Principal Transportation Civil Engineer

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Provident fund

Professional development funding

Conference attendance

Flexible remote work

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Transportation Civil Engineer to lead planning, design, and delivery of major transportation infrastructure in Durban and KwaZulu-Natal. You will oversee road design, traffic engineering, and planning, guiding multidisciplinary teams on flagship projects.

This remote-first leadership role emphasizes innovation, sustainability, and stakeholder engagement, with collaboration across Durban-based teams and international partners, while ensuring compliance with

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Civil Engineering with a Transportation specialization.
• Pr.Eng. registration with ECSA.
• Minimum 12 years in transportation engineering, with ≥5 years in senior/principal roles.
• Expertise in road design software (Civil 3D, MXRoads, Bentley) and traffic modeling (VISSIM, SIDRA).
• Experience delivering large-scale road/highway projects in Durban or KwaZulu-Natal.

Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptualization, design, and implementation of complex transportation infrastructure projects.
• Provide technical leadership in road design, traffic engineering, and planning.
• Manage project scopes, budgets, and schedules to ensure timely, cost-effective delivery.
• Conduct feasibility studies, route analyses, and environmental assessments.
• Liaise with government authorities and clients to secure approvals.
• Develop design proposals, reports, and documentation for stakeholders.
• Mentor junior and mid-level engineers and foster high-performance teams.
• Ensure compliance with SA standards and best practices.

Skills

Road design

Traffic engineering

Transportation planning

Project leadership

Team mentoring

Education

Master's degree in Civil Engineering

Pr. Eng. registration with ECSA

Tools

Civil 3D

MXRoads

Bentley software

VISSIM

SIDRA

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a distinguished international engineering consultancy, is seeking an exceptional Principal Transportation Civil Engineer to join their expanding division in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal . This senior leadership role will focus on the planning, design, and delivery of major transportation infrastructure projects, including highways, arterial roads, intersections, and public transport systems. You will be at the forefront of leveraging innovative design techniques and sustainable practices to shape the future of mobility in Durban and beyond. The ideal candidate will possess a strong technical background, extensive project management experience, and a proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams. This position offers a unique opportunity to influence major urban and regional development projects, working with a diverse range of clients and stakeholders. We are dedicated to fostering an environment of technical excellence and professional growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptualization, design, and implementation of complex transportation infrastructure projects.


• Provide technical leadership and direction to engineering teams in areas such as road design, traffic engineering, and transportation planning.


• Manage project scopes, budgets, and schedules, ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery of high-quality engineering solutions.


• Conduct feasibility studies, route selection analyses, and environmental impact assessments for transportation projects.


• Liaise with government authorities, municipal bodies, and private sector clients to secure project approvals and facilitate smooth project progression.


• Develop and present design proposals, reports, and technical documentation to clients and stakeholders.


• Mentor and develop junior and mid-level engineers, fostering a high-performance team culture.


• Ensure compliance with all relevant South African national standards, municipal bylaws, and international best practices for transportation engineering.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Civil Engineering with a specialization in Transportation Engineering.


• Professional Engineer (Pr. Eng.) registration with ECSA.


• A minimum of 12 years of experience in transportation engineering, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership or principal role.


• In-depth knowledge of road design software (e.g., Civil 3D, MXRoads, Bentley) and traffic modeling software (e.g., VISSIM, SIDRA).


• Proven experience in managing large-scale road and highway projects from inception to completion.


• Strong understanding of traffic management principles, network analysis, and public transport integration.


• Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate project teams.


• Excellent client management, negotiation, and presentation skills.


• Experience working on projects within Durban or KwaZulu-Natal is highly preferred.

Benefits

This role offers a highly competitive salary package, benchmarked against industry standards, plus a significant annual performance bonus.

Benefits include comprehensive private medical insurance, a generous provident fund, and substantial opportunities for professional development, including funded certifications and conference attendance.

You will be working on flagship projects that significantly impact the region's infrastructure.

This is a remote-first position, allowing flexibility in your work location while ensuring seamless collaboration with our Durban -based teams and international counterparts.

Our client values innovation, collaboration, and the well-being of its employees, providing a dynamic and supportive work environment.