Asset Engineering Manager

Africa Health Research Institute NPC; Durban; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) in KwaZulu-Natal seeks an experienced asset management engineer to drive strategic direction for plant, HVAC, electrical systems and asset policies. You will align maintenance plans with lifecycle value whilst maximizing equipment reliability across operations.

Leading engineering teams, ensuring OHS Act compliance, and delivering robust asset management standards are essential to this role.

Qualifications

• Matric Degree or National Diploma in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
• GCC for Factories is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction by interpreting organizational objectives and establishing asset management purpose.
• Oversee plant machinery, engineering systems and utilities to maximize equipment performance and lifecycle value.
• Implement preventative maintenance programs in line with best practices to minimize downtime and extend asset life.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations (OHS Act).
• Manage engineering teams, including technicians and assistants.
• Conduct failure analysis to improve plant performance and reliability.
• Develop asset management systems and design specifications for equipment reliability.
• Communicate complex concepts clearly to internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Communication skills

Technical expertise

Computer literacy

Planning and organizing

Building management systems

Electrical systems knowledge

HVAC knowledge

MEP codes knowledge

Duct construction standards

Reading schematics

Education

Matric Degree or National Diploma in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

GCC for Factories

Tools

None

Job description

The application closing date: 2 Sept 2026

Brief overview of duties

Provide strategic direction by interpreting the organization’s objectives, identifying stakeholder requirements, and establishing the purpose of asset management. This includes guiding the development and implementation of the asset management policy, asset management plan, and strategic infrastructure asset management objectives. Oversee plant machinery, engineering systems, and utilities to ensure smooth operations, aligning with asset engineering principles to maximize equipment performance, lifecycle value, and operational reliability. Implement preventative maintenance programs in line with asset engineering best practices to minimize equipment downtime, extend asset life, and ensure operational efficiency Ensuring compliance with safety regulations such as the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS Act). Managing engineering teams, including technicians and general assistants. Conducting failure analysis and problem-solving to improve plant performance. Developing asset management systems, design specifications to enhance equipment reliability. Communicate and explain complex products, services, or concepts to internal and external customers or clients in an understandable and effective manner.

Requirements of the Job

Minimum Qualifications

• Matric Degree or National Diploma in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
• Government Certificate of Competency (GCC) for Factories.

Minimum Experience

• At least 5–10 years of experience in a plant or maintenance engineering role, with at least 5 years at a supervisory position.
• Experience in working with chillers, boilers, HVAC plant, pumps, etc.
• Experience in the selection, installation, operation, and repair of various building automation systems preferred.

Skills Required

• Good verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Technical expertise.
• High computer literacy.
• Planning and organizing skills.
• Knowledge of building management systems and electrical systems preferred.
• Knowledge of negative pressure ventilation systems would be advantageous.
• Knowledge of applicable Mechanical, Electrical and HVAC codes.
• Knowledge of Duct Construction Standards.
• Ability to read and interpret wiring schematics, and manufacturers’ literature.

Worker Type

Employee

AHRI is a values-driven organisation.

As an employer we are committed to staff engagement and development. Our culture is one of high performance and partnership. Our values The successful candidate will be expected to live by AHRI’s values, including collaboration, ubuntu, leadership, innovation, transformation, and excellence.

Employment equity

AHRI is fully compliant with South African labour law and is committed to employment equity. This position is primarily open to South African or other African applicants, with a valid work permit desirable.

AHRI reserves the right in special circumstances to accept late applications or to extend the above date to facilitate further searches. Furthermore, AHRI reserves the right not to make an appointment. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, kindly consider your application as unsuccessful if you do not hear from us within 14 days of the application closing date.

About AHRI

Africa Health Research Institute’s vision is optimal health and well-being of under-resourced populations. Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) is an independent, transdisciplinary scientific research institute based across two campuses in the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) in South Africa. AHRI’s research combines population, basic and translational, social, and clinical sciences to understand and intervene in the health and well-being of South African communities. AHRI works in partnership with local communities and South African academic, governmental, and other policy stakeholders and collaborates with over 60 institutions globally. AHRI prioritises the training of the next generation of African scientists. The work lives of AHRI’s ~700 scientists, students and staff members are driven by our values: ubuntu, transformation, leadership, innovation, excellence and collaboration.