Pavement/Materials Engineer

Company Overview

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Job Description

Project Overview

Millennium Challenge Account-Zambia II (MCA-Z II), with funding from the MCC, is procuring consulting services for selected sections of the T5 road and the R185a/D274 loop road in Zambia. The assignment covers feasibility study, outline design, environmental and social impact assessment and management planning, works procurement support, review of Design-Build contractor documents, and optional construction monitoring and post-construction services under the FIDIC Yellow Book. The Base Period comprises Phases I and II, with Phases III and IV included as options; Phases V and VI cover optional construction monitoring and the defects notification period.

Position Overview

The Pavement/Materials Engineer will lead pavement evaluation, materials investigations, pavement rehabilitation and reconstruction design, surfacing selection, and materials-related inputs to feasibility and outline design. The role will support the development of technically sound, climate-resilient, constructible, and cost-effective treatments for paved and unpaved road sections.

• Professional engagement is contingent on project award and client approval.

Responsibilities

• Plan and oversee pavement-condition, subgrade, Dynamic Cone Penetrometer, test-pit, laser-profiler, Falling Weight Deflectometer, and materials-source investigations.
• Analyze pavement structure, distress mechanisms, traffic loading, subgrade strength, and materials availability to define uniform road sections.
• Develop and compare pavement maintenance, rehabilitation, overlay, full-depth reclamation, and reconstruction options for the required design life.
• Lead gravel, hard-rock, sand, and water source prospecting, sampling, testing, and materials-availability assessments.
• Confirm laboratory quality, calibration, test methods, and consistency with SATCC, SANS, British Standard, AASHTO, and other approved requirements, as applicable.
• Develop pavement and surfacing recommendations that optimize locally available materials, life-cycle performance, maintenance capacity, and whole-life cost.
• Prepare technical inputs to designs, drawings, bills of quantities, cost estimates, specifications, bidding documents, and the Ground Investigations, Materials Availability and Pavement Condition Report.
• Support review of contractor pavement designs, materials investigations, laboratory results, borrow sources, quarries, and quality-management documentation during Phase IV.

Skills & Abilities

• Pavement evaluation, rehabilitation design, materials selection, and laboratory/field testing.
• Interpretation of FWD, DCP, test-pit, rutting, traffic-loading, and materials-test data.
• Knowledge of pavement-design and rehabilitation standards applicable to Southern Africa.
• Asphalt mix design, surfacing selection, stabilization, and full-depth reclamation.
• Clear technical writing, analytical judgment, and multidisciplinary coordination.
• Ability to supervise field and laboratory programs safely and efficiently.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, engineering geology, or another relevant discipline.
• Membership of the Engineering Institution of Zambia/Engineers Registration Board of Zambia or a similar internationally recognized professional institution.
• 15 years of post-qualification experience, including 10 years in pavement design, materials testing, and materials selection for rural and inter-urban roads in Africa.
• Experience as Pavement and/or Materials Engineer for the design or supervision of two inter-urban road construction or rehabilitation projects in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Experience in full-depth reclamation design for road-pavement rehabilitation.
• Experience in asphalt mix design using the Marshall Method or equivalent and Superpave or equivalent.
• Fluency in English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with pavement investigations and material-source assessments in Zambia or Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).
• Experience integrating pavement alternatives with HDM-4/economic analysis, climate resilience, constructability, and embodied-carbon assessment.
• Experience preparing Employer’s Requirements for Design-Build road contracts.

Amount Of Travel Required

20% – 40%

Background Check and Drug Testing Information

CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries (hereafter collectively referred to as “CDM Smith”) reserves the right to require background checks including criminal, employment, education, licensure, etc. as well as credit and motor vehicle when applicable for certain positions. In addition, CDM Smith may conduct drug testing for designated positions. Background checks are conducted after an offer of employment has been made in the United States. The timing of when background checks will be conducted on candidates for positions outside the United States will vary based on country statutory law but in no case, will the background check precede an interview. CDM Smith will conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check, and no job application submitted prior to such interview shall inquire into an applicant’s criminal history. If this position is subject to a background check for any convictions related to its responsibilities and requirements, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. Criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate. In addition, during employment individuals may be required by CDM Smith or a CDM Smith client to successfully complete additional background checks, including motor vehicle record as well as drug testing.

Additional Pay Range Information

CDM Smith is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. This pay range is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels for the geographic location assigned to the position. In addition to geographic location, a candidate’s salary is determined by several other factors including, but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, relevant work experience, skills, required certifications, and education/training.

Additional Compensation

All bonuses at CDM Smith are discretionary and may or may not apply to this position.

Visa Sponsorship Available

No – We are not open to sponsoring for this position

Agency Disclaimer

All vendors must have a signed CDM Smith Placement Agreement from the CDM Smith Talent Acquisition Manager to receive payment for your placement. Verbal or written commitments from any other member of the CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries staff will not be considered binding terms. All unsolicited resumes sent to CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries and any resume submitted to any employee outside of CDM Smith Talent Acquisition Team will be considered property of CDM Smith. CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries will not be held liable to pay a placement fee.