Senior Mechanical Engineer

WSP is one of the most diverse consulting firms in Africa. To further our strategic business execution plan, we are seeking leaders who share our guiding principles – we value our people and our reputation; we are locally dedicated on an international scale; we are future-focused and challenge the status quo; we foster collaboration in everything we do, and we have an empowering culture and hold ourselves accountable. We are committed to the achievement and maintenance of diversity and equity in employment.

Key Role:

The following guidelines outline the responsibilities of the Senior Mechanical Engineer position. While they include the items listed below, the role is not limited to these tasks. These serve as indicators of eligibility and capability for the position, with final suitability determined by management and contingent on the availability of an engineering position.

We are strengthening our Mechanical offering at the Cape Town office by appointing a Senior Mechanical Engineer with strong client relationships in the greater Cape Town property sector. The ideal candidate will hold a B.Eng., B.Sc. Eng., or B.Tech. Eng. (Mechanical) degree and have 7+ years of experience in the Building Services Consulting sector, as well as 2+ years of post-registration experience as a Pr. Eng. or Pr. Tech Eng.

The role involves providing consulting engineering services for the design, implementation, and closeout of Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) systems. It encompasses a full HVAC consulting spectrum, from project inception, detailed design, documentation, and procurement, through to construction, site monitoring, and project closeout. The candidate must be able to lead projects, supported by engineers and modelers, ensuring both technical and commercial success. While the focus is on HVAC systems, a broad knowledge of Wet Services/Public Health and Fire Engineering Services is also essential.

Key Responsibilities:

Technical Expertise:

• Possess a high level of technical proficiency.
• Capable of independently managing projects from inception to closeout.
• Proficient in HVAC design, including air conditioning heat load and ventilation calculations, in line with local and international standards.
• Skilled in various HVAC design software (e.g., HAP, Loadest, IES) and air/fluid/heat flow calculation tools.
• Proficient in HVAC modeling software and BIM tools (AutoCAD, Revit, BIM360), and knowledgeable in manual air psychrometric analysis and design.
• Broad understanding of Wet Services/Public Health and Fire Engineering Services.
• Knowledge of South African National Standards (SANS), particularly ventilation, with an understanding of global standards like British Standards and ASHRAE as an advantage.
• Expertise in specifying and approving specialist equipment.

Client Care & Marketing:

• Build and maintain strong client relationships, earning respect and trust.
• Understand clients’ needs and deliver tailored solutions.
• Attend networking and client functions to foster relationships and generate repeat business.
• An established client base is advantageous.

Time & Team Management:

• Effectively manage both junior and senior staff on large projects.
• Demonstrate strong leadership in communication, resource management, and teamwork.
• Lead a team of engineers, ensuring collaboration and project success.
• Ability to work unsupervised, managing time, quality, and effort to deliver high-quality results within time and cost constraints.

Project & Financial Management:

• Manage professional fees and control project-related debt.
• Handle project scoping, scope monitoring, and cost control related to mechanical systems.
• Proficient in preparing tender documentation and managing the tender process.
• Competent in the formulation of Bills of Quantities (BOQs).
• Oversee contractor and contract management within the mechanical discipline

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving:

• Apply logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions.
• Make sound judgments and decisions using both deductive and inductive reasoning.
• Use scientific principles to solve complex engineering problems.

Communication Skills:

• Effectively convey information, both written and oral.
• Possess excellent communication and technical report-writing skills.

Quality Assurance & Site Supervision:

• Ensure quality control (QA/QC) throughout project stages.
• Provide site supervision and monitor construction processes.
• Troubleshoot issues on existing installations.

Key Competencies and Generic Skills:

• Code B drivers’ licence (preferably own car)
• Computer literacy (programming skills will be advantageous)
• Experience in various Autodesk products (AutoCAD, Revit, Navisworks, BIM360 suite)
• Must be self-motivated
• Team player
• Excellent communicator and good discussion and problem resolution skills
• A self-starter who can run with and manage his own projects with the guidance of a senior engineer
• Skilled in thermodynamic and pipe network design principles
• Must be responsible and have a high level of self-sufficiency and be able to apply common sense
• Must have a questioning and inquisitive mind
• Willing and able to travel abroad

Health and Safety:

• Role model standards for SHEQ performance and behaviour consistent with the company’s health, safety, environmental and quality vision and policies by influencing those around you
• Contributing to the identification of SHEQ risks and driving processes to achieve Zero Harm
• Embracing, displaying and promoting the company values and ensuring a safe working environment is maintained at all times, whether in the office environment, on construction sites or in the general environment

• Must have a Bachelors of Engineer/BSc/B Techn in Mechanical or Mechatronic Engineering
• Must have minimum 3 years post-graduation working experience.
• Must have experience related to HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air-conditioning) Mechanical design on Data Centre projects (non-negotiable).
• Must have experience related to HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air-conditioning) Mechanical construction monitoring on Data Centre projects.
• Must have a good understanding and working knowledge of Revit and BIM360
• Experience in Wet Services and Fire Engineering Services will be advantageous.
• Individual must currently be working for a consultancy as a mechanical engineer in the data centre space or at a data centre
• Pr Eng or Pr Tech Eng or candidate (non-negotiable)

What's in it for you?

What if we can have work-life balance? What if we can be rewarded in ways that support our individual needs? What if we can be accepted for who we are? Here at WSP – we can!

WSP recognizes that work is only one part of our lives and making time for the other things in our life is important – be that our families, our friends or ourselves. So, if working from home, working part-time or having flexible start and finish time will help with this let us know as part of your application.