Technical Manager Armoured Vehicles

Network Finance; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Network Finance is seeking an experienced Technical Manager – Armoured Vehicles to provide technical leadership across the design, development, integration, testing and production of advanced armoured vehicle platforms. This senior role leads multidisciplinary teams through the complete product lifecycle, ensuring performance, survivability, reliability, safety and manufacturability.

The successful candidate will drive design optimisation, coordinate interfaces, and engage with customers and

Qualifications

• BEng/BSc/BTech in Mechanical/Mechatronics or related field.
• 8–10 years' relevant engineering experience in defence or related environment.
• Proven leadership or engineering management experience.
• Experience taking products from concept through production.
• Strong understanding of mechanical systems and vehicle integration.
• Proficiency with CAD and engineering design tools.
• Strong technical report-writing and documentation skills.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical abilities.
• Strong project management and stakeholder management.
• Willingness to travel when required.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership across armoured vehicle design and development programmes.
• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams and mentor engineers.
• Manage engineering activities from concept and feasibility through detailed design, prototyping, testing, validation and production.
• Review and approve engineering designs, calculations, drawings, specifications and documentation.
• Provide technical direction on vehicle structures, chassis, suspension, driveline, armour integration and mechanical systems.
• Drive design optimisation with a focus on weight, performance, reliability, cost and manufacturability.
• Lead technical investigations, root-cause analysis and resolution of complex engineering problems.
• Support prototype builds, vehicle integration, testing, verification and validation programmes.
• Engage with customers, suppliers and internal stakeholders on technical requirements and engineering solutions.
• Develop and maintain engineering standards, procedures, specifications and design methodologies.
• Ensure compliance with applicable defence, automotive, engineering, safety and quality standards.
• Contribute to project planning, resource allocation, budgets and technical delivery.
• Participate in customer presentations, technical reviews and programme meetings.
• Identify opportunities for technology development, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Ensure that engineering projects are delivered within agreed technical, cost, quality and programme requirements.

Skills

Technical leadership

Engineering management

Product development

Concept to production

Problem solving

Analytical thinking

CAD tools

Documentation

Project management

Stakeholder management

Education

BEng/BSc/BTech in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering or related

Tools

CAD software

Engineering design tools

Job description

A leading defence and specialised vehicle engineering organisation is seeking an experienced Technical Manager – Armoured Vehicles to provide technical leadership across the design, development, integration, testing and production of advanced armoured vehicle platforms. This is a senior engineering leadership opportunity for a technically strong professional with a background in armoured vehicles, military vehicles, heavy vehicles, automotive engineering or specialised vehicle development. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring that engineering solutions meet stringent requirements for performance, survivability, reliability, safety, manufacturability and operational readiness, while leading multidisciplinary engineering teams through the complete product lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership across armoured vehicle design and development programmes.
• Lead and mentor multidisciplinary engineering teams, including mechanical, electrical, electronic and systems engineers.
• Manage engineering activities from concept and feasibility through detailed design, prototyping, testing, validation and production.
• Review and approve engineering designs, calculations, drawings, specifications and technical documentation.
• Provide technical direction on vehicle structures, chassis, suspension, driveline, armour integration and mechanical systems.
• Coordinate mechanical, electrical, electronic and systems engineering interfaces to ensure effective vehicle-level integration.
• Drive design optimisation with a focus on weight, performance, reliability, cost and manufacturability.
• Lead technical investigations, root-cause analysis and resolution of complex engineering problems.
• Support prototype builds, vehicle integration, testing, verification and validation programmes.
• Analyse test results and implement engineering improvements where required.
• Provide technical support to manufacturing, assembly, commissioning and field-service teams.
• Manage engineering changes, configuration control and product improvements throughout the vehicle lifecycle.
• Engage with customers, suppliers and internal stakeholders on technical requirements and engineering solutions.
• Develop and maintain engineering standards, procedures, specifications and design methodologies.
• Ensure compliance with applicable defence, automotive, engineering, safety and quality standards.
• Support technical risk assessments, design reviews, FMEA and other engineering assurance activities.
• Contribute to project planning, resource allocation, budgets and technical delivery.
• Participate in customer presentations, technical reviews and programme meetings.
• Identify opportunities for technology development, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Ensure that engineering projects are delivered within agreed technical, cost, quality and programme requirements.

Minimum Requirements

• BEng/BSc/BTech in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum 8–10 years' relevant engineering experience, preferably within the defence, armoured vehicle, military vehicle, automotive, heavy vehicle or specialised vehicle environment.
• Proven experience in technical leadership or engineering management.
• Strong experience in product development and engineering design.
• Demonstrated experience taking engineering products from concept through to production.
• Strong understanding of mechanical systems, vehicle structures and vehicle integration.
• Experience with engineering analysis, design verification and validation.
• Proficiency with relevant CAD and engineering design tools.
• Strong technical report-writing and documentation skills.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical capability.
• Strong project management, planning and stakeholder management skills.
• Willingness to travel when required.