Senior Mechanical Engineer

Tenova S.p.A.; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,350,000; Full time

Job summary

Tenova South Africa, part of the Techint Group, seeks a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead high-temperature furnace design and multidisciplinary project execution. You will develop conceptual and detailed designs, ensuring safety, quality, and on-time delivery across global assignments.

You will mentor engineers, drive best-practice design methods, review calculations, and coordinate with Process, Structural, Piping, Electrical and Control teams.

Qualifications

• 10-15 years of progressive engineering experience with increasing responsibility and technical leadership.
• Furnace design experience preferable.
• Demonstrated expertise across multiple engineering disciplines and industries.
• Experience in mentoring, training, or leading junior engineers.
• History of taking ownership of complex, multi-million-rand projects from concept through commissioning.

Responsibilities

• Develop conceptual and detailed design of engineered components for furnaces and related high temperature equipment.
• Lead execution of engineering by self and team, ensuring calculations, drawings and docs are complete and issued on time.
• Establish best practices in design methodology and technical calculations; drive value-engineered solutions.
• Lead design reviews and provide guidance on complex engineering challenges.
• Travel internationally for project requirements, sometimes for weeks.

Skills

AutoCAD

Inventor

Vault

FEA

CFD modelling

Heat transfer

Thermodynamics

Structural analysis

Piping interfaces

HAZOP

Education

Mechanical Engineering Degree (B.Eng / B.Tech Mechanical Eng.)

ECSA Pr. Eng (preferable)

Job description

Tenova, a Techint Group company, is a worldwide partner for sustainable, innovative and reliable solutions in the metals and also through the well-known TAKRAF and DELKOR brands in the mining industries. Tenova leverages a workforce of over 2,500 forward-thinking professionals located in 18 countries across 5 continents, who design technologies and develop services that help companies reduce costs, save energy, limit environmental impact and improve working conditions.

Your role in Tenova: Senior Mechanical Engineer

Description:

Tenova, a Techint Group company, is a worldwide partner for innovative, reliable solutions in the metals and mining industries. Tenova, leverages a workforce of over 2,500 forward-thinking professionals located in 18 countries across 5 continents, who design technologies and develop services that help companies reduce costs, save energy, limit environmental impact and improve working conditions.

VACANCY

Senior Mechanical Engineer

(Fulltime Permanent position)

Tenova South Africa

Closing Date: 11 November 2026

We are seeking someone with substantial experience and energy for leadership growth.

We're looking for a Snr. Mechanical Engineer who has worked across various projects and industries, building a wealth of experience that can benefit our entire team. The ideal candidate will have faced diverse engineering challenges and developed proven methodologies for solving complex problems.

The candidate should be someone who colleagues naturally turn to for guidance, with a track record of elevating team performance through knowledge sharing and mentorship.

Your role will be to:

• Develop conceptual and detailed design of engineered components for furnaces and related high temperature equipment using modern engineering tools, according to the contract, the safety rules, and the time schedule.
• Prior Furnace knowledge is not essential, but fundamental understanding and experience of high temperature systems and designs involving refractories are essential.
• Take responsibility for the execution of engineering done by yourself and team members under your direction on projects, ensuring that all the calculations, drawings and technical documents are complete and issued in time, by involving the relevant expertise within the Company.
• Ensure the continuous improvement and innovation of designs, systems and procedures for operational functions.
• Establish best practices in design methodology, problem-solving approaches, and technical calculations
• Lead by example in demonstrating engineering competence and work discipline
• Conduct technical reviews and provide guidance to team members on complex engineering challenges
• Transfer knowledge from diverse industry experience to enhance the overall capability of the engineering team
• Travel internationally for project requirements sometimes for several weeks at a time

You will perform the following activities

• Assist in preparing all contract deliverables on a project (i.e., drawings, manuals, reports and specifications for manufacturing, installation, procurement, and operations).
• Ensure designs are technically acceptable, safe, completed on time and within budget.
• Provide technical input during manufacturing and commissioning phases
• On-site commissioning
• Report changes and delays on the project as soon as they arise.
• Drive value engineered solutions.
• Lead design reviews relating to equipment package designs.
• Maintain strict adherence to safety protocols and quality standards
• Ensure designs conform to the logistics strategy of the project.
• Work closely with the relevant drawing office employees to produce accurate drawings on time.
• Collaborate effectively with Process, Structural, Piping, Electrical, Control and Instrumentation disciplines.

Competencies

• Competence in using drawing packages such as (AutoCAD/Inventor/Vault)
• Proficiency in FEA and CFD modelling - both application and critical evaluation of results
• Advanced knowledge of mechanical engineering principles, including:
  • Heat transfer and thermodynamics modelling
  • Structural analysis and materials selection
  • Manufacturing processes, trial assembly and construction techniques
  • High-temperature refractory systems
• Strong structural engineering capability, including structural steelwork design; equipment support structures, platforms and access systems; assessment of static, dynamic, thermal and seismic loads; critical review of structural calculations and finite element analysis; constructability reviews; and verification of deliverables against applicable codes and project specifications
• Piping engineering interfaces, including P&IDs, piping layouts, material specifications, stress-analysis requirements, pipe supports and design reviews
• Working knowledge of HAZOP, P&IDs, and plant commissioning procedures

Professional Attributes

• Strong problem-solving methodology that can be transferred to others
• Commanding technical presence that inspires confidence in colleagues
• Results-oriented with high attention to detail
• Ability to work independently while building team capability
• Stress tolerance and ability to manage multiple priorities
• Commitment to safety-first culture and quality excellence

Required qualification & experience

• Mechanical Engineering Degree (B.Eng / B.Tech Mechanical Eng.)
• ECSA Pr. Eng (preferable)
• 10-15 years of progressive engineering experience demonstrating increasing responsibility and technical leadership
• Furnace design experience preferable
• Demonstrated expertise across multiple engineering disciplines and industries - we value diverse experience that brings fresh perspectives
• Substantial hands-on structural engineering experience on multidisciplinary industrial projects, including the design and technical review of equipment support steelwork, platforms, access structures, foundations and structural interfaces; development and verification of loading data and design criteria; coordination with civil, mechanical and piping disciplines; resolution of site and constructability issues; and oversight of structural deliverables from concept and detailed design through fabrication, construction and commissioning.
• Practical experience coordinating piping engineering activities across the same project lifecycle is also required
• Experience in mentoring, training, or leading junior engineers
• History of taking ownership of complex, multi-million-rand projects from concept through commissioning
• Experience in establishing or improving engineering processes and standards

We are committed to building a diverse, high-performing engineering team that delivers world-class solutions while developing the next generation of engineering leaders.

Workplace: Midrand, Johannesburg , South Africa

Must be able to travel internationally

Preference will be given to female and affirmative action candidates.