Director of Engineering & Grid Solutions (f/m/d)

Director of Engineering & Grid Solutions (f/m/d)

Location(s):

Essen, NW, DE, 45141 Swindon, Wiltshire, GB, SN5 6PB London, City of London, GB, EC2R 8HP Hamburg, HH, DE, 20354

RWE Renewables Europe & Australia GmbH

To start as soon as possible, full time, permanent

About the Role

As Director of Engineering, you will provide technical strategic leadership and governance across the full renewable portfolio — Onshore Wind, Solar PV, and Battery Energy Storage. In addition you are accountable to set-up and drive OPEAs Grid Management covering grid strategy as well as execution.

As a member of the OPEA Senior Management Team, you will ensure that engineering excellence, grid integration, innovation, and technical assurance underpin all investment and portfolio decisions.

The role combines strategic influence (Board and Investment Committee engagement, portfolio governance, partner alignment) with technical accountability (standards, design, and grid connection), ensuring RWEs assets are designed, built, and operated following the existing safety and sustainability standards with the focus on full life cycle cost optimization

Your Tasks

Lead the overall engineering strategy, governance, and delivery framework for all Onshore, Solar PV and BESS technologies in Europe and Australia

Ensure engineering delivery excellence across the full lifecycle—from development through construction, commissioning, and operations

Define and maintain engineering standards, processes, and tools that ensure safety, quality, lifecycle cost optimisation through design

Ensure efficient quality management of equipment installed at OPEAs future build projects by supplier prequalification and non-conformity management for OPEAs construction projects

Drive grid strategy and delivery, ensuring early identification and influencing of grid-related regulatory developments, evaluation of related impact to OPEA Business, early engagement with TSOs/DSOs as well as forward looking input to support development pipeline steering considering grid linked market changes, optimal connection design, and effective integration of assets into the wider system.

Provide executive technical and grid guidance to investment decisions, partnerships, and divestments, ensuring robust technical due Diligence

Lead and develop a diverse, high-performing engineering & grid solutions team, promoting inclusion and continuous improvement

Represent Engineering and Grid Strategy at Board and executive reviews, clearly communicating risks, opportunities, and recommendations

Drive continuous improvement through benchmarking, lessons learned, and best-practice sharing across markets

Your Profile

Degree in Engineering or relevant Business related topic

12–15+ years of senior leadership in renewables, energy, or infrastructure

Strong record in building collaboration across departments and engagement with boards and committees

Proven experience in grid connection strategy and delivery at a portfolio level

Track record of leading large, diverse teams across geographies and technologies

Skilled in managing senior internal & external stakeholders, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships

Fluent in English; additional European language(s) advantageous

Excellent communication skills

Proven track record in leading teams through transitional industry environments

Willingness to travel regularly across Europe

Your Benefits

We aim to make your time with us as rewarding as possible by fostering a supportive and inclusive environment. Alongside competitive pay and opportunities for growth, we care about your well-being and the balance between work and life. Our benefits include: