Project Engineer / Project Management Lead (Engineering Sector)

Astratek Manufacturing Engineers; Parow; On-site; ZAR 500 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in Western Cape, South Africa is seeking a Project Engineer / Project Management Lead. You will manage complex engineering projects within the FMCG industry, blending technical design and project management leadership. Ideal candidates have a degree in engineering and 3-5 years of relevant experience, with a focus on process improvement and customer relationship management. The role offers a dynamic work environment with opportunities for growth and flexible working hours.

Benefits

Generous leave policy

Flexible work hours

Supportive corporate culture

Access to the latest technology

Qualifications

• 3 – 5 years experience with at least 1 – 2 years in a leadership role.
• Experience within the FMCG sector preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage and lead engineering projects from concept to completion.
• Establish and refine project management frameworks.
• Mentor junior engineers and facilitate internal learning.
• Ensure compliance with statutory and hygienic design standards.

Skills

Project Controls

Cost Control

Leadership Skills

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Education

Mechanical or related Engineering Degree

Tools

AutoCAD LT

Microsoft 365

MS Projects

Job description

Project Engineer / Project Management Lead (Engineering Sector)

Qualifications required: Mechanical or related Engineering Degree

Experience: 3 – 5 years with a minimum of 1 – 2 years in a leadership role

We are looking for a Project Engineer / Project Management Lead to play a key role in shaping and delivering complex engineering projects within the FMCG industry, while developing our internal project management capability. This role blends technical design expertise with strategic project management leadership — ideal for someone who enjoys both designing systems and improving how teams work together to deliver them.

The ideal candidate will be experienced in:

Project Management Development

• Establishand refine Astratek’s project management frameworks, tools, and governance systems to drive delivery excellence.
• Identify operational inefficiencies and implement process improvements that enhance planning, coordination, and reporting.
• Build cross-functional alignment between engineering, operations, and client-facing teams through effective collaboration.
• Mentor junior engineers and facilitate internal learning sessions to strengthen project management capability.
• Manage key clients and OEM relationships, ensuring alignment on project goals, timelines, and outcomes.
• Champion a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Quality Management Processes, e.g. ISO 9001
• Contract-, Risk- and Procurement Management
• Microsoft 365 proficient with a good understanding of Teams, Excel, Word, One Drive, Sharedrive, Outlook
• MS Projects proficient
• Project Management experience within the FMCG sector will receive a preference
• Experience in execution of EPC projects of medium to large size

Engineering Design and Project Delivery

• Responsible for managing/leading engineering projects from concept to completion, managing both design and execution phases.
• Create detailed 2D designs using AutoCAD LT, ensuring precision and compliance with specifications.
• Design HVAC systems, piping networks, and process layouts for optimized performance and energy efficiency.
• Develop manufacturing facility layouts focused on safe, efficient flow of people, materials, and products.
• Ensure all projects comply with statutory and hygienic design standards (SANS, EHEDG).
• Coordinate budgets, schedules, and communications to deliver projects on time and to specification.
• Proficiency in CAD Software

Skill requirements for the position

• Deep knowledge on Project Controls (cost controls, contract management and scheduling)
• Consolidated knowledge in planning software (MS Projects)
• Cost control – Plan and prepare accurate project estimates
• HSE & Quality Management – Compliance with policies and procedures

Deep understanding related to the requirements set for in the following

• Occupational Health & Safety Act 85 of 1993, Construction Regulation and
• Construction Regulations, 2014
• Project and Construction Management Professions Act 48 of 2000
• Government Gazette: The Scope of Work for Categories of Registration of the Project and Construction Management Professions

• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills (English with a second language as an added benefit)
• Numerate
• Ability to work within a Team but also function independently
• Ability to think logically
• Professional Customer service skills
• Tenacity – Have a “get things done” attitude and good work ethic
• Attention to detail
• Ability to handle high-pressure and bottleneck situations
• Organisation skills – able to prioritise and manage time well
• Strong leadership skills
• High degree of flexibility and adaptability to a changing environment
• Strong Customer and Business focus, Effective management of multiple stakeholders
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities
• A self-starter who enjoys building systems, mentoring others, and driving meaningful change

Why choose Astratek Manufacturing Engineers?

• We are well equipped with the latest technology
• We have comfortable offices with many perks and we are well located for easy access
• Our generous leave policy
• Flexitime offers flexible work hours and time off for additional hours worked
• Supportive corporate culture and value system with regular review by an external expert
• Fast growing and dynamic organisation
• Interesting and varied projects
• Good learning and growth opportunities

About us

Our Team has a deep understanding of plant design and operations, and is well recognised in industry for our innovative and well-engineered solutions.

We are engineers at heart, which means we value engineering excellence, professionalism, reliability and honesty. Our team has worked together for many years in a successful South African manufacturing group where we have honed our skills in the real world.

Having had experience in a wide variety of projects, we understand the importance of finding innovative solutions that are cost effective to build and operate ensuring to deliver what is required, every time. Our Clients’ objective is our objective.