The Technical Product Specialist is responsible for assessing the technical feasibility of new products, technologies and vendors. The role supports Innovation by validating whether product ideas are technically possible, operationally practical and commercially sensible. This role works closely with the Head of Innovation, the Commercial Intelligence & Data Specialist, Engineering, Finance and the central Modelling Committee.
Position of the job in the organisation:
The Technical Product Specialist will report directly to the Head of Innovation.
Principal responsibilities:Technical Due Diligence
- Conduct technical due diligence on new products, technologies and solution concepts.
- Assess feasibility, implementation requirements, risks and constraints.
- Provide recommendations to support product development decisions.
Technology Evaluation & Integration
- Evaluate technologies, vendors and platforms for suitability within SolarAfrica's environment.
- Assess integration requirements and identify dependencies, risks and technical blockers.
- Recommend practical and scalable technical solutions.
Technical Modelling & Validation
- Develop and maintain technical models to validate feasibility and key assumptions.
- Support early-stage business cases and product concepts with technical input.
- Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to align technical and commercial assumptions.
Innovation & Product Development
- Support product development from concept through MVP and scaling.
- Contribute to technical assessments, validation activities and decision-making processes.
- Ensure technical assumptions, risks and requirements are clearly documented.
Technical Advisory
- Translate technical considerations into clear commercial insights.
- Provide guidance on trade-offs between cost, performance, risk and scalability.
- Support strategic and operational decision-making with technical expertise.
Regulatory and policy intelligence
- Own regulatory and policy intelligence for Innovation's product portfolio.
- Assess commercial and product impacts of new regulations and policies.
- Translate regulatory change into opportunities and strategic recommendations.
Experience & Skills
- Degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Industrial or Energy Engineering.
- 3–5 years' engineering, technical product, renewable energy or technology experience.
- Experience conducting technical feasibility assessments.
- Experience evaluating technologies, products or vendors.
- Strong understanding of renewable energy technologies, product feasibility, technical modelling and integration requirements.
- Confident using digital tools, technical modelling platforms, Excel and AI-enabled tools to improve analysis, documentation and decision-making.
Specific attributes:
- Proven ability to conduct technical due diligence on products, technologies and vendors.
- Strong understanding of technical feasibility assessments and solution evaluation.
- Ability to develop and interpret technical models to support decision-making.
- Demonstrated problem-solving skills in complex technical environments.
- Ability to prepare clear and concise technical reports and recommendations.
- Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Desirable attributes:
- Solar, BESS or utility-scale experience
- Product innovation experience
- Financial literacy
- Technology integration experience
- Experience supporting business cases
What Does Success Look Like?
By 3 Months
- I will understand SolarAfrica's products, technologies and operating environment.
- I will be conducting technical assessments of product concepts and opportunities.
- I will be supporting the Innovation team with technical insights and recommendations.
By 6 Months
- I will be leading technical due diligence and feasibility assessments for new initiatives.
- I will be developing technical models to support product validation and decision-making.
- I will be working closely with commercial and technical stakeholders to assess opportunities.
By 12 Months
- I will be recognised as the technical subject matter expert within the Innovation team.
- I will have helped validate and shape multiple new product opportunities.
- I will be influencing product strategy through clear technical and commercial trade-off analysis.
Core Values:
We hire, reward, and recognise our team against these values. It is imperative that you believe in these values and demonstrate them consistently.
- We are passionate and proud of what we do.
- We communicate candidly, especially when it is difficult.
- We take the initiative, share our mistakes, and grow together.
- We are dependable and take accountability.
- No one person is bigger than the solution - no egos.
We are currently only considering candidates based in South Africa with valid working rights. Unfortunately, we are unable to consider applications from outside the country at this time.
