Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

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

Job summary

A leading engineering and design team is seeking a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer in Cape Town. You will lead mechanical design for complex water infrastructure projects, ensuring successful delivery from concept to commissioning while collaborating with UK teams. Excellent leadership and communication skills are essential to mentor junior engineers and manage multiple projects effectively.

Qualifications

• ECSA-registered (Pr Eng or Pr Tech) required.
• Minimum 12 years of experience in mechanical design for water/wastewater infrastructure.
• Strong knowledge of hydraulic systems, sludge rheology, and system dynamics.

Responsibilities

• Guide technical delivery of mechanical design elements.
• Develop mechanical system designs including specifications and drawings.
• Supervise junior engineers and ensure adherence to standards.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Mentoring

Project Management

Collaboration

Education

BTech or BSc in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CAD Design

Microsoft Office

Job description

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.

The Role: Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

This is a senior engineering position leading mechanical design elements across major water, wastewater, and flood defence projects. You will guide technical delivery, oversee multi-discipline integration, and support project success from concept to commissioning.

Key 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

About You

• 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, 8am5pm (SAST), based in Cape Town with regular virtual collaboration with UK teams.