ENGINEER PRODUCTION: MECHANICAL REFS NO: REFS/048655

This position is for a Professional Mechanical Engineer within the Health Infrastructure and Technical Portfolio Services directorate, specifically the Sub-Directorate for Portfolio Technical Services, based at Head Office in Johannesburg. The role is an OSD-graded engineering production post within a provincial public service environment focused on health infrastructure. The incumbent will act as a registered professional engineer responsible for the full lifecycle of engineering projects, from planning and design through to operation, maintenance and eventual upgrade or decommissioning. This includes ensuring that all engineering work complies with South African legislation, norms, standards and codes of practice. The post requires strong technical leadership, as the engineer will supervise technicians, technologists and candidate engineers, and will be expected to drive skills transfer and professional development within the team.

Applicants need an engineering degree in mechanical engineering, either a B Eng, BSc (Eng) or a relevant equivalent qualification, along with at least three years of post-qualification engineering experience. Registration as a Professional Engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa is mandatory, and a valid driver’s licence is required. The successful candidate must have sound knowledge of the Public Service Act, Public Service Regulations, the PFMA and Treasury Regulations, supply chain management policies, the Government Immovable Asset Management Act, the National Building Standards Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the National Environmental Management Act and the Engineering Profession Act. Technical competencies include engineering design and analysis, programme and project management, computer-aided engineering applications, and legal compliance. The role also demands skills in decision making, team leadership, analytical thinking, creativity, self-management, financial management, customer focus and responsiveness, communication, computer literacy, conflict management, problem solving, research, technical report writing and networking.

Key duties include planning, designing, operating and maintaining engineering projects; developing cost-effective solutions that align with standards; evaluating existing technical manuals, standard drawings and procedures; preparing tender specifications; assessing the planning and design work of external parties; approving engineering works according to prescribed norms; supervising engineering work and processes; and administering performance management and development. The engineer must also ensure adherence to procurement and personnel administration regulations, monitor and control expenditure, report on delivery and service, research new technologies and procedures, and liaise with relevant professional bodies and councils on engineering matters. Resource management and consolidation of inputs for resource utilisation are also central to the role.

Applications must be submitted on the prescribed Z83 form accompanied by a recently updated comprehensive CV, with certified copies of qualifications required only from shortlisted candidates. Foreign qualifications must be accompanied by a SAQA evaluation certificate. Shortlisted candidates will undergo pre-entry assessments, including a practical exercise and an integrity assessment, followed by personnel suitability checks such as vetting, criminal record, citizenship, credit record, qualification and employment verification. The department encourages youth, people with disability, and coloured, Indian and white applicants to apply, and a confirmation of disability from a registered medical practitioner must be attached where applicable. Correspondence is limited to shortlisted candidates, and if no response is received within three months, applicants should consider their application unsuccessful. The department reserves the right not to appoint and may use alternative recruitment processes; candidates may also be placed according to corridor coordination and departmental needs.