Graduate Mechanical Engineer — Hybrid Work & Growth

Placements24; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Job summary

CDM Smith is seeking an Electro‑Mechanical Engineer to lead feasibility‑stage planning and preliminary design of pumping, electrical, mechanical, instrumentation, control, SCADA, power‑supply, transformer, and related systems for the anticipated water‑conveyance study.

The role will coordinate equipment selection and layouts with the hydraulic, pipeline, structural, hydropower, operations, and cost workstreams.

Qualifications

• Lead feasibility‑stage planning for pumping, electrical, mechanical, instrumentation, control, SCADA, and power systems.
• Coordinate equipment selection and layouts with related workstreams.
• Engage in HAZOP, reliability analysis, asset management and O&M planning.

Responsibilities

• Plan and develop preliminary designs for electro‑mechanical systems serving pumping stations and reservoirs.
• Coordinate hydraulic optimization and select pump/motor configurations.
• Define piping, valves, surge protection, and mechanical services layouts.
• Assess electricity supply infrastructure, grid connection and substation requirements.
• Develop SCADA and automation concepts, including cybersecurity considerations.
• Prepare instrumentation plans and equipment data sheets.
• Contribute to project planning and implementation strategy.
• Evaluate hydropower interfaces and power offset considerations.

Skills

Feasibility planning

Electro-mechanical design

Pumping systems

SCADA & automation

Coordination across teams

Tools

Power systems

Instrumentation & control

Job description

Electro-Mechanical Engineer, Southern Africa

Pretoria CDM Smith

Company Overview

Check out this video and find out why our team loves to work here! ( Us! CDM Smith - where amazing career journeys unfold. Imagine a place committed to offering an unmatched employee experience. Where you work on projects that are meaningful to you. Where you play an active part in shaping your career journey. Where your co‑workers are invested in you and your success. Where you are encouraged and supported to do your very best and given the tools and resources to do so. Where it’s a priority that the company takes good care of you and your family. Our employees are the heart of our company. As an employer of choice, our goal is to provide a challenging, progressive and inclusive work environment which fosters personal leadership, career growth and development for every employee. We value passionate individuals who challenge the norm, deliver world‑class solutions and bring diverse perspectives. Join our team, and together we will make a difference and change the world.

Job Description

The Orange‑Senqu River Commission (ORASECOM) is seeking consulting services to conduct a technical feasibility study and produce the preliminary design for the water conveyance system of the Lesotho to Botswana Water Transfer Scheme. The bulk water transfer scheme is intended to mobilize water in Lesotho and convey it through South Africa to Botswana, while supplying users along the route. The study will assess and integrate technical, financial, environmental, regulatory, institutional, social, and climate considerations to support financing and implementation decisions. The assignment covers route confirmation, demand and socioeconomic assessment, topographical and cadastral surveys, geotechnical and materials investigations, climate risk assessment, hydraulic modelling and optimization, preliminary design of pipelines, pump stations, reservoirs and supporting infrastructure, cost estimation, economic analysis, and preparation of detailed‑design terms of reference and a Record of Implementation Decision.

Position Description

CDM Smith is seeking an Electro‑Mechanical Engineer to lead feasibility‑stage planning and preliminary design of pumping, electrical, mechanical, instrumentation, control, SCADA, power‑supply, transformer, and related systems for the anticipated water‑conveyance study. The position will coordinate equipment selection and layouts with the hydraulic, pipeline, structural, hydropower, operations, and cost workstreams. *Professional engagement is contingent on project award and client approval.

Responsibilities

• Plan and develop preliminary designs for electro‑mechanical systems serving abstraction works, high‑lift and booster pump stations, reservoirs, break‑pressure tanks, hydropower facilities, and other conveyance structures.
• Coordinate hydraulic optimization and select preliminary pump and motor configurations, duties, efficiencies, redundancy, and operating arrangements.
• Define station piping arrangements, valves, surge‑protection equipment, lifting and maintenance provisions, mechanical services, and equipment layouts.
• Assess existing, planned, and future electricity‑supply infrastructure and establish long‑term supply, transmission‑line, substation, switchgear, high‑ and low‑voltage, transformer, and standby‑power requirements.
• Develop the SCADA and automation concept, including system configuration, communications, control philosophy, trends, alarms, events, cybersecurity considerations, and water‑ and energy‑efficiency functions.
• Prepare the outline instrumentation plan for hydraulic, structural, equipment, and seismic monitoring and document the rationale for instrumentation.
• Prepare equipment data sheets, schedules, preliminary drawings, flow diagrams, specifications, bills of materials, long‑lead schedules, and CAPEX and OPEX inputs.
• Contribute to HAZOP, reliability analysis, strategic asset management, O&M planning, emergency preparedness, climate‑risk assessment, and implementation planning.
• Evaluate hydropower‑generation and pumped‑storage interfaces and coordinate grid‑connection and power‑offset considerations.

Skills & Abilities

• Planning and preliminary design of complex electro‑mechanical systems for major hydraulic infrastructure and pump stations.
• Pump and motor selection, station mechanical systems, power supply, transformers, switchgear, instrumentation, automation, and SCADA.
• Ability to integrate hydraulic transients, operating philosophy, reliability, maintainability, energy efficiency, climate resilience, and lifecycle cost.
• Strong preparation and review of process diagrams, equipment schedules,