Business Development/Sales Engineer (m/w/d)

Job Description

3E seeks a Sales Engineer to drive technical sales and client success in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on Southern, Western, Central, and Eastern regions. This role combines technical expertise with commercial acumen, emphasizing proposal development, tender management, and client engagement to expand 3E’s consultancy solutions. As such, you are the main point of contact with the key stakeholders in Sub-Saharan Africa renewable energy market, proactively identifying, pursuing and landing new opportunities to achieve the ambitious growth expected for 3E’s Consultancy business.

The position will be based in Cape Town, with eventually some travel nationally and internationally.

This role prioritizes 3E’s Technical Consultancy Services, with SaaS sales being a complementary component of the position

The ideal candidate has a background within the wind and/or solar business (including hybrid and BESS systems), brings an existing network, a proven track-record of successful business development and sales, and is heavily committed to further growing the 3E business with an innovative mindset.

Requirements

• You are a technically skilled communicator passionate about renewable energy, with a knack for crafting winning proposals and navigating complex tenders.
• You balance Business Development (lead generation) and Sales (contract signing) beautifully and thrive in an international and dynamic organisation.
• You hold an Engineering degree (Electrical, Sales, Renewable Energy, or related field).
• Your verbal and written communication skills in English and other languages are top-notch.
• Excellent understanding of the renewable energy sector, with an extensive network, notably IPP’s, project developers, lenders and investment funds.
• 3+ years in technical sales or sales engineering, with 1+ years in renewable energy (solar, wind, BESS, or hybrid systems).
• Proven experience in writing proposals and managing national/international tenders (public and private sectors).
• Deep understanding of REIPPPP and utility-scale project lifecycle (development, financing, construction, operation).
• Fluency in English; French/Portuguese is a plus.
• You come with project management skills to support colleagues through the execution of business development, especially during the hand-over phase after signature of the contract.
• Proficiency in CRM tools (e.g., HubSpot) and tender platforms.
• Ability to distil technical concepts into compelling commercial narratives.

What you will be doing

1. Sales Engineer- Proposal & Tender Leadership (70% initial focus):

   • Prepare technical-economic proposals for private/public tenders, RFPs, and RFIs, including South Africa’s REIPPPP and international bids. Dedicate significant time in the initial months to preparing technical-economic proposals, ensuring a deep understanding of 3E’s services and alignment with client needs.
   • Tender Management: Lead the writing, submission, and organization of private/public tenders (national and international), including RFPs, RFIs, and bids offering 3E services
   • Ensure compliance with tender requirements, deadlines, and documentation standards.
   • Organize and submit bids for utility-scale projects, C&I, collaborating with Engineering and Legal teams.

2. Business Development (30% initial focus):

   • Leverage knowledge of Sub-Saharan Africa’s renewable energy dynamics, including REIPPPP requirements, financing, and project lifecycle (development to operation).
   • Identifying most relevant opportunities in the solar and wind market for 3E’s consultancy service in the African sub-Saharan region
   • Attend conferences and engage stakeholders (IPPs, developers, lenders) to uncover opportunities.
   • Lead and mentor a business development team, providing guidance and support.
   • Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for business development efforts.
   • Regularly monitor and report on progress against KPIs, adjusting strategies as needed.
   • Utilize CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems and other technology tools to manage and track business development activities.

3. Client Engagement & Technical Sales:

   • Act as a technical advisor, delivering tailored demos of Consultancy solutions to address client challenges.
   • Follow up with existing clients to identify upselling opportunities and ensure smooth handover to Operations.
   • Follow up with existing clients to identify upselling opportunities and ensure smooth handover to Operations post-contract.

Benefits

In addition to joining a fast-growing international company that promotes a stimulating atmosphere in a highly motivated group of people, 3E offers a unique opportunity to further develop yourself in a company/team with an ambitious growth plan, delivering innovative services.

Furthermore:

• Salary in line with your level of experience
• Salary package: laptop, medical aid allowance, phone allowance, 18 leave days (24 after 1 year of service), 13th check (prorated, end of year), coverage of professional hotel & travel costs, company mobile phone & subscription.
• Career grow potential within a fast-expanding company
• Flexible working /Home office.
• An international environment with projects in over 100 countries worldwide and colleagues of more than 35 nationalities.