About the Role
The Department of Transport is seeking a Chief Engineer for Special Maintenance based at its Head Office. In this pivotal role, you will provide exceptional engineering leadership focusing on the investigation, design, and evaluation of road pavements for various projects within South Africa. This position is vital for ensuring that our road infrastructure meets the highest standards of safety, durability, and cost-effectiveness, ultimately contributing to the well-being of communities in cities like Pretoria and beyond.
Your expertise will directly impact road construction and rehabilitation projects, enhancing public service delivery and improving traffic conditions across the nation. By developing innovative pavement solutions tailored to specific environmental and traffic conditions, you will play a crucial role in maintaining and upgrading South Africa’s road network, making a lasting difference for all road users.
About the Department
The Department of Transport is dedicated to providing and maintaining an efficient, accessible, and safe transport system throughout South Africa. Its mission is to facilitate mobility and connectivity, which are essential for economic growth and social development. Working within this department means contributing to projects that enhance transportation infrastructure, ultimately fostering community development and improving the quality of life for all South Africans.
What You’ll Do
- Lead investigations into pavement conditions and develop designs for new construction and upgrades.
- Evaluate existing road pavements to identify rehabilitation needs and propose effective solutions.
- Ensure that all pavement solutions meet safety, environmental, and financial criteria.
- Oversee the preparation and review of technical specifications, tender documentation, and engineering reports.
- Manage multidisciplinary engineering teams, providing guidance and support for complex infrastructure programmes.
- Collaborate with contractors and consultants to ensure project delivery meets departmental standards.
- Conduct geotechnical investigations and material testing to inform design decisions.
- Implement sustainable practices in pavement design and construction, considering lifecycle costs and environmental impacts.
What You’ll Need
- A recognised Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) or Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Civil Engineering.
- Compulsory registration as a Professional Engineer (Pr. Eng) with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).
- A minimum of ten years’ relevant post-qualification engineering experience, particularly in road infrastructure.
- At least six years of experience post-professional registration in pavement investigation and design.
- Proven experience in leading teams and managing complex projects, including contractor development.
- A valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel to various project sites, including remote locations.
- Knowledge of pavement evaluation methods and applicable South African engineering standards.
How to Apply
Please submit your application before the closing date as late applications will not be considered.
Requirements
A recognised Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) / Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Civil Engineering.Compulsory registration with the Engineering Council of 176 South Africa (ECSA) as a Professional Engineer (Pr.
Eng).
A minimum of ten (10) years’ relevant post-qualification engineering experience in road infrastructure, including substantial experience in pavement investigation, pavement design, materials engineering and rehabilitation design, including at least six (06) years’ post-professional registration experience.
Demonstrated experience in preparing and reviewing pavement designs, technical specifications, tender documentation and engineering reports.
Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams and managing complex infrastructure programmes, consultants and contractors.
A valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel to project sites, including remote locations.
Experience in labour-intensive construction, contractor development and Expanded Public Works Programme implementation will be an added advantage.
Knowledge, Skills and Competencies: Flexible and rigid pavement design principles, pavement deterioration mechanisms and rehabilitation methods.
Mechanistic-empirical analysis, traffic loading estimation, and design traffic assessment.
Subgrade characterisation, geotechnical investigations, material testing and interpretation of laboratory and field results.
Granular, stabilised, asphalt and concrete pavement materials, including recycled materials.
Pavement drainage, moisture sensitivity, climatic influences and construction variability.
Pavement evaluation methods, including visual assessment.
The South African Pavement Engineering Manual, applicable TRH and TMH guidance, COTO specifications and departmental design standards.
Lifecycle costing, economic evaluation, constructability and sustainable pavement design.
Infrastructure procurement, engineering contract administration, quality assurance and construction supervision.
Applicable public finance, occupational health and safety, environmental and professional engineering requirements.
Job Duties
Provide professional engineering leadership in the investigation, design and evaluation of road pavements for new construction, upgrading, rehabilitation and maintenance.Ensure that pavement solutions are safe, durable, cost- effective and appropriate to traffic loading, material availability, environmental conditions and the department’s road asset management objectives.
