Principal Civil Engineer - Water & Sanitation

Placements24; Gqeberha; Hybrid; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Professional growth opportunities

Generous annual leave

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Civil Engineer to lead its Water and Sanitation division in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. The role focuses on large water/wastewater schemes, regulatory compliance, and mentoring senior and junior engineers.

The successful candidate will oversee hydraulic modeling, design, and tender documentation while driving client engagement and business growth in the Eastern Cape region.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Civil Engineering with a Water/Environmental focus.
• Professional registration as Pr. Eng. (ECSA) is mandatory for the role.
• Minimum of 12 years in planning, design and management of water and sanitation projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and delivery of water and sanitation infrastructure projects.
• Perform advanced hydraulic analyses and feasibility studies.
• Ensure compliance with environmental legislation and SANS standards.
• Mentor engineers, manage project teams and budgets.
• Oversee detailed design drawings, specs and tender documents.
• Engage with clients and regulatory bodies to meet project requirements.

Skills

Hydraulic modeling

Team leadership

Project management

Regulatory compliance

Education

Master's degree in Civil Engineering

Pr. Eng. (ECSA) registration

Tools

EPANET

SWMM

AutoCAD

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a distinguished engineering consultancy firm, is seeking an experienced Principal Civil Engineer to lead their Water and Sanitation division in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. This senior role involves managing complex water infrastructure projects, including water treatment plants, distribution networks, wastewater systems, and stormwater management. You will be responsible for leading design teams, undertaking complex analyses, ensuring regulatory compliance, and mentoring junior engineers. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute significantly to the development and sustainability of essential services in Eastern Cape, working on projects that have a direct impact on public health and the environment. The role requires a visionary leader with a deep technical understanding and a commitment to delivering sustainable infrastructure solutions. This position is based in Port Elizabeth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptualization, design, and implementation of major water and sanitation infrastructure projects.
• Conduct advanced hydraulic modeling, feasibility studies, and environmental impact assessments for water and wastewater systems.
• Ensure all designs and projects comply with relevant South African environmental legislation, SANS standards, and municipal by-laws.
• Manage project teams, providing technical guidance, mentorship, and performance management to civil engineers and technicians.
• Oversee the preparation of detailed design drawings, technical specifications, and tender documents.
• Engage with clients, regulatory bodies, and stakeholders to ensure project requirements are met and to foster strong working relationships.
• Develop and manage project budgets and timelines, ensuring efficient resource allocation and cost-effective solutions.
• Undertake site visits for inspection and supervision during the construction phase of projects.
• Contribute to business development activities, including proposal writing and client engagement.
• Stay current with technological advancements and best practices in the water and sanitation engineering sector.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Civil Engineering with a specialization in Water and Environmental Engineering.
• Professional registration as a Pr. Eng. with ECSA is mandatory.
• A minimum of 12 years of extensive experience in the planning, design, and management of water and sanitation infrastructure projects.
• Proven experience in leading multidisciplinary engineering teams and managing complex projects.
• Expertise in hydraulic modeling software (e.g., EPANET, SWMM) and CAD software.
• Strong understanding of water treatment processes, wastewater treatment technologies, and distribution networks.
• Excellent knowledge of South African environmental regulations and water resource management policies.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Outstanding communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• A valid driver's license and willingness to travel for project-related activities within the Eastern Cape region.

Benefits

• Highly competitive remuneration package commensurate with the senior level of the role.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund benefits.
• Opportunities for professional growth, advanced training, and attending international conferences.
• Generous annual leave allowance and other company benefits.
• The opportunity to work on impactful projects that enhance public infrastructure in Port Elizabeth and the Eastern Cape.
• A stimulating and collaborative professional environment.