Chief Engineer

Transnet SOC Ltd; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Transnet SOC Ltd is seeking a senior leader to direct telecommunications infrastructure strategy across TRIM, shaping the roadmap to converge enterprise IT and mission-critical networks. You will lead a multi-disciplinary team, manage CAPEX/OPEX, and drive service delivery with a focus on reliability and cost efficiency.

The role requires a 4-year engineering degree, 15+ years in telecom, and professional engineering registration, with MBA an advantage.

Qualifications

• A 4-year engineering degree is required (B.Sc. Eng. or B.Eng).
• A minimum of 15 years in industry with substantial telecom experience at senior management level.
• Registration as Professional Engineer (Pr. Eng.) with ECSA; MBA or equivalent adds advantage.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage telecom infrastructure strategy, including CAPEX, COPEX and OPEX governance.
• Develop policies, SLAs and KPIs for telecom services and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Oversee budgets, risk management, project delivery timelines and stakeholder engagement.

Skills

Leadership skills

Negotiation skills

Decision making

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Project management

Planning and organising

Networking

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (B.Sc. Eng. or B.Eng)

MBA or equivalent

Professional Engineer (Pr. Eng.) - ECSA

Tools

MS Project

Job description

• Accountable for the telecommunications Infrastructure vision, strategy and value realisation management across TRIM with attention to the infrastructure evolution towards convergence of infrastructure for enterprise IT and mission critical networks.
• Responsible for defining the target infrastructure landscape, articulate the roadmap and oversee the delivery plans to support business processes and services across TRIM through the effective leadership and orchestration of people, products, partners and relevant processes.
• Accelerate the professional and technical development of employees through coaching and training ensuring focus on achieving high customer satisfaction.Position Outputs1. Contribute to the development of long-term, medium-term and short-term network and telecommunications technology strategies for TRIM. 2. Responsible for determining the evolution towards convergence of enterprise network infrastructure and telecommunication services for TRIM in collaboration with TRIM CITO. 3. Ensures the availability of all services offered by managing disaster avoidance and recovery efforts caused by events like power outages, hardware failures, construction damage to outside cabling, etc.
• Maximises the integrity of all systems that are responsible for the networking and telecommunications systems by directing the development and implementation of the debugging techniques in problem determination and taking the proper corrective actions. 5. Ensures operational integrity and continuity of the services delivered by providing leadership in the development of objectives for the department in order to support engineering and operational administrative systems through reliability, responsiveness, documentation and use of current software and hardware. 6. Increase effectiveness by leading the evaluation of software and hardware for acquisition and the development of TRIM networking and telecommunication environment.
• Develop and implement policies, procedures, documentation, technical KPis and SLAs for network & telecommunications services portfolio. 8. Provide leadership in identifying new technologies and services, including impact and costs as they relate to networking and telecommunication services. 9. Analyse complex network environments and identify risks and mitigation strategies across TRIM. 10. Lead, execute and manage CAPEX, COPEX and OPEX projects and budgets to ensure compliance to specifications and project timelines, quality and project timelines cost effectively.
• Manage and monitor budgets in line with company policies and procedures, lead budget and cost review meetings to ensure a positive contribution of own function to company EBITDA. 12. Identify and develop additional revenue generation opportunities on the telecommunications network infrastructure. 13. Lead and ensure execution of all engineering functional responsibilities through delegated authority, legally/regulatory compliance, transparent, ethical, teamwork and customer service-orientation.
• Lead the development, review and management of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and/or Contracts and KPAs with internal and external suppliers / service providers in line with Transnet Customer Service Charter. 15. Oversee and ensure all engineering projects, initiatives, and processes are in conformance with organization's established policies and objectives.
• Ensure compliance to various regulations and legislation governing the telecommunications industry and railway infrastructure industry, e.g. RSR, !CASA, etc. 17. Drive growth through business intelligence and standardization to maximize business impact.

