Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

The Legends Agency; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A multidisciplinary engineering firm in Cape Town seeks a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer to lead complex water infrastructure projects in South Africa. Candidates must be ECSA-registered with a BTech or BSc in Mechanical Engineering and a minimum of 12 years' experience in mechanical design for water/wastewater infrastructure. This role offers the chance to work collaboratively with UK teams. Working hours are Monday to Friday, 8am–5pm (SAST).

Qualifications

• ECSA-registered (Pr Eng or Pr Tech) required.
• Minimum of 12 years of experience in the field.
• Strong knowledge of hydraulic systems and equipment selection.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex water infrastructure projects across the UK and South Africa.
• Develop mechanical system designs including specifications and drawings.
• Manage design effort against budget and schedule targets.

Skills

Mechanical design for water/wastewater infrastructure

CAD design

Hydraulic calculations

Leadership skills

Stakeholder engagement

Education

BTech or BSc in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

Principal Mechanical Design Engineer (Water/Wastewater) – Lead complex water infrastructure projects across the UK and South Africa in a high-growth engineering environment. Cape Town-based | Salary not disclosed.

About Us

We are a multidisciplinary engineering and design team working at the forefront of water and wastewater infrastructure projects. Our focus spans the entire project lifecycle from feasibility and concept through to detailed design and construction support. With strong growth and new framework awards, we are expanding our Cape Town-based design function to collaborate closely with UK teams and deliver innovative, compliant solutions.

Responsibilities

• Interpret and challenge project specifications and client documentation
• Develop mechanical system designs including equipment specs, datasheets, calculations, and drawings
• Lead interface coordination with multidisciplinary teams across locations
• Perform condition surveys and support site teams during installation and commissioning
• Conduct technical reviews of supplier/subcontractor inputs
• Manage design effort against budget, schedule, and quality targets
• Supervise junior engineers and ensure adherence to standards and QA processes
• Promote safety, innovation, and continuous improvement throughout project delivery
• Present engineering solutions confidently in stakeholder environments

Qualifications & Experience

• ECSA-registered (Pr Eng or Pr Tech) with a BTech or BSc in Mechanical Engineering
• Minimum 12 years of experience in mechanical design for water/wastewater infrastructure
• Strong knowledge of hydraulic systems, sludge rheology, and system dynamics
• Skilled in CAD design, hydraulic calculations, and equipment selection
• Familiar with UK water industry standards and international safety regulations
• Excellent communicator with strong leadership, mentoring, and stakeholder engagement skills
• Able to manage multiple complex projects in a collaborative environment
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and committed to ongoing professional development

Working hours: Monday to Friday, 8am–5pm (SAST). Based in Cape Town with regular virtual collaboration with UK teams.