Project Engineer: Mechanical at AECI Limited

Purpose of the Job

• The purpose of this position is to support the Group Corporate Projects Department in the successful delivery of multiple capital projects, with a strong focus on mechanical engineering scope, in accordance with best-practice engineering and project management standards.
• The incumbent will be responsible for managing the development of mechanical and multi-disciplinary engineering design packages, including equipment specifications, piping systems, and mechanical layouts. The role includes preparing and motivating capital expenditure proposals, managing capital budgets, and driving the execution of mechanical engineering projects to ensure they are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and in line with operational and end-user requirements.
• The role further requires active participation in the development and implementation of contracting, procurement, and construction and commissioning strategies, with particular emphasis on mechanical equipment, fabrication, installation, and system integration.
• In addition, the incumbent will provide techno-economic support by evaluating mechanical design alternatives, equipment selection, lifecycle costs, and project risks to enable informed decision-making aligned with key strategic organisational objectives.

Required outputs: Functional

• Lead and manage mechanical engineering studies and projects from concept development through to detailed design, construction, commissioning, and handover.
• Develop and/or oversee the development of mechanical engineering design packages, including:
• Equipment specifications (static and rotating equipment)
• Piping and valve specifications
• Mechanical datasheets and drawings (GA drawings, isometrics, layouts)
• Material selection and corrosion control strategies
• While coordinating closely with Process, Electrical, Control & Instrumentation (C&I), and Civil disciplines to ensure integrated design delivery.
• Prepare and manage mechanical scope of work, project schedules, execution strategies, budgets, and resource plans aligned to project objectives.
• Ensure mechanical design integrity and compliance through structured design verification processes, including calculations, simulations, and peer reviews.
• Develop and implement Mechanical Quality Management Plans across project phases (Prefeasibility, Feasibility, Detailed Design, Construction, Commissioning).
• Accountable for delivery and execution of an engineering quality plan specific to mechanical scope, ensuring adherence to applicable codes and standards (e.g., ASME, API, ISO, SANS).
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements, particularly as they relate to mechanical installations, pressure systems, and rotating equipment.
• Coordinate with internal engineering teams, contractors, OEMs, and suppliers to ensure alignment of mechanical scope, interfaces, and deliverables.
• Conduct mechanical risk assessments (e.g., equipment failure modes, operability issues) and implement mitigation strategies.
• Manage procurement activities related to mechanical equipment, including:
• Reviewing and evaluating technical bids
• Supporting vendor selection
• Reviewing vendor drawings and documentation
• Oversee mechanical installation, fabrication, inspection, testing, and commissioning, ensuring compliance with design intent and quality standards.
• Ensure effective participation in HAZOP, HAZCON, constructability reviews, and other safety and operability studies, with a strong focus on mechanical risks and interfaces.
• Review and verify mechanical engineering calculations and analyses, including:
• Pipe stress analysis
• Thermal and hydraulic calculations
• Equipment sizing and performance verification
• Material selection and fatigue analysis
• Manage engineering change control processes, ensure document control discipline, and maintain compliance with ISO standards and industry best practices.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of mechanical engineering deliverables across all project stages and implement controls to ensure quality and consistency.
• Coordinate and drive the standardisation of mechanical engineering methodologies, standards, procedures, and documentation templates to ensure consistency and best practice across projects
• Provide technical mechanical specialist support to the Owner’s Team and participate in project stage gate reviews.
• Review and approve mechanical designs and deliverables from contractors, licensors, and vendors to ensure compliance with project requirements and performance expectations.
• Ensure proper management of battery limits and mechanical interfaces, including piping tie-ins, equipment connections, and utility integration, through controlled interface documentation.
• Ensure engineering contractors implement appropriate mechanical safety and risk management studies, design philosophies, and reporting.
• Conduct mechanical design audits and inspections to confirm compliance with codes, standards, and project specifications.
• Support the evaluation and selection of mechanical engineering consultants and contractors, including technical capability assessments during bid evaluations.
• Coordinate mechanical interfaces between Inside Battery Limits (IBL), Outside Battery Limits (OBL), and infrastructure systems, ensuring seamless integration.
• Collaborate with Operations and Business stakeholders to ensure mechanical systems are operable, maintainable, and fully integrated into existing plant environments (e.g., shutdown/start-up philosophies, utilities tie-ins).
•  Oversee development and execution of pre-commissioning and commissioning plans for mechanical systems, including testing protocols and performance verification.
•  Coordinate integration and performance testing of mechanical systems with existing plant operations.
•  Develop mechanical operating guidelines and support the creation of standard operating procedures (SOPs).
•  Actively participate in the capital budgeting process, providing input on mechanical scope, costs, and lifecycle considerations.
•  Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the Group Corporate Projects function, particularly relating to mechanical engineering standards, governance, and execution excellence
• Participate in the development of execution strategies (in-house, semi-turnkey or turnkey) by assessing the project complexity, risk, resource loading and expertise, investment appetite and priority pertaining to business strategy

Qualifications, Knowledge and Skills Requirements

• BScEng/BEng (with honours) in Mechanical Engineering.
• PrEng would be advantageous 
• Management certification/Qualification would be advantageous
• Preference will be given to a candidate that has 5 to 10 years’ project engineering  experience
• The ideal candidate has strong design, engagement skills, is self-motivated and driven with a focus on adding value through the on-time delivery of strategic projects
• Deliver results through quality and safety awareness, planning and organizing, decision making and execution to readily deliver value
• Firm understanding of the Occupational Health and Safety Act
• Demonstrated Project Management track record, and ability to manage multiple projects with internal and external stakeholders
• Advanced proficiency in computer literacy i.e. MS Word, MS Excel, MS Power-point, MS Projects, and SAP

Personal attributes

Competencies (skills, knowledge and characteristics)

• High level of professionalism
• High degree of integrity  
• Strong Leadership Skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Team Player
• Attention to detail, and excellent troubleshooting skills
• Innovative and practical
• Capable of working in matrix/cross functional structures
• Results-driven and performance orientated