Design Engineer

Communicate Recruitment; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Communicate Recruitment is seeking an experienced Industrial Project Engineer with a strong background in ammonia refrigeration. You will manage projects end-to-end, lead installation, commissioning and maintenance activities, and ensure safety and regulatory compliance across multiple sites.

The role requires 5+ years in industrial project engineering, leadership skills, and the ability to coordinate diverse stakeholders. Travel to project sites will be necessary as part of project delivery.

Qualifications

• BTech or BEng in Mechanical Engineering required.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience working on ammonia refrigeration systems.
• Category C Designer certification required.
• Proficient in MS Office and MS Project.

Responsibilities

• Manage engineering projects throughout full lifecycle from concept to handover.
• Lead ammonia refrigeration installation, upgrade and maintenance projects.
• Review designs for compliance with specs, standards and safety regs.
• Conduct site inspections for quality, safety, progress and technical compliance.
• Coordinate with clients, consultants, contractors, suppliers and internal teams to ensure delivery.
• Manage project schedules, budgets, procurement, invoicing, reporting and documentation.
• Lead and mentor engineering teams with technical guidance.
• Identify risks, resolve technical challenges and implement solutions.
• Drive continuous improvement to optimise delivery and efficiency.
• Act as primary technical representative in client meetings and commissioning activities.

Skills

Project leadership

Ammonia refrigeration

Stakeholder management

Project planning

Team mentoring

Education

BTech or BEng in Mechanical Engineering

Category C Designer certification

Tools

MS Office

MS Project

Job description

Job Description

• Manage engineering projects throughout the full project lifecycle, from concept and planning through to commissioning and final handover
• Lead the execution of ammonia refrigeration installation, upgrade, and maintenance projects
• Review engineering designs and ensure compliance with project specifications, industry standards, and safety regulations
• Conduct site inspections to monitor quality, safety, progress, and technical compliance
• Coordinate with clients, consultants, contractors, suppliers, and internal engineering teams to ensure successful project delivery
• Manage project schedules, budgets, procurement, invoicing, reporting, and project documentation
• Lead and mentor engineering teams while providing technical guidance throughout project execution
• Identify project risks, resolve technical challenges, and implement practical engineering solutions
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimise project delivery, system performance, and operational efficiency
• Act as the primary technical representative during client meetings, project reviews, and commissioning activities

Skills & Experience

• Minimum of 5 years' experience in industrial project engineering
• Proven experience delivering ammonia refrigeration projects within industrial manufacturing, food processing, cold storage, or FMCG environments
• Strong understanding of ammonia refrigeration systems, including plant design, installation, commissioning, maintenance, and troubleshooting
• Experience managing multidisciplinary engineering projects from concept through completion
• Strong leadership, planning, and organisational skills
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities
• Solid understanding of engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning principles

Minimum Requirements

• BTech or BEng in Mechanical Engineering
• Minimum of 5 years' experience working on ammonia refrigeration systems
• Category C Designer certification
• Proficient in MS Office and MS Project
• Valid driver's licence
• Willingness to travel to project sites as required
• Only South African Residents or individuals with a relevant South African work permit will be considered.