Cape Town City Centre: HVAC MECHANICAL DESIGNER

You will join a specialist design team delivering Mechanical, Electrical, Refrigeration and Ventilation solutions within the supermarket / retail sector. The role is structured to support your transition from CAD Technician to Design Engineer through formal mentoring, training, and hands-on project exposure. You will start within the CAD department to embed drawing standards and systems, while gradually taking on design responsibility across HVAC and Refrigeration disciplines. COMPANY COMMITMENT Structured mentorship programme with clear objectives and milestones Ongoing technical training and development Supportive team environment with access to senior engineers Direct mentorship from the Head of Feasibility & Design Realistic development timelines with patience and guidance KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (Training will be provided) Project Management & Coordination Manage and track project scope and schedule changes Maintain communication with delivery teams, coordinators and stakeholders Attend online client meetings and internal/external design reviews Respond to design queries and resolve technical issues HVAC & Refrigeration Design Perform heat load and refrigeration load calculations Size HVAC and refrigeration equipment Produce retail ME&R design layouts Develop pipe sizing calculations and isometric drawings Design & Engineering Management Interpret client plans, briefs and specifications Produce detailed engineering drawings for tender and construction Review designs with clients, consultants and internal teams Address consultant audits and engineering reports Stakeholder Management Liaise with internal teams, consultants, architects and suppliers Coordinate across architecture, engineering and construction teams Documentation & Reporting Prepare and review technical reports and site documentation Manage drawing revisions and design change tracking Compliance & Standards Ensure compliance with applicable regulations and standards, including: UK Building Regulations EN378 CDM PESR Sustainability & Innovation Design with focus on energy efficiency, TCO and low-carbon solutions ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES & EXPERIENCE Strong AutoCAD foundation (essential) Background in Mechanical, Electrical, Refrigeration, Construction, Architecture or Structural fields Solid understanding of engineering principles and drawing production High attention to detail with strong organisational skills Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently (typically 34 schemes) Strong communication and coordination skills Structured, methodical and results-driven approach Positive, flexible mindset with a strong willingness to learn QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS Diploma or Certificate in Drafting, Mechanical Engineering or related field Minimum 4 years AutoCAD drafting/design experience Proficient in AutoCAD 2018 or newer (2D & 3D) TEAMWORK & CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT Contribute to best practices and design improvements Stay current with ME&R industry developments Support SOP development and refinement Proactively follow up on open tasks and information requests NICE TO HAVE (NOT ESSENTIAL) Experience with Revit, Inventor, SolidWorks or similar BIM exposure HVAC / Mechanical / Electrical / Refrigeration certifications Understanding of sustainable design principles WHATS ON OFFER 3-month probation period Permanent full-time employment Hybrid working (home & office) 15 days annual leave public holidays Additional annual leave after year one (up to 21 days) Career progression and development path Competitive salary (experience dependent) Laptop and external screen provided