Principal Project Engineer

Weir Minerals; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Wellbeing

Grow your Own Way

Be You and Belong

Job summary

Weir Minerals in Alrode, Johannesburg is seeking a Principal Project Engineer to lead technical and delivery execution of capital projects from initiation to close-out, ensuring alignment with scope, schedule, cost, quality, safety and governance. The role focuses on engineering excellence, project controls, and customer satisfaction.

The successful candidate will oversee cross-functional teams, manage stakeholders at senior levels, and drive integrated execution strategies across engineering,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field; PMP preferred.
• 8+ years in capital project execution in engineering, manufacturing, mining, Project House, or PMO, incl. 5+ years in lead PM/ senior project engineering.
• Experience delivering end-to-end projects with scope, schedule, cost, quality, and risk.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical and delivery leadership to project engineers and cross-functional teams.
• Lead senior-level engagement with customers, suppliers, contractors and internal stakeholders.
• Own end-to-end capital project execution from initiation through close-out.
• Lead cross-functional coordination across engineering, planning, manufacturing, supply chain, site services and external partners.
• Manage scope, cost, schedule, risk, quality and contract changes.
• Ensure disciplined close-out, customer acceptance, documentation and handover; maintain zero-harm safety culture.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Stakeholder management

Technical leadership

Risk & governance

Financial management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering

PMP Certification

Job description

Alrode

Onsite

Purpose of Role

The Principal Project Engineer is responsible for the technical and project execution delivery of capital project orders and contracts, from initiation through to close‑out. The role ensures that projects are delivered in line with contractual scope, schedule, cost, quality, safety, and governance requirements, with a strong focus on engineering excellence, project controls, and customer satisfaction.

What we offer

At Weir, we are proud to provide reward on a basis which is fair and attractive, including a competitive benefits package. Through our ‘We are Weir’ framework, we focus on the importance of our people and the contribution they make to our organisation.

• Health & Wellbeing: As a global organisation there isn’t one single solution that will enable us to take a proactive approach to our health and wellbeing. We have built a Health and Wellness framework focusing on Culture & Leadership, Safety & Environmental, Mental Wellbeing, Physical Wellbeing, Digital Wellbeing and Financial Wellbeing for different parts of the business to bring to life in a way that is most meaningful for them.
• Grow your Own Way: Everything moves fast in the dynamic world of Weir. This creates opportunities for us to take on new challenges, explore new areas, learn, progress and excel. Best of all, there is no set path that our people must go down. Instead, everyone is given the support and freedom to tailor‑make their own career and do the best work of their lives.
• Be You and Belong: Weir is a welcoming, inclusive place, where everyone's contribution is recognised and all employees are encouraged to innovate, collaborate and be themselves.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & People Management: Provide technical and delivery leadership to project engineers and cross‑functional teams, supporting performance management, coaching, and capability development. Mentor less‑experienced engineers, contribute to objective setting and performance reviews, and support the development of strong technical, commercial, and safety leadership aligned with project and business requirements.
• Customer & Stakeholder Management: Lead strategic engagement with customers, suppliers, contractors, and internal stakeholders, serving as a trusted technical and delivery interface. Own senior‑level customer interactions on complex technical, commercial, and delivery matters, including site engagements and executive discussions where required. Establish and enforce structured communication frameworks to ensure alignment, transparency, and proactive issue management. Resolve customer and stakeholder issues decisively, balancing contractual obligations, commercial outcomes, and long‑term relationship value.
• Project & Contract Execution: Assume end‑to‑end accountability for the execution of capital projects from initiation through close‑out, ensuring disciplined delivery in line with approved scope, schedule, and budget. Define and own integrated project execution strategies, including resourcing, governance, milestones, and delivery sequencing. Lead cross‑functional coordination across engineering, planning, manufacturing, supply chain, site services, and external partners to ensure seamless execution and delivery certainty.
• Project Management, Technical & Engineering Delivery: Provide senior technical and project leadership by applying recognised project management frameworks and engineering best practices to control scope, cost, schedule, risk, quality, and change. Establish robust performance monitoring, reporting, and escalation mechanisms. Lead complex technical solution development, ensuring alignment with customer requirements, engineering standards, constructability, and contractual obligations. Act as a key decision‑maker in resolving technical, quality and execution risks across the project lifecycle.
• Financial, Commercial, Reporting & Close‑Out Accountability: Own financial and commercial performance at project level, including cost control, forecasting accuracy, cash flow, and margin protection. Partner closely with project controls and finance to achieve milestone delivery and cash collection targets. Govern contractual change management, ensuring variations are identified early, evaluated rigorously and implemented in line with delegation of authority and governance requirements. Ensure disciplined project close‑out, including customer acceptance, documentation, handover, and post‑project review.
• Safety First: Demonstrate 100% commitment to our zero harm behaviours in support of our drive towards developing a world class safety culture.

Job Knowledge/Education and Qualifications

• Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field; PMP Certification or equivalent project management qualification (preferred).
• Project Management Experience: Minimum of 8 years’ experience in Capital p\Project execution within an engineering, Manufacturing, Mining, Project House, or PMO environment, including at least 5 years in a lead project management or senior project engineering capacity.
• Industry Experience: Proven experience managing small, medium, and large‑scale projects end‑to‑end, from project initiation through to contractual close‑out, with demonstrated ownership of delivery outcomes across scope, schedule, cost, quality, and risk. Experience working within mineral processing equipment, process plant, or material handling environments.
• Governance & Contracts: Proven experience working within contract‑driven and governance‑controlled project environments, including application of formal project governance frameworks, change control, and delegation of authority. Demonstrated capability in interpreting and managing contractual obligations, variations, and risk exposure, while protecting commercial outcomes and ensuring compliance with internal and external governance requirements.

We are Weir!

Founded in 1871, Weir engineers solutions that improve safety, efficiency and sustainability – helping to provide the essential resources needed by a growing world. We are a global family. We are proud of our unique blend of talent, technology and culture. We are here to inspire you to do the best work of your life!

For additional information about what it’s like to work at Weir, please visit our Career Page.

Weir is committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability, age, or any other legally protected status.

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