Project Engineer
Available for exploratory interviews.
Ref: EP84373499
Project Engineer (Mechanical Engineering or Automotive Tier 1 Equipment Supply - Complete Systems | Subcomponents | Body | Brakes | Steering | etc), seeks a position as Lead Project Engineer (Lead full-cycle capital expenditure projects (50 to 500 million rand) from front-end engineering design to site acceptance testing: on time, 5 percent or more under budget, zero lost-time injuries.
Direct 20 to 50+ multidisciplinary team members (mechanical, electrical and instrumentation, automation, procurement) with daily alignment and risk management.
Approve piping and instrumentation diagrams, general arrangement drawings, finite element analysis, hazard and operability studies, and original equipment manufacturer integration specifications for extreme operating conditions.
Own safety, health, environment, and quality systems: permit-to-work, layers of protection analysis, job safety analysis, and 100 percent ISO 55001/9001/14001 compliance.
Negotiate engineering, procurement, and construction / mechanical, electrical, and plumbing contracts, control change orders, and report schedule performance index, cost performance index, and safety key performance indicators to C-suite and regulators.
Deliver digital twin plus enterprise asset management handover with reliability-centered maintenance plans for 95 percent or greater asset availability in Year 1.
Drive 10 to 20 percent operating expenditure reduction via energy efficiency, decarbonization, and Industrial Internet of Things predictive systems.)
Company classification: Manufacturing / OEM ( Tier 1 & 2) (products, equipment and/or machinery) Industry in: Automotive Tier 1 Equipment Supply - Complete Systems | Subcomponents | Body | Brakes | Steering | etc Highest formal qualification and other: Honours Certificate Discipline: Mechanical Engineering Years of experience range: c. 3 to 5 years (b. 1 to 2 years management) Annual package range: South African Rand - ZAR Annual package range: 551 000 - 650 000, per annum Nationality: South African Home and other languages: English, IsiNdebele, IsiZulu Gender: Male Ethnicity: African/Black Candidate location: South Africa Location preference: I am open to positions internationally.
I am a hands-on Project Engineer with over three years of experience delivering mechanical, automation, and reliability projects in demanding industrial environments. I led multidisciplinary teams in CAPEX execution, installation, and commissioning, which enhanced safety and improved automation efficiency by 25%.
In addition, I recently managed the full lifecycle—from design and procurement to commissioning—of a 5.5 kW high-pressure blower system. The project was delivered ahead of schedule and met all performance and safety requirements, strengthening my ability to manage diverse teams and client expectations.
I am committed to driving operational excellence, safety compliance, and cost efficiency in global industrial projects.
My proven ability to manage end-to-end engineering projects, coupled with my adaptability and field-based problem-solving experience, makes me an ideal fit for the Project Engineer (Global Operations) role.
Description of self: I am a B.EngTech (Hons) Mechanical Engineering, Cum Laude Graduate (TUT 2024), M.Eng (Professional) candidate (Wits ), and hands-on Project Technician with 3+ years of proven CAPEX execution in live manufacturing plants.
My core skills are mechanical systems design, installation, and commissioning—delivering R3.5M robotic off-load projects 1 week early, 5% under budget, cutting cycle time 25%, and eliminating all manual handling risks through SolidWorks layouts, load/FEA analysis, PLC integration, and SAP PM asset handover. I lead cross-functional teams with Gantt schedules, method statements, risk assessments, and OHS Act/ISO 55001 compliance, ensuring zero safety incidents across 1,200+ contractor hours.
My passion is turning engineering precision into operational excellence, whether supervising robot rail alignment, electrical DB wiring, or SAT performance validation. My greater purpose: to build safe, reliable, and efficient industrial systems that power progress, reduce waste, and inspire African engineering leadership - one commissioned asset, one mentee, one Kaizen at a time.
Online Interview Questionnaire
Primary purpose of current/most recent position:
As Project Technician , my primary purpose is to deliver high-impact CAPEX projects—such as robotic manipulators, assembly line conveyors, and JIG upgrades—on time, within budget, and to full operational performance while minimizing production downtime and ensuring zero safety incidents. I achieve this by leading cross-functional teams through detailed planning, procurement, installation, testing, and commissioning; enforcing strict OHS Act and ISO 55001 compliance via risk assessments and method statements; and integrating new assets into SAP PM for long-term reliability and predictive maintenance, ultimately transforming engineering designs into safe, efficient, and sustainable production systems.
Core elements or functions that must operate effectively in order to achieve primary purpose:
To successfully deliver CAPEX projects on time, within budget, to full performance, with zero incidents and minimal downtime, six core elements must operate seamlessly:
Cross-Functional Team Alignment & Leadership – Production, maintenance, contractors, and suppliers must execute in lockstep under clear direction, daily toolbox talks, and real-time conflict resolution.
Robust Planning & Scheduling – Gantt charts, resource-loaded BOMs, and shutdown windows must be precise, validated, and dynamically updated to prevent delays.
Procurement & Supply Chain Efficiency – Accurate specifications, competitive sourcing, FAT inspections, and on-time delivery of quality components (e.g., robots, rails, control panels) must avoid bottlenecks.
SHEQ Compliance & Risk Mitigation – Method statements, JRA, permits-to-work, and OHS Act/ISO 55001 adherence must be non-negotiable to eliminate safety and regulatory risks.
Technical Design & Integration Accuracy – Mechanical/electrical drawings, load calculations, PLC-robot synchronization, and alignment tolerances must be verified before and during installation.
Commissioning & Handover Rigor – Dry runs, SAT, operator training, as-built documentation, and SAP PM master data creation must confirm sustained performance and maintainability.
Description of self, along with greater purpose and passions:
I am a B.EngTech (Hons) Mechanical Engineering, Cum Laude Graduate (TUT 2024), M.Eng (Professional) candidate (Wits 2025–2026), and hands-on Project Technician at OEM automotive manufacturer in South Africa with 3+ years of proven CAPEX execution in live manufacturing plants.
My core skills are mechanical systems design, installation, and commissioning—delivering R3.5M robotic off-load projects 1 week early, 5% under budget, cutting cycle time 25%, and eliminating all manual handling risks through SolidWorks layouts, load/FEA analysis, PLC integration, and SAP PM asset handover. I lead cross-functional teams with Gantt schedules, method statements, risk assessments, and OHS Act/ISO 55001 compliance, ensuring zero safety incidents across 1,200+ contractor hours.
My passion is turning engineering precision into operational excellence, whether supervising robot rail alignment, electrical DB wiring, or SAT performance validation. My greater purpose: to build safe, reliable, and efficient industrial systems that power progress, reduce waste, and inspire African engineering leadership - one commissioned asset, one mentee, one Kaizen at a time.
Ideal business title:
Lead Project Engineer
Key responsibilities and accountabilities of ideal position:
Lead full-cycle capital expenditure projects (50 to 500 million rand) from front-end engineering design to site acceptance testing: on time, 5 percent or more under budget, zero lost-time injuries.
Direct 20 to 50+ multidisciplinary team members (mechanical, electrical and instrumentation, automation, procurement) with daily alignment and risk management.
Approve piping and instrumentation diagrams, general arrangement drawings, finite element analysis, hazard and operability studies, and original equipment manufacturer integration specifications for extreme operating conditions.
Own safety, health, environment, and quality systems: permit-to-work, layers of protection analysis, job safety analysis, and 100 percent ISO 55001/9001/14001 compliance.
Negotiate engineering, procurement, and construction / mechanical, electrical, and plumbing contracts, control change orders, and report schedule performance index, cost performance index, and safety key performance indicators to C-suite and regulators.
Deliver digital twin plus enterprise asset management handover with reliability-centered maintenance plans for 95 percent or greater asset availability in Year 1.
Drive 10 to 20 percent operating expenditure reduction via energy efficiency, decarbonization, and Industrial Internet of Things predictive systems.
Skill area of competence:
CAPEX Project Execution (Full-Cycle) - 3.3 years: R3.5M+ projects from PEP, BOM, procurement, installation, commissioning to SAT; 1 week early, 5% under budget, zero LTI.
Mechanical Design & Installation - 3+ years: SolidWorks/AutoCAD layouts, load & cycle-time analysis, robot/JIG alignment, foundation anchoring, rigging supervision.
Commissioning & Performance Validation - 3+ years: Dry runs, SAT, PLC-robot integration, SAP PM master data creation, 25% cycle time reduction.
SHEQ Compliance & Risk Management - 3+ years: OHS Act, ISO 55001/9001, method statements, JRA, permit-to-work, 1,200+ contractor hours with zero incidents.
Procurement & Cost Control - 3+ years: Supplier selection, FAT, contract negotiation, BOM accuracy, 8% average cost savings.
Cross-Functional Team Leadership - 3+ years: Directing technicians, contractors, OEMs, production; daily toolbox talks, shutdown coordination.
FEA & Simulation - 3+ years: Ansys/Abaqus stress analysis, MATLAB validation, design optimization under dynamic loads.
Lean Manufacturing & Process Optimization – 3+ years: Kaizen, 5S, 4M change control, takt time, rework/scrap reduction in bodyshop & assembly.
Career summary:
Automotive Bodyshop & Chassis Assembly (Robotic Manipulators, JIG Upgrades, Conveyors, Stamping) – 3.3 years
High-Pressure Pneumatic Systems (Industrial Air Blowers, 5.5 kW, 380V 3-Phase) – 0.2 years
What do you absolutely love doing:
I absolutely love turning complex engineering challenges into fully commissioned, high-performance industrial systems, especially when leading a tight-knit, multidisciplinary team through every phase: from concept sketches and load calculations to on-site rigging under live production pressure, to that final SAT moment when the asset hits design spec, the client signs off, and the line runs flawlessly.
Ideal company (culture and values):
I want to work for a global, engineering-led industrial operator—such as a multinational refinery (e.g., Sasol, ExxonMobil), power generation giant (e.g., Eskom, Siemens Energy), or advanced manufacturing flagship (e.g., BMW, ArcelorMittal)—that designs, builds, and runs mission-critical, high-uptime assets in challenging environments.
If you are looking for a Project Engineer, then do get in touch.
Call the Head Office – Gauteng, SA. + 27 10 597 0862.
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