Design Engineer (Municipal Services and WCWDM)

The Design Engineer coordinates civil engineering designs for municipal infrastructure projects, ensuring technical compliance, quality and cost-effectiveness. The role includes preparing designs and documentation, coordinating multidisciplinary inputs, supporting procurement and construction, and assisting with project planning, budget control and client engagement.

Duties & Responsibilities

GIBB’s multi-award-winning Integrated Infrastructure Sector provides the roots for communities using innovative and sustainable engineering design, urban planning, and advisory services. Here you will find an environment conducive to helping you make the most of your abilities and skills.

This Sector is looking for another talented professional to complement their team, in the form of a Design Engineer.

We welcome your application if you believe you meet the requirements for this position.

The below-listed responsibilities and requirements will be assessed during the interview stages and will further be confirmed with the relevant professional references that you currently are or have reported to in your previous two positions.

Core Purpose

To undertake and coordinate civil engineering design and technical delivery for GIBB’s consulting engineering projects, with a focus on municipal infrastructure including bulk earthworks, stormwater systems, water and sewer reticulation, minor township roads, non-revenue water reduction and water conservation and demand management. The role is responsible for delivering defined design packages; developing practical, compliant and cost-effective engineering solutions; coordinating calculations, drawings, specifications, reports and procurement documentation; and providing technical support through planning, design, procurement and construction. The Design Engineer will manage defined multidisciplinary interfaces, guide junior technical contributors, support project planning and commercial control, engage with clients and authorities on assigned matters, and prepare technical and fee inputs for proposals, while final professional approval and overall project accountability remain with the appropriately authorised senior professional or project manager.

Key Performance Areas

• Preparation and coordination of civil engineering designs, calculations and technical specifications for defined municipal infrastructure work packages, including bulk earthworks, stormwater systems, water and sewer reticulation, minor township roads, non-revenue water reduction and water conservation and demand management interventions.

• Prepare and coordinate design drawings, layouts, details and schedules using AutoCAD, Civil 3D and other applicable civil engineering design software, in accordance with GIBB drafting standards and project requirements.

• Apply relevant South African legislation, municipal requirements, client standards, GIBB procedures and applicable SANS, DWS and industry standards in the development and checking of designs.

• Participate in design reviews, constructability assessments and project risk reviews, respond to review comments, and implement approved changes under the direction of the responsible professional engineer.

• Undertake engineering investigations, data analysis, option assessments and feasibility studies for municipal infrastructure, including demand analysis, capacity assessments, hydraulic and hydrological analyses, servicing options and preliminary cost inputs, as applicable to the assignment.

• Coordinate civil engineering inputs with project managers, other engineering disciplines, clients, authorities, contractors and specialist service providers to resolve interfaces, obtain required information and deliver coordinated project outputs.

• Prepare clear, accurate and coordinated technical reports, design calculations, specifications, schedules, cost inputs and other project deliverables; maintain orderly design records; and address internal quality-review comments within agreed timeframes.

• Support project planning and control by preparing task estimates, providing programme and fee inputs, monitoring assigned budgets and deadlines, and reporting progress, constraints and forecast changes to the project manager.

• Review drawings, material specifications, bills of quantities and technical submissions for completeness and technical compliance, and submit recommendations to the responsible professional engineer or project manager for approval.

• Provide design-related technical support during procurement and construction, including responding to technical queries, assisting with tender documentation and evaluations, reviewing contractor submissions, resolving design issues and preparing design amendments under appropriate professional oversight.

• Investigate technical problems, evaluate feasible alternatives, document assumptions and recommendations, and develop practical, safe and cost-effective solutions for review by the responsible professional engineer.

• Undertake site investigations, condition assessments, inspections and construction monitoring activities as assigned; record observations accurately; identify departures from design requirements; and report findings to the responsible engineer or project manager.

• Maintain and develop technical competence through structured learning, knowledge sharing, application of lessons learned and compliance with GIBB’s quality management system, while progressing applicable ECSA registration and continuing professional development requirements.

Desired Experience & Qualification

Job Requirements

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (Civil) – BSc/B.Eng/ B.Tech).

• Registration with ECSA as a Candidate Engineer or Candidate Engineering Technologist is required. Professional registration as a Professional Engineer or Professional Engineering Technologist is strongly preferred for appointment at E06 and will be considered together with demonstrated competence and the level of professional responsibility assigned.

• Proficiency in CAD software such as AutoCAD, Civil 3D, ArcGIS, or similar.

• 5 - 7 years of engineering design experience (or as specified by the organisation).

Person Requirements

• Working knowledge of applicable South African legislation, municipal standards, client requirements, GIBB procedures and relevant SANS technical standards for municipal infrastructure design.

• Ability to prepare coordinated technical specifications, schedules of quantities, engineering cost inputs and supporting procurement documentation for municipal infrastructure projects.

• Working knowledge of GCC and NEC forms of contract, including the ability to support tender documentation, respond to technical queries and administer assigned technical obligations during construction.

• Competence in the analysis and design of municipal infrastructure, including bulk earthworks, stormwater systems, water and sewer reticulation, minor township roads, non-revenue water reduction and water conservation and demand management interventions.

• Ability to define engineering problems, assess feasible alternatives, document assumptions and risks, and recommend practical, safe and cost-effective solutions within the limits of delegated authority.

• Consistent attention to technical accuracy, checking, document control and close-out of quality-review comments in accordance with GIBB’s quality management system.

• Ability to plan assigned tasks, estimate effort, organise resources, monitor programme and fee constraints, and report progress and forecast changes to the project manager.

• Ability to communicate technical information clearly and professionally through calculations, reports, drawings, specifications, presentations, meeting participation and correspondence with technical and non-technical audiences.

• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and coordinate constructively with clients, authorities, co