Junior Engineer (Cape Town, South Africa)

Job Description

Paterson & Cooke provides specialist engineering consulting and laboratory services to the mining industry. We are currently looking for motivated and energetic mechanical and civil engineers to join our Cape Town office.

The applicant could be a new graduate or have up to three years of experience, preferably in an industrial, mining or process plant engineering environment.

At Paterson & Cooke we have a strong focus on individual development and creating technically fulfilling and financially rewarding careers for our employees. We have an international footprint with opportunities to collaborate with offices in North and South America, Europe and Australia.

Tasks & Responsibilities

As a junior engineer on the team, you will need to:

• Contribute to an interdisciplinary team primarily focused on the design of tailings slurry pumping and pipeline systems, with involvement in the following tasks:
  • preparing mass balances, process flow diagrams and piping & instrumentation diagrams
  • pump and pipeline system analyses for pipe sizing and pump selection
  • mechanical design
  • preparing design documents such as lists and datasheets, making equipment selections
  • developing pump station and piping layouts and details
  • compiling bills of quantities and procurement documentation
  • preparing reports and presentations
  • preparing basic cost estimates
• Contribute as a member of the project team at all stages of the project life cycle from conceptual design to feasibility, detailed design and implementation
• Participate in construction and commissioning assistance activities that could involve extended time on site
• Primarily work in a design office environment but may also be involved in test work campaigns in a laboratory or perform on site audits and trouble shooting
• Learn current practices and remain abreast with new technologies in the industry and improve and develop both personal and company capabilities
• Your level of responsibility will increase as you gain knowledge and experience with the goal of bidding for and managing your own projects

Competencies & Personal Traits

You will need to:

• Have an engineering degree: BSc (Eng), BEng or BTech, Mechanical or Civil
• Work towards a professional registration with the Engineering Council of South Africa
• Have proficiency with computers and above average competence with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, AutoCAD (or similar) and associated design and drawing packages
• Be fluent in English, both written and verbal
• Have strong interpersonal and communication skills: able to communicate effectively with clients and client teams and build relationships in the office and on site
• Work well independently and as part of a team and act decisively and competently
• Be innovative and confident with a strong entrepreneurial spirit
• Be analytically strong with a sharp focus on detail
• Be an independent thinker, self-motivated and have a professional attitude
• Have a thirst for knowledge and self-improvement
• Be willing to travel locally and internationally

The Following Competencies Will be an Advantage

• Proficiency with detailed piping transient pressure and stress analysis packages
• Ability to communicate in other South African official languages, or French
• Proficiency with Python or similar computer programming packages

A Career with Paterson & Cooke

Paterson & Cooke is an international specialist engineering firm known for high quality work and exceeding client expectations, often with innovative solutions. Our people enjoy the challenge of living up to this standard daily and a workplace that allows each employee to thrive. In the Cape Town office, we balance a demanding, rewarding workload with consideration for work-life balance. We encourage employees to expand their knowledge through employer supported training courses and on-site experience. With nine offices covering five continents and an international clientele, Paterson & Cooke provides opportunities for our employees to travel the world. Our size enables our employees to make a difference in the company and opens opportunities for career growth. Our aim is to create an environment in which everyone is pleased to come to work each morning.