CHIEF ENGINEER: ELECTRICAL/MECHANICAL

The position of Chief Engineer: Electrical/Mechanical is based at the Charlotte Maxeke Facility Maintenance Hub and operates within the Maintenance directorate, placing the incumbent at the heart of engineering service delivery for health infrastructure. The role is a senior professional engineering post that blends technical expertise with strategic management, high-level advisory duties, and operational leadership. The incumbent is expected to ensure that engineering designs, maintenance strategies, and capital projects align with the department’s objectives, while also ensuring compliance with a broad range of legislative and regulatory frameworks. This is a demanding role suited to a qualified professional engineer who can coordinate multidisciplinary design efforts, monitor deployed technology, and pioneer new engineering services within a public health environment.

Applicants must hold a degree at NQF Level 7 in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, such as a B Eng or BSc Eng, or another qualification recognised by SAQA. A minimum of six years of post-qualification experience as a registered Professional Engineer is required, along with compulsory registration with ECSA as a Professional Engineer. A valid driver’s licence is also mandatory. The successful candidate will need to demonstrate deep knowledge of legislation including the Health Act of 1977 and its regulations, the Engineering Profession Act of 2000, the Construction Industry Development Board Act of 2000, the Council for Built Environment Act of 2000, the Public Finance Management Act, the Division of Revenue Act, and Treasury Regulations. Familiarity with supply chain management policies, the Promotion of Access to Information Act, the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act, the Preferential Procurement Act, the Public Service Act, the Government Immovable Asset Management Act, and the Occupational Health and Safety Act is also essential. The role further requires a strong skill set covering strategic capability, problem solving, decision making, team leadership, financial management, customer focus, communication, computer proficiency, people management, planning, organising, conflict management, and negotiation.

In terms of duties, the Chief Engineer is responsible for the final review and approval of audits on new engineering designs, ensuring they comply with design principles and theory. The role involves researching the needs of health institutions, coordinating design efforts across disciplines, and integrating engineering solutions with current technology. The incumbent must monitor deployed technology, manage the execution of the maintenance strategy, and set engineering maintenance standards, specifications, and service levels to achieve optimum operational availability. Resource allocation, monitoring, and reporting fall within the remit, as does compiling risk logs and managing significant risks. The position also provides technical consulting services, manages knowledge-sharing initiatives such as assignments and secondments, and oversees the exchange and protection of information. Financial responsibilities include ensuring the availability of funds to meet Medium-Term Expenditure Framework objectives, managing the operational capital project portfolio, controlling expenditure, and facilitating innovation proposals. Human resource management is a key component, including developing, motivating, and utilising staff, as well as managing subordinates’ performance by setting standards and correcting deviations.

Applications are subject to standard Public Service requirements. A fully completed and signed Z83 form must be accompanied by a comprehensive CV; only shortlisted candidates are required to submit certified copies of qualifications. Foreign qualifications must be accompanied by a SAQA evaluation certificate. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. These conditions make it essential for prospective candidates to pay careful attention to the application process as detailed in the advertisement. The role offers a substantial all-inclusive remuneration package and represents an opportunity for a seasoned professional engineer to make a meaningful contribution to public healthcare infrastructure maintenance and development.