Electrical Engineer

About Ampersand

Ampersand is Africa’s emobility pioneer. Ampersand provides electric motorcycles and charging infrastructure (battery swap stations), uniquely tailored to serve half of Africa’s road fleet: Commercial motorcycle taxi and delivery drivers. Moto taxis are a primary means of public transport in African cities, and it is estimated that these drivers spend >$6Bn p.a. on gasoline in East Africa alone. Ampersand has developed an electric solution that is more powerful, fun to drive, and cost-effective than the incumbent. Ampersand drivers routinely earn over 30% more income by going electric.

The company started in Kigali, Rwanda, and expanded into Nairobi, Kenya in 2022. Today it has around 5,000 e-motorcycles on the road and 58 battery swap stations across the two countries. Ampersand is leading the market in quality, affordable tech, customer traction, and operational systems. The Ampersand team consists of 500+ staff drawn from diverse backgrounds and is working hard to see all 5 million taxi motorbikes in East Africa become electric by 2030. Ampersand is rapidly scaling its operations and is looking for innovative professionals who are passionate about clean energy and environmental impact to lead and contribute to our rapid growth.

Ampersand values innovation, creativity, and continuous improvement. It seeks people who are proactive problem solvers to drive results. Ampersand promotes leadership within the organization and is a place where you can grow your career as you work with some of the brightest and most hard-working individuals in East Africa.

Our Values

● Customer-centric Everyday: We prioritize our customers daily, tailoring solutions to exceed expectations.

● Challenge The Status Quo Through Innovation: Our dedicated teams constantly challenge the status quo, driving innovation to enhance customer experiences and deliver solutions that go beyond expectations

● Love Solving Problems Together: Internal collaboration is our approach; we thrive on solving challenges alongside our customers.

● Stay Agile: We stay agile to swiftly meet dynamic customer needs and adapt to a changing landscape.

● Driven By People And Planet: Beyond business, we're committed to people and the planet, ensuring a positive impact.

About the role

The Electrical Engineer will play a critical role in designing, implementing, and maintaining the electrical systems for our battery swap network. Supervising a team of 3 electrical technicians, this position involves optimizing power consumption, enhancing solar efficiency, collaborating with energy providers, and ensuring a robust and reliable electrical infrastructure,

Key Responsibilities:

● Design and implement electrical systems to enhance network efficiency and reliability.

● Monitor power consumption efficiency and identify areas for improvement.

● Act as the primary contact with KPLC for meter applications, system design requirements, and billing inquiries.

● Supervise 3 electrical technicians to ensure maximum uptime for our battery charging network

● Monitor and improve solar energy uptake and the efficiency of installed solar facilities.

● Develop and maintain a reliable and robust electrical network across all operational sites.

● Collaborate with internal teams, including civil engineers and technicians, to support new site installations and maintenance.

● Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to solar systems and electrical infrastructure.

● Oversee the installation of transformers and liaise with KPLC during power connections and maintenance.

● Ensure compliance with safety regulations and best practices for all electrical systems.

Minimum requirements:

● Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.

● Licensed Electrical Engineer with EPRA certification.

● Solar PV Technician certification (T2 or T3) from EPRA

● Proven experience in electrical system design and project management, ideally within the energy, infrastructure, or renewable sectors.

● Hands-on experience with solar energy systems, including troubleshooting and optimizing solar performance.

● Extensive experience working with KPLC, either directly or as a contractor, with a strong professional network and in-depth understanding of KPLC processes and requirements.

● Demonstrated experience with transformer installations and coordination with KPLC teams.

● Strong technical knowledge of power distribution, metering systems, and energy efficiency.

● Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.

● Proficient in relevant software tools for electrical design and analysis.

Timing

ASAP

Compensation:

A competitive compensation package commensurate with local market rates and experience including health insurance.

Job location

This role will be based in Nairobi, Kenya

Are you interested?

Interested candidates should send their CVs and cover letters to recruitment@ampersand.solar Please indicate the position name in the subject line. Qualified candidates will be contacted within two weeks.