Senior Perway Engineer

Description

GIBB is a multi-award winning partner of choice for, the private sector, state owned enterprises and governments. We have the proven experience, talent, and expertise to respond to the numerous infrastructures demands and needs of the continent. The Transportation Sector is busy with a number of large and exciting projects and is looking for talented individuals. If you would like to make a difference in people’s lives, and become an expert in your field, please apply for the challenging roles we have available.

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

We welcome your application if you meet the requirements, listed below, for this position.

The below listed responsibilities and requirements are 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 previously two positions.

JOB SUMMARY:

We are seeking a motivated and experienced Perway Engineer to join our Railway Engineering team. The role requires expertise in permanent way design, track maintenance, track geometry, rail-wheel interaction, and railway asset management.

The successful candidate will deliver consulting services across the project lifecycle, including feasibility studies, concept and detailed design, construction support, and operational asset management.

Key responsibilities include the planning, design, assessment, maintenance, rehabilitation, and asset management of railway infrastructure for passenger, freight, heavy-haul, and urban rail projects. The role also involves supporting business development activities and tender preparation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Technical Engineering Delivery

• Deliver specialist engineering services across feasibility studies, engineering investigations, condition
• assessments, concept development, preliminary design and detailed design of railway infrastructure.
• Deliver technically sound, practical and innovative engineering solutions that satisfy client requirements and
• project objectives.
• Apply sound engineering judgement to solve complex railway engineering challenges where standard solutions
• may not be appropriate.
• Develop engineering calculations, technical reports, specifications, design documentation and construction
• drawings to a consistently high technical standard.
• Ensure engineering outputs are accurate, complete, constructible and fit for purpose.

Railway Infrastructure Design

• Design railway infrastructure including permanent way, railway geometry, rail corridors, stations, sidings, yards,
• turnouts, crossings and associated civil works.
• Undertake horizontal and vertical alignment design, track geometry assessments and corridor optimisation.
• Develop innovative solutions that improve railway performance, capacity, reliability, maintainability, and safety.
• Evaluate design alternatives and recommend technically and commercially appropriate solutions.
• Integrate railway design with signalling, overhead traction equipment (OHTE), drainage, geotechnical, structural
• and other engineering disciplines.
• Apply digital engineering tools and modern design methodologies to improve engineering quality and efficiency.

Engineering Problem Solving

• Analyse complex technical challenges and develop practical engineering solutions that balance safety,
• operational performance, constructability, maintainability and cost.
• Apply engineering principles, technical experience and independent judgement when resolving non-standard
• engineering problems.
• Challenge conventional engineering approaches where appropriate while maintaining engineering integrity and
• compliance.
• Identify technical risks early and implement appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Continuously seek opportunities to improve engineering solutions and project outcomes.

Technical Quality and Engineering Assurance

• Produce engineering work requiring minimal technical review.
• Perform technical verification and checking of engineering calculations, drawings and reports.
• Ensure all engineering deliverables comply with applicable railway standards, statutory requirements, client
• specifications and GIBB procedures.
• Maintain high standards of technical accuracy, quality and professionalism.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of engineering standards, procedures and best practices.

Construction and Implementation Support

• Provide technical support during procurement, construction, testing and commissioning.
• Respond to Requests for Information (RFIs), technical queries and engineering changes.
• Conduct site inspections, engineering assessments and condition evaluations.
• Review contractor submissions and shop drawings.
• Assist in resolving construction-related technical issues while maintaining design intent.

Client Technical Support

• Build strong client relationships through technical competence, professionalism and reliability.
• Present engineering solutions clearly and confidently to clients and project stakeholders.
• Provide specialist technical advice throughout project delivery.
• Understand client operational requirements and translate these into practical engineering solutions.
• Maintain regular communication with clients regarding project progress and technical matters.

Continuous Improvement and Technical Development

• Maintain current knowledge of railway engineering practices, technologies and industry developments.
• Identify opportunities to improve engineering processes, design methodologies and project delivery.
• Contribute to technical knowledge sharing within the Railway Engineering team.
• Support graduate engineers and junior staff through coaching and technical guidance where appropriate.
• Participate in continuous professional development and maintain professional registration.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

• BEng/BSc Degree in Civil Engineering.
• Registered with ECSA as a Professional Engineer (Pr Eng) or Professional Engineering Technologist (Pr Tech Eng).
• Valid driver's licence.

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 15 years' experience in railway engineering within a consulting engineering environment.
• Demonstrated experience in the planning, design and rehabilitation of passenger, freight, heavy-haul and industrial railway infrastructure.
• Experience across feasibility studies, concept development, preliminary design, detailed design and construction support.
• Experience in railway asset management, condition assessment, maintenance planning, and lifecycle analysis.
• Proven experience managing technical interfaces between permanent way, signalling, electrification, civil, and operational disciplines.
• Proven ability to independently deliver technically complex railway engineering assignments.
• Experience working within multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Experience preparing engineering calculations, technical reports, specifications and construction documentation.
• Sound knowledge of applicable railway engineering standards, including PRASA, Transnet, Railway Safety Regulator (RSR), EN, UIC and AREMA standards where applicable.
• Proficiency in Bentley OpenRail Designer, Civil 3D, AutoCAD, MicroStation and Microsoft Office will be an advantage.
• Knowledge of BIM, Common Data Environments (CDE) and digital engineering practices will be an advantage.

CORE COMPETENCIES/REQUIREMENTS

Technical Excellence

• Exceptional railway engineering knowledge.
• Strong engineering judgement.
• Advanced analytical capability.
• Systems thinking.
• Practical engineering problem-solving.
• Technical creativity and innovation.
• High attention to detail.

Professional Effectiveness

• Self-motivated and results oriented.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong organisational and planning skills.
• Excellent technical writing skills.
• Effective verbal communication.
• Sound decision-making ability.
• Personal accountability.
• Commitment to engineering excellence.

Consulting Skills

• Client-focused approach.
• Ability to understand operational requirements.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly.
• Commercial awareness.
• Strong stakeholder management.
• Collaborative team member.
• Adaptability within multidisciplinary project environments.

ADDITIONAL COMPETENCIES

• Asset Management Principles.
• Construction Management.
• Engineering Risk Management.
• Value Engineering.
• Sustainability Principles.
• Project Planning.
• Cost Awareness.
• Innovation and Continuous Improvement.
• Proposal Development.
• Technical Coaching and Knowledge Sharing.
• Research and Technical Development.
• Presentation and Facilitation Skills.
• Continuous Professional Development.