Secunda: Principal Engineer – Portfolio Lead

About the Role

The Principal Engineer – Portfolio Lead is a critical role that requires exceptional technical, administrative, and leadership skills to lead engineering projects for our organization. As a hands-on manager, you will oversee and complete engineering projects, share knowledge with all personnel, and ensure alignment with NAKO standards, regulatory requirements, and client specifications.

Key Responsibilities

• Demonstrates sound technical skills and applies the necessary skills and behaviours to tasks to deliver quality, accurate, and timely work.
• Undertakes appropriate administrative responsibilities.
• Oversees and takes accountability for tender documentation, and tender analysis reports.
• Ensures alignment and compliance with NAKO standards, engineering best practices, regulatory and statutory requirements and clients’ specifications and expectations.
• Functions as part of a project team, liaising with other professional team members, other engineering disciplines, office managers, and contractors.
• Ensures engineering services are effectively implemented on projects and that client objectives are met.
• Oversees and takes accountability for initial feasibility and scoping, through detailed design, to support for procurement, construction, commissioning, and final handover of projects within the required timescales and agreed design budgets.
• Oversees and takes accountability for production of technical reports, calculations, and development of design and construction drawings and specifications in compliance with relevant industry standards and to ensure all solutions are safe to build, operate, and maintain.
• Reviews engineering deliverables before final approval.
• Provides leadership, mentorship, and guidance to subordinate staff members.
• Adheres to the ECSA Code of Conduct.

• Complies with NAKO LBE QMS system group P1 – Project Implementation Systems and P2 – Project Management Systems.
• Compiles a fully populated project schedule (e.g., resources, tasks, dates, etc.).
• Prepares client quotations for review and approval.
• Fulfils the role of project leader and/or project engineer as appropriate for multi-disciplinary projects.
• Leads engineering, drafting and project teams.
• Effective and efficient planning, management, and execution of projects in terms of scope, resources, time, costs, and quality. Including changes to project scope.
• Oversees and takes accountability for construction stage monitoring, admin, and financial functions.
• Manages all aspects of vendors and subcontractors.
• Ensures vendor and subcontractor service level agreements and insurance requirements are implemented and sound procurement procedures are followed.
• Responsible for the project quality of own projects.
• Conforms with contractual requirements.
• Records all time spent on projects by completing timesheets with descriptive comments in a timely manner.
• Reviews and approves timesheets.
• Ensures project invoicing is done on time and according to NAKO QMS and contractual requirements.
• Compiles monthly forecasts of projects.
• Ensures project documentation is managed as per NAKO QMS and client requirements.

• Undertakes appropriate marketing activities for the benefit of the company.
• Provides excellent client service.
• Maintains, manages and reports on key account customers.
• Keeps abreast of new developments in the markets.
• Develops new client relationships.

• Manages financial performance of projects, identifies, and resolves problems, and discusses with relevant parties.
• Monitors and manages invoicing.
• Monitors and manages debtors.
• Optimises resource utilisation.
• Reduces unnecessary expenditures.
• Prepares reports on actual project costs vs budgeted costs. Projects are delivered within the allowable budget and allocated hours.

• Adheres to project procedures and quality plans in line with company policies.
• Assists with the implementation of the company’s strategic goals and objectives.
• Maintains quality throughout the process.
• Resolves issues with the team when service outputs do not conform to high quality standards.
• Addresses and actions internal and external concerns on time.
• Ensures OH&S procedures and requirements are complied with.
• Adheres to sound tender procurement procedures.
• Prepares and submits relevant reports as per organisational structure.

• Maintains clear communication, regular updates, and collaborative decision-making.
• Understands needs and provides tailored solutions to meet requirements.
• Commits to building enduring relationships and delivering optimal customer satisfaction.

Requirements

• BSc/BEng Degree in Civil Engineering.
• Registered as a Professional Engineer with ECSA.
• More than 10 years’ experience

Qualifications