Engineer (Noise)

OVERALL OBJECTIVES:
To deliver the necessary technical support enabling the growth and diversification of the renewable energy business, with a particular focus on noise and related topics.
Delivering added value to the company via the project team set up, through the varying phases of development; prospects, planning application, due diligence, construction and where required operational sites.
KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Reporting to the Head of Technical (HoT) carry out the following duties for projects as directed:
1
Initial Project assessment
Helping the Business Team identify and secure profitable and deliverable development opportunities through to Key Review B, including:
· Providing technical assistance and advice to the OnPath Business and Project teams including, where agreed, providing initial outline site designs considering and highlighting all known design constraints and at all times seeking to help optimise the opportunity.
· Site visits and procurement of information including but not limited to; Access routes, ground conditions, yield output, radar and aviation constraints, Telecommunications links etc leading to an understanding of the site design constraints.
· Preparing briefs for formal appointments and liaising with external consultants to identify efficient and practical future programmes of work, with defined scope, potential costs, risks and benefits.
· Reviewing consultants’ proposals, reports etc in relation to compliance with brief and overall work requirements, ensuring completion within agreed program and budget.
· Participation in project reviews to advise on the interpretation of technical information and assessment of risk, including provision of technical reports for Key Review A and B where applicable.
· Agreeing key technical issues for resolution with the respective project managers and agreeing programme to resolution, monitoring and correcting performance where necessary.
2
Project development :
Support to the Renewables Projects teams, where directed by the HoT, to ensure satisfactory support for the development of projects through to pre-construction stage, this service to include:
· Ensuring best commercial value is achieved through site design, considering all known design constraints, including non-technical considerations.
· Instructing and managing in house team members and external consultants in completion of designs and / or assessments.
· Provision of detailed costings, consistent with the level of progress of the project to the project team in an agreed format.
· Devising and delivering strategies to obtain all necessary technical approvals and consents in line with agreed project programmes.
· As directed, representing the company in discussions to obtain necessary agreements and consents from 3rd parties e.g. aviation authorities, highway authorities, environment agency etc.
· Attending public exhibitions and providing technical input to public consultations
· Participation in project reviews to advise on the interpretation of technical information and external stakeholder engagement and assessment of risk, including provision of technical reports for Key Review stages C through to E2 where applicable
· Highlighting as soon as practicable to the respective project manager key technical risks and opportunities for consideration.
· Ensuring all technical risks are managed and successfully resolved prior to Key Review E2 to allow the project to progress to the operational phase or to be readied for the sale of the site where appropriate.
3
Project Delivery
– On specific agreed projects
· Liaising with the internal and external delivery team to resolve outstanding technical issues and confirm performance parameters, programmes and budgets prior to commitment of projects.
· Where directed by the HoT/TM, ensure all technical matters are resolved to allow the award of Balance of Plant and Technology Contracts to the agreed project programmes and within the agreed project parameters.
· Ensure all technical matters are resolved sufficient to allow Financial Close to complete on projects to the respective project programme.
· Assisting the HoT/TM to ensure aviation solutions are implemented in accordance with the Business Plan.
· Where directed, providing support to the Operations team on the operational portfolio.
4
Technical Management
· Attending monthly management, technical review and other Renewables meetings as required.
· Attending conferences and/or working groups as requested.
· Production of non-project specific technical reports as required by the HoT.
· All external work to be instructed in line with Company policies and best practice industry standards and relevant legislation.
· The OnPath Health and Safety Plan, the Health and Safety systems and all relevant Health and Safety legislation and guidance (internal and external) to be adhered to on all external appointments and at all times in carrying out duties.
5
Technical Expertise
Support the team and wider business on noise related topics, including, but not limited to:
· Understanding of noise generation in relation to battery, solar and wind technologies.
· Knowledge of measurement and modelling industry best practices and local and international standards.
· Knowledge of planning system, the setting of noise related planning conditions and how to interact with planners and Environmental Health Officers.
· Knowledge of the process of dealing with construction and operational noise complaints for battery, solar and wind sites.
· Interpretation of background noise modelling results and setting strategy and budget for prospects sites.
· Knowledge of cumulative impacts.
· Knowledge of mitigations solutions and related costs.
· Setting and reviewing scopes for work to be carried out by consultants.
· Reviewing and critiquing reports received from consultants.
· Reviewing and critiquing EIA chapters written by consultants.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
RENEWABLES DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER
QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE :
Degree in an engineering related discipline
Post graduate diploma in Acoustics and Noise Control
Member of Institute of Acoustics (MIOA)
Experience within the renewable energy/engineering industry
Experience of dealing with all aspects of noise modelling, monitoring, liaison with the planning system and noise complaints.
Knowledge of renewable energy technologies.
Knowledge of the Industry H&S safety policies and CDM.
Experience of design and build contracts and NEC (or equivalent)
Experience of public engagement initiatives
Proven experience of dealing with local authorities and statutory stakeholders
Understanding and track record of working to the relevant industry core values
PERSONAL QUALITIES/COMPETENCIES:
If you want to know about the requirements for this role, read on for all the relevant information.
Ability to work strategically, and able to manage day to day details.
Ability to manage work programmes to critical deadlines.
Strong influencing skills, persuading third parties to think progressively in a rules-dominated industry, and effectively managing expectations of all internal stakeholders regarding project deliverability and risks.
Proven ability to partner with internal customers, partners and stakeholders in a manner that results in mutually positive outcomes and credibility.
Effective management skills: an ability to motivate and lead teams; astute training and development, and effective recruitment.
Effective communication and influencing skills: concise report writing, the ability to communicate and persuade individuals as to the merits of a particular transaction.
Ability to role model actions and behaviours consistent with the company values.
Good judgement, showing logical decision making and attention to detail.
Confident, a self-starter, with the ability to operate in a dynamic challenging environment.
A good team player capable of delivering excellent results under pressure and to strict deadlines.
A positive ‘can do’ enthusiastic attitude towards addressing the technical challenges facing OnPath energy Limited.
High personal resilience when promoting changes to the status quo.
Capable of independent thought and prepared to challenge current practice.
Strong influencing skills in ensuring the organisation supports the HSE and Operations plans.
Enthusiasm for development of knowledge.
ESSENTIAL
Degree in an engineering related discipline
Post graduate diploma in Acoustics and Noise Control
· Member of Institute of Acoustics (MIOA)
Experience of dealing with all aspects of noise modelling, monitoring, liaison with the planning system and noise complaints.
Full UK Driving Licence
Knowledge of Health and Safety policies and CDM
Experience within the renewable energy engineering industry
DESIRABLE:
Experience of construction sites.
An understanding of construction practicalities.
Enthusiasm for development of knowledge of energy generation and storge technologies.
Experience of design and build contracts and NEC (or equivalent)
Commercial and supply chain awareness and management of appointments
Experience writing engineering risk management report/registers
Ability to produce robust budget estimates for project cashflows
Ability to carry out wind yield assessments.