Structural Engineer

Aecom; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A global engineering firm is seeking a Structural Engineer specializing in HV transmission lines in Cape Town. This role includes providing technical leadership on various projects, working with a team to deliver optimal designs and solutions. The ideal candidate should have a Bachelor's in Structural Engineering and significant experience in HV design. A flexible hybrid work arrangement is offered, promoting a balanced work-life environment.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Paid time off and leaves of absence

Flexible work options

Employee assistance program

Qualifications

• 8–10 years of relevant experience in HV (kV+) transmission design.
• Chartered or Professional Engineer status is preferred.
• Proven experience in delivering HV overhead line projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior technical leadership for transmission line projects.
• Model towers using PLS-TOWER or PLS-POLE.
• Plan and execute HV transmission line projects.

Skills

HV transmission design

Project management

Structural analysis

Technical leadership

Collaboration skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Structural Engineering

Tools

PLS-CADD

PLS-TOWER

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Overview

Company Description: AECOM is seeking a Structural Engineer - HV Transmission Lines to be based in South Africa's Enterprise Capabilities office in Cape Town. This position will support a team locally based in South Africa and Global Teams. AECOM offers a flexible hybrid work arrangement which accommodates both office and out-of-office work schedules.

Job Description

The Structural Engineer provides senior technical leadership and delivery capability across a broad range of transmission line projects from kV to kV. This includes greenfield projects, asset upgrades, reconductoring, thermal uprating, foundation and structure strengthening, line cut-ins, and asset renewal schemes. The role involves hands-on design, technical review, and interdisciplinary collaboration across project stages from concept to construction.

• Model towers or poles using PLS-TOWER or PLS-POLE, including strength, stability, and member capacity checks.
• Support or lead foundation assessments and designs (pad, pile, raft, grillage) in collaboration with geotechnical engineers.
• Prepare or review general arrangement drawings, connection details, fabrication drawings, and part lists.
• Assess the structural adequacy of towers/poles for reconductoring, uprating, or retrofit purposes.
• Contribute to constructability assessments including cranage, access, erection sequencing, and outage constraints.
• Plan, schedule, and execute HV transmission line projects including preparing cost estimates, project budgets, and resource allocation plans.
• Coordinate with project managers, clients and other stakeholders to ensure project requirements are met.
• Provide coordination and technical leadership in the delivery of HV transmission line engineering and design projects/packages.
• Develop transmission line alignments, profiles, and structure spotting using PLS-CADD; perform sag-tension analysis and validate clearances to relevant standards.
• Prepare and review design deliverables including plan/profile drawings, stringing charts, structure schedules, and loading reports.
• Assess tower and pole structure loading and coordinate foundation designs with geotechnical inputs.
• Lead or contribute to project types including: greenfield designs, reconductoring and sag-tension recalculations, uprating and clearance improvement studies, structure/pole strength assessments and retrofits, foundation strengthening, line cut-ins/tee-offs/route deviations, tower/pole replacements, and asset renewal.
• Review design outputs, participate in QA/verification processes, and support constructability assessments.
• Support delivery of construction-ready drawings and material schedules; coordinate with drafting, structural, civil, electrical, and geotechnical teams for integrated outputs.
• Provide guidance and mentoring to junior engineers and contribute to continuous improvement through lessons learned and design innovation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (Structural Engineering) is essential.
• 8–10 years of relevant experience in HV (kV+) overhead line transmission design and delivery.
• Chartered or Professional Engineer status (or working towards it) is preferred.
• Proven experience delivering HV OHL projects including new builds, reconductoring, uprating, and asset renewals.
• Ability to coordinate across disciplines and review detailed technical outputs to a high standard.
• Essential software: PLS-CADD, PLS-TOWER/PLS-POLE, Microsoft Excel / Office.

Additional Information

• At AECOM, you will have freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. Our Freedom to Grow philosophy supports flexibility and balance to help our people thrive.
• As part of this approach, hybrid employees are asked to work from an AECOM office at least three days per week.
• AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.
• AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world, with teams solving client challenges across water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings.
• We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and will keep all information confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Learn more at What makes AECOM a great place to work. You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions.