Chief Engineer: Special Maintenance Mpumalanga

BRIEF DESCRIPTION:-

The Chief Engineer: Special Maintenance will provide engineering leadership and technical guidance in planning, designing, and executing special road maintenance projects, overseeing project management and ensuring compliance with departmental and statutory requirements. The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering, a Professional Engineer registration, and at least ten years of relevant experience in road infrastructure, including pavement investigation and rehabilitation. They will also have strong technical expertise, leadership skills, and business acumen, with experience in infrastructure procurement, engineering contract administration, and quality assurance.

Job Title: Chief Engineer: Special Maintenance

Company: Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport

**Job Requirements**

To be considered for this esteemed position, candidates must possess a strong educational foundation, extensive professional experience, and a proven track record of delivering exceptional results in the field of civil engineering. The ideal candidate will hold a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) or Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Civil Engineering, as well as a compulsory registration with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) as a Professional Engineer (Pr. Eng). A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant post-qualification engineering experience in road infrastructure is required, with a focus on pavement investigation, design, materials engineering, and rehabilitation. This experience should include at least six (06) years of post-professional registration experience. Additionally, a valid driver's license and willingness to travel to project sites, including remote locations, are essential. Prior experience in labour-intensive construction, contractor development, and Expanded Public Works Programme implementation will be highly regarded.

**Key Skills and Competencies**

The successful candidate will possess a unique blend of technical expertise, leadership skills, and business acumen. They will have a deep understanding of flexible and rigid pavement design principles, pavement deterioration mechanisms, and rehabilitation methods. They will also be well-versed in mechanistic-empirical analysis, traffic loading estimation, and design traffic assessment. Furthermore, they will have expertise in subgrade characterization, geotechnical investigations, material testing, and interpretation of laboratory and field results. The candidate will also be familiar with various pavement materials, including granular, stabilised, asphalt, and concrete, as well as recycled materials. Additionally, they will have knowledge of pavement drainage, moisture sensitivity, climatic influences, and construction variability. The South African Pavement Engineering Manual, applicable TRH and TMH guidance, COTO specifications, and departmental design standards will also be familiar to the candidate. They will possess skills in lifecycle costing, economic evaluation, constructability, and sustainable pavement design. The candidate will also have experience in infrastructure procurement, engineering contract administration, quality assurance, and construction supervision. Familiarity with public finance, occupational health and safety, environmental, and professional engineering requirements is essential.

**Key Responsibilities**

As the Chief Engineer: Special Maintenance, the successful candidate will provide engineering leadership and technical guidance in the planning, design, and execution of special road maintenance projects. They will be responsible for approving technical designs, specifications, and documentation to ensure compliance with departmental and statutory requirements. The candidate will oversee the management of projects and contracts, ensuring that they are executed in line with approved plans and budgets. They will ensure technical governance, risk management, and adherence to professional standards at all stages of maintenance projects. The Chief Engineer will offer expert professional advice to internal teams, management, and external stakeholders. They will mentor, develop, and supervise engineering staff, fostering skills transfer and continuous improvement. The candidate will coordinate with multidisciplinary teams and manage the appointment and performance of consultants and contractors. They will prepare and present technical reports, project documentation, and audit records as per departmental requirements. Finally, they will promote best practices and cultivate a culture of compliance, safety, and excellence within the road maintenance environment.