Hiring Now | Lead Engineer – Mechanical | Brackenfell