Chief Project Manager: Weapons and Special Projects
Closing Date: 2026-07-14
Job Description: To deliver sound project management, engineering, and technical services and advice across complex, high-risk, large-scale, multi-disciplinary acquisition projects, ensuring capability alignment, technical assurance, and lifecycle value.
Job location: Simons-Town
Job Type: Full-Time
Duties Responsibilities:
Qualifications: • Grade 12. • BTech/ B.Sc. or B.Eng. in Mechanical Engineering. • Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related technical discipline. TECHNICAL / LEGAL CERTIFICATION / PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION • ECSA Registration (Essential). • Project Management (Essential). KNOWLEDGE & FUNCTIONAL SKILLS • Deep, applied expertise in engineering principles, lifecycle processes, and standards, with proven ability to translate theory into actionable solutions for complex, high-risk acquisition programs, ensuring successful project execution. • Advanced knowledge of defence and complex acquisition management frameworks, including Smart Buyer principles and capital acquisition governance, enabling effective oversight, compliance, and decision-making across large-scale programs. • Extensive experience in developing specifications, tailoring technical requirements, and managing contracting processes, applicable to both complex and non-complex systems, platforms, and integrated solutions. • Comprehensive understanding of regulatory and compliance frameworks (e.g., PFMA, Defence Regulations, ISO quality standards), with practical application to maintain accountability, minimize risk, and avoid project delays. • Strategic awareness of national and international best practices, emerging technologies, and trends in systems engineering, enabling continuous improvement, innovation, and forward-looking solutions. • Proven problem-solving capability, able to identify and resolve technical, operational, and schedule-related challenges independently, ensuring projects remain on track despite high complexity or risk. • Expertise in reporting and technical writing, producing clear, accurate, and governance-compliant documentation, reports, and briefings to support decision-making and provide transparency to stakeholder. • Extensive knowledge of NRTA/MILITARY/SAMSA requirements. • Good technical knowledge of vehicles or Maritime Systems (including boats).
Experience: • Minimum of 10 years’ experience in engineering project management, acquisition, or related technical disciplines, including at least 3 years in a senior engineering or equivalent role, with demonstrated success in leading complex engineering projects. • Proven leadership in contract management and negotiation across the full acquisition lifecycle, ensuring technical integrity and alignment with programme objectives. • Strong end-to-end systems engineering lifecycle expertise, including requirements definition, system integration, verification, and lifecycle cost optimisation. • Demonstrated experience in high-value acquisition and procurement processes, including technical specification development, bid evaluations, and contract implementation. • Sound application of engineering governance, risk management, and international standards within capital project or defence-related environments.
Document: Download Full Job Spec
