Job Opportunities
Hydro Engineer
1. The Role
The sister company of Tradelink Solutions Limited, TLS Hydropower Limited, is looking to appoint a talented, experienced operations manager to oversee its portfolio of hydro assets. The job will entail monitoring, maintaining and optimising the generation of ten hydroelectric schemes located in Scotland and the North of England. This position supervises two full time and a number of part time staff members. TLS Hydropower forms part of the TLS Energy group whose head office is in Rickmansworth near Watford so travel between the South of England and Scotland will be a regular feature of this role. Work location could be in Scotland or Rickmansworth depending upon the person but flexibility to travel and a willingness and availability to spend time in both locations is essential. The core of the job is to optimise the performance of the stations through organising and carrying out maintenance and improvements. The successful candidate would be expected to make regular reports to the TLS Energy board. Over time the job could expand to include business development, as TLS Energy look to acquire existing hydro sites, or other projects in the renewables sector. Should the environment in the industry change then the role could also develop into project development of new hydro sites. The role reports to the board of Directors and is a responsible role with significant scope to impact the performance of the company.
2. The Company
TLS Hydropower is a wholly owned subsidiary of TLS Energy which is owned by Bob and Pat Middleton. TLS Hydropower was formed in 1999 and has grown steadily through the refurbishment and construction of ten hydro power stations. The generating capacity of these stations is about 5.5MW with an annual turnover of over £2million. The stations vary in size from 100kw up to 1.2MW. The group also owns a small 225kw wind turbine in Scotland. While the removal of support schemes for new renewables has reduced the opportunity to build new sites, TLS Energy continue to review a number of potential acquisitions to further expand its activities in the UK and Europe.
3. The Person
The Company is looking for a qualified engineer. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate an interest in the management and improvement of hydroelectric schemes and the potential to make an instant impact on ongoing success of the business. They will be able to demonstrate a willingness to work alongside and to manage the current team and the ability to build and maintain constructive relationships with site workers, regulatory authorities and suppliers as required. The person must be capable of initiating and implementing a work programme for the existing projects and of developing improvements.
4. Qualifications
A degree (at least a 2:1) in Engineering, ideally with an electrical or mechanical focus.
5. Knowledge and Experience
A minimum of 5 years’ first-hand experience of the development and ongoing management of significant engineering projects – ideally you should have experience of hydroelectric projects but this is not absolutely essential. An understanding of the commercial side to renewable projects would be desirable but is not essential.
6. Skills and personal attributes
The applicant will need to demonstrate that they can solve problems that arise from operating multiple projects. They will be expected to use their initiative and be happy to work with limited supervision. They will need to have experience of managing a small team, ideally one where some members were managed remotely. They will also have a successful track record of building and maintaining constructive relationships with third parties.
7. Additional attributes
TLS Energy are seeking to expand its portfolio of renewable electricity projects in Europe. Fluency in a foreign language(s) and experience of working overseas would therefore be an advantage. As would knowledge of wind and solar projects.
8. Remuneration
Salary will depend upon experience, and a number of other factors. We currently envisage the starting salary to be £35-50k with the potential to grow depending upon personal success and performance. The company operates a pension scheme and currently matches personal contributions up to 5%.
9. For further information and to apply
For an informal discussion of this role, please contact Bob Middleton on 01923 713843 or email middleton@tradelinksolutions.com. To apply, please email middleton@tradelinksolutions.com. When applying, please include a copy of your CV; a letter of application explaining your interest in this position and your suitability; and a note of your current salary.