• Accountable for the telecommunications Infrastructure vision, strategy and value realisation management across TRIM with attention to the infrastructure evolution towards convergence of infrastructure for enterprise IT and mission critical networks.
• Responsible for defining the target infrastructure landscape, articulate the roadmap and oversee the delivery plans to support business processes and services across TRIM through the effective leadership and orchestration of people, products, partners and relevant processes.
• Accelerate the professional and technical development of employees through coaching and training ensuring focus on achieving high customer satisfaction.Position Outputs1. Contribute to the development of long-term, medium-term and short-term network and telecommunications technology strategies for TRIM. 2. Responsible for determining the evolution towards convergence of enterprise network infrastructure and telecommunication services for TRIM in collaboration with TRIM CITO. 3. Ensures the availability of all services offered by managing disaster avoidance and recovery efforts caused by events like power outages, hardware failures, construction damage to outside cabling, etc.
• Maximises the integrity of all systems that are responsible for the networking and telecommunications systems by directing the development and implementation of the debugging techniques in problem determination and taking the proper corrective actions. 5. Ensures operational integrity and continuity of the services delivered by providing leadership in the development of objectives for the department in order to support engineering and operational administrative systems through reliability, responsiveness, documentation and use of current software and hardware. 6. Increase effectiveness by leading the evaluation of software and hardware for acquisition and the development of TRIM networking and telecommunication environment.
• Develop and implement policies, procedures, documentation, technical KPis and SLAs for network & telecommunications services portfolio. 8. Provide leadership in identifying new technologies and services, including impact and costs as they relate to networking and telecommunication services. 9. Analyse complex network environments and identify risks and mitigation strategies across TRIM. 10. Lead, execute and manage CAPEX, COPEX and OPEX projects and budgets to ensure compliance to specifications and project timelines, quality and project timelines cost effectively.
• Manage and monitor budgets in line with company policies and procedures, lead budget and cost review meetings to ensure a positive contribution of own function to company EBITDA. 12. Identify and develop additional revenue generation opportunities on the telecommunications network infrastructure. 13. Lead and ensure execution of all engineering functional responsibilities through delegated authority, legally/regulatory compliance, transparent, ethical, teamwork and customer service-orientation.
• Lead the development, review and management of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and/or Contracts and KPAs with internal and external suppliers / service providers in line with Transnet Customer Service Charter. 15. Oversee and ensure all engineering projects, initiatives, and processes are in conformance with organization's established policies and objectives.
• Ensure compliance to various regulations and legislation governing the telecommunications industry and railway infrastructure industry, e.g. RSR, !CASA, etc. 17. Drive growth through business intelligence and standardization to maximize business impact.

Qualifications and ExperienceQualifications & Experience:

• A minimum 4-year degree - B.Sc. (Eng.) or B. Eng degree in either Electrical, or Electronics Engineering is a requirement.
• 15 years working experience of which 10 years is spent within the Telecommunications industry at Senior Management level and 5 at managing projects and conducting research.
• Registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) as a Professional Engineer (Pr. Eng.)
• MBA OR equivalent will be an added advantageCompetenciesKnowledge required:
• Project Management Principles.
• Financial Accounting Principles.
• Business Management Principles.
• In-depth understanding of Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager Network.
• Understanding of the engineering principles.
• In-depth understanding of research and development methodologies.
• Cross functional knowledge.
• In-depth understanding of Human Capital Management and organisational design.
• Understanding of Assets Life cycle
• Knowledge of Transnet's Operating Divisions.
• Knowledge of Transnet Rail Infrastructure.
• Sound knowledge of relevant Legislation. Skills required:
• Business Acumen
• Leadership skills
• Negotiation skills
• Decision making
• Lateral thinker
• Analytical skills
• Interpersonal skill
• Excellent communication skills
• Presentation skills
• Computer literacy including MS Project
• Planning and Organising
• Networking
• Adaptability
• Project management
• Accountable
• Get it done Attributes:
• Strategic ability
• Inspirational leader
• Customer management
• Leverage diversity
• Change agent
• Integrity
• Collaborative
• Innovative and entrepreneurial
• Foster team
• Optimise business performance
• Manage programsEquity StatementPreference will be given to suitably qualified Applicants who are members of the designated groups in line with the Employment Equity Plan and Targets of the Organisation/Operating Division.