CHIEF ENGINEER: STRUCTURAL AND BRIDGES

This position offers an exceptional opportunity for a highly experienced professional engineer to take on a senior leadership role within the Mpumalanga Provincial Government’s Head Office, focusing on the structural integrity and lifecycle management of critical public infrastructure. As the Chief Engineer for Structural and Bridges, the successful candidate will serve as the principal technical authority, providing specialist engineering services and strategic direction across the full spectrum of infrastructure delivery. The role is graded under the Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD), reflecting its senior technical nature, and is situated within the provincial public service environment, where the incumbent will be expected to operate with a high degree of independence and professional judgement.

The core purpose of the role is to lead the planning, investigation, design, construction, supervision, contract administration, inspection, rehabilitation, and maintenance of culverts, bridges, and buildings. This is not merely a design role; it is a comprehensive engineering leadership position requiring oversight of infrastructure from conception through to end-of-life assessment. The Chief Engineer will ensure that all structures under the department’s remit are safe, functional, durable, and cost-effective throughout their entire service life. This involves managing complex infrastructure programmes, leading multidisciplinary engineering teams, and coordinating the work of external consultants and contractors. The role demands a deep understanding of structural behaviour, including reinforced concrete, prestressed concrete, steel, and masonry, as well as the ability to apply this knowledge to real-world challenges such as geotechnical conditions, foundations, hydrology, hydraulics, and drainage. The incumbent will also be responsible for structural inspections, condition ratings, failure investigations, remaining-life assessments, and the development of maintenance plans, ensuring that all assets comply with relevant legislation, codes of practice, and technical standards such as SANS, TMH, COLTO, and SANRAL guidelines.

To be considered for this post, applicants must hold a recognised Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) or Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Civil Engineering, along with compulsory registration with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) as a Professional Engineer (Pr. Eng). A minimum of ten years’ relevant experience in civil and structural engineering is required, with at least five of those years gained after professional registration. Extensive experience in the design, construction, and contract administration of roads, bridges, and buildings is essential, as is demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing complex infrastructure programmes, consultants, and contractors. A recognised Bridge Inspector certification will be a distinct advantage. The ideal candidate will possess advanced knowledge of engineering codes, construction specifications, quality assurance, procurement, infrastructure delivery, occupational health and safety, and environmental requirements. Strong analytical, report-writing, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills are critical, as is the ability to manage budgets, variations, claims, payment certification, and contractual disputes. Proven leadership and team management abilities are also non-negotiable, as the role requires driving high-performance teams in a demanding public sector environment.

Shortlisted candidates should note that this is a Senior Management Service (SMS) level post, and as such, the appointment process is rigorous. Candidates must have completed the Senior Management Pre-entry Programme endorsed by the National School of Government and provide proof of successful completion prior to appointment. The selection process will include a technical exercise and an interview, followed by psychometric assessments for top candidates, as well as pre-entry assessments covering practical suitability and integrity. Personnel suitability checks, including criminal records, citizenship, financial assets, qualifications verification, and employment references, will be conducted on the top two candidates. The successful appointee will be required to enter into an Annual Performance Agreement and disclose financial interests annually. Applicants must also disclose any business interests with an organ of state or additional remunerative work outside their normal duties. Foreign qualifications must be evaluated by SAQA, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. This is a demanding but highly rewarding role for a professional engineer seeking to make a lasting impact on public infrastructure safety and service delivery in Mpumalanga.