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A leading IPP is seeking a highly technical Operational Data Analyst for a role in Cape Town (with occasional travel to renewable energy power plant sites). This role is responsible for in-depth data analysis and performance management of renewable energy assets, leveraging advanced data analytics to optimise operations, minimise downtime, and maximise energy output. The Engineer will provide technical support to the Remote Operations Centre (ROC) and on-site teams, focusing on SCADA/DCS systems, maintenance management, and new power plant integration.

Key Responsibilities:

Design, develop, maintain, and manage data management and acquisition systems.Utilise IoT integration tools and protocols (e.g., MQTT, OPC-UA) for data flow within the IDMS.Perform IDMS maintenance and execute component/asset on-boarding (integration).Assist in developing/automating centralised data management and storage systems (data warehousing, ETL).Develop asset monitoring and management features (KPIs, dashboards, alerting).Provide technical support on DCS/SCADA and I&C systems (configuration, troubleshooting, optimization).Support O&M systems implementation into the ERP (data integration, work-flow automation).Develop and improve data automation systems for performance management and compliance reporting (scripting, ETL).Identify and analyse SCADA, data collection and automation systems for 3rd party integration (APIs, data exchange).Perform asset performance management (data availability, under-performance insights, trends, statistical analysis, visualisation).Trigger investigations based on performance reports and support RCA.Develop performance and event identification analyses (anomaly detection, predictive maintenance models).Track maintenance projects and develop reporting systems (automated).Investigate asset performance, event identification, maintenance triggers, and escalate issues.Execute cross-functional projects, providing technical expertise and data analysis.Investigate feasibility and contribute to improvement projects (business cases, ROI analysis).Develop and improve monitoring screens (HMI, data visualisation).Drive initiatives for site operations improvement (data quality, system reliability audits).

Requirements:

BEng in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related (emphasis on data analytics).3 years' experience in renewable energy (solar PV, wind), with a focus on power plant operations/maintenance and data analysis/performance optimisation. Proficiency in SQL (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL), data science (statistical modelling, machine learning), Industrial data management systems (e.g., AVEVA PI), performance analysis systems, Python, and MS Office. Competency in troubleshooting and analysing data (statistical process control, time series analysis, regression analysis).Knowledge of industrial network data communications, client/server and hardware/software architectures (TCP/IP, Ethernet, fieldbus).Experience with industrial management systems (SCADA, DCS, HMI configuration/administration). Programming: Python (Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn), R, SQL, C++. SQL and Data Architecture: Scalable data architectures, data modelling, database design, data warehousing. Algorithm Development: Algorithms for complex analytics (optimisation, statistical modelling). Machine Learning: Supervised/unsupervised learning, neural networks, deep learning (model selection, training, evaluation).

Data Analysis and Visualisation: Data visualisation tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI), reports, dashboards, presentations.

Advantageous:

Certification in data science, machine learning.Experience with ERP/CMMS (e.g., SAP, IFS), data integration, and reporting.Experience with AVEVA PI or similar data historian/performance analysis systems.