Principal Civil Design Engineer (Water/Wastewater)

The Legends Agency; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in Cape Town seeks a Principal Civil Design Engineer in the water/wastewater sector. The role involves leading design efforts on critical infrastructure projects while mentoring junior staff. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in civil engineering with a commitment to innovation and best practices in project delivery.

Qualifications

• Minimum 12 years of civil engineering experience, ideally in the water/wastewater sector.
• Strong understanding of treatment plants and pumping stations.
• Comfortable with dynamic environments with multiple concurrent projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead civil design for water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
• Manage design interfaces within multi-disciplinary project teams.
• Mentor and guide junior engineers.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Team Collaboration

CAD Design

Education

BTech/BSc in Civil Engineering

ECSA registration (Pr Eng or Pr Tech Eng)

Tools

AutoCAD

Job description

Principal Civil Design Engineer (Water/Wastewater)

Lead Civil Engineering Design on Critical Water Infrastructure Projects

Cape Town-based | Competitive salary | Water/Wastewater Sector

About Our Client

Our client is an established engineering firm delivering high-quality projects across sectors including water, energy, and infrastructure. With a strong in-house design and engineering team, they are known for providing end-to-end solutions with a focus on innovation and value engineering. Their design division plays a key role in project delivery, from feasibility through to detailed design and construction support.

The Role: Principal Civil Design Engineer (Water/Wastewater)

This senior-level role involves leading the civil design aspects of water and wastewater infrastructure projects. Based in Cape Town, the Principal Civil Design Engineer will work closely with a multidisciplinary team to develop compliant, high-quality designs that support delivery across all project phases.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage civil design interfaces within multi-disciplinary project teams.

• Interpret and deliver technical designs in line with project specifications and Eurocode standards.

• Develop and review design calculations, CAD drawings, reports, and risk assessments.

• Embed health and safety considerations throughout the design process.

• Review subcontractor and supplier outputs for technical compliance.

• Track and manage design effort relative to budget and schedule.

• Mentor and guide junior engineers and support knowledge sharing across teams.

• Collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders to ensure successful design integration.

About You

• Minimum 12 years of civil engineering experience, ideally in the water/wastewater sector.

• BTech/BSc in Civil Engineering with ECSA registration (Pr Eng or Pr Tech Eng).

• Proficient in design tools such as AutoCAD and familiar with relevant industry standards.

• Strong understanding of treatment plants, pumping stations, and multidisciplinary design.

• Excellent leadership, communication, and team collaboration skills.

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with multiple concurrent projects.

• Committed to continuous professional growth and development

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