Job Title

Senior Project Engineer

Location

Woodmead 

Primary Purpose (Role):

The Senior Project Engineer is responsible for managing the design (including preparation of drawings and specifications) and construction of mechanical engineering works, structures, and infrastructure. The ideal candidate is proactive, focused on preventing issues rather than solving them, values innovation and diversity of ideas, and is committed to project success with a positive, can-do attitude. This individual takes ownership of their personal development, possesses strong people and financial management skills, and is capable of working independently as well as collaboratively within a team. Engineering and design activities span concept, pre-feasibility, feasibility studies, EPCM, and EPC projects.

Main Responsibilities (including, but not limited to):

• Lead, coordinate, and manage all procurement, engineering, and design functions for the project
• Ensure integration of different disciplines into effective, fit-for-purpose engineering solutions
• Provide technical support throughout the project lifecycle
• Manage remeasurable contract processes
• Offer site support during construction and commissioning phases
• Oversee commissioning activities
• Manage documentation and handover procedures

Key Performance Areas (Responsibilities):

Engineering

• Ensure engineering solutions are fit for purpose and safe, with specific attention to legal SHE requirements under Clause 21 of the MHSA
• Confirm designs are constructible and operationally viable
• Apply best engineering principles, statutory regulations, codes of practise, industry norms, client specifications, and applicable procedures
• Generate and align all engineering design criteria with project scope and budget
• Ensure engineering deliverables meet customer and stakeholder expectations
• Plan and manage all engineering functions to enhance integrity and minimise rework
• Effectively manage information flow and interfaces between:
  • Engineering disciplines
  • Engineering and design office
  • Engineering and project management/support functions
  • External engineering consultants
• Develop and manage an engineering schedule aligned with project requirements and procurement timelines
• Coordinate design review meetings, monitor progress, and manage inter-disciplinary engineering activities
• Coordinate receipt of certified vendor information for the drawing office
• Conduct design reviews to monitor technical quality and ensure compliance with all requirements
• Proactively manage engineering and design risks throughout the project lifecycle, escalating serious risks as necessary

Operational Management

• Contribute to SHE matters, actively participate in and promote a culture of total safety
• Adhere to project safety procedures and support the DRA safety culture
• Manage procurement packages effectively in line with project schedules
• Ensure project quality is maintained in accordance with the project quality plan or specific requirements
• Provide timely and quality technical/engineering input for procurement package compilation and management
• Define, obtain approval for, and manage engineering scopes of work and deliverable schedules to meet project and corporate standards for engineering and costing accuracy
• Manage changes to engineering scope via formal change control systems, ensuring impacts on schedule, cost, and quality are assessed, communicated, approved, and recorded
• Support the construction team by:
  • Resolving engineering-related queries
  • Determining and managing construction-related quality control requirements
  • Attending site during construction completion and commissioning phases
  • Facilitating vendor involvement for installation approvals
  • Assisting with commissioning activities

Financial Management

• Manage personal and design/draughting budget man-hours
• Ensure designs conform to capital budgets and quantity estimates
• Manage capital budgets allocated per discipline or procurement package
• Apply suitable contract management to procurement packages
• Ensure adherence to proper change management procedures

Client Relations

• Conduct all client interactions professionally and respectfully
• Keep clients informed and updated on the status of technical project aspects
• Maintain DRA’s position as the client’s preferred engineering service provider
• Coordinate and liaise with clients, project managers, and engineers from other disciplines to ensure compliance with project and client requirements

Personal Capabilities

• Proactive approach, focusing on preventing problems rather than reacting to them
• Strong commitment to project success
• Positive, can-do attitude
• Demonstrates initiative
• Ownership of personal development within the industry through registration and within the company
• Values innovation and diversity of ideas

Qualifications

Formal Qualifications Required

• BSc Honours / BTech / NQF Level 7 or higher in Mechanical Engineering (Essential)

Professional Registration

• Professional Registration (Essential)
• GCC (Mines & Works) (Advantageous)

Post Graduate Qualifications

• Advantageous

Professional Membership

• SAIMechE (Advantageous) 

Experience

Job-Related Experience Required

• Mechanical Engineering – 10+ years (Essential)
• Mining and Infrastructure Projects – 5+ years (Essential)
• Operational experience on mines – 3+ years (Advantageous)
• Process Plant and Infrastructure Projects – 5+ years (Essential)
• Operational experience on processing plants – 3+ years (Advantageous)
• Hydromet and/or Chemical Plant Project Experience – 5+ years (Essential)
• Operational experience on a Hydrometallurgy plant – 3+ years (Advantageous) 

Knowledge Areas

Job-Related Knowledge Required

• Experience working within an EPCM/Mining environment (Essential)
• Knowledge of specific departments such as Projects, Project Controls, etc. (Essential)
• Knowledge of ISO 9001, ISO 14001 & OHSAS 45001 standards (Advantageous)
• Sound technical knowledge in a multi-discipline environment (Essential)

Contact information

Yolanda Swart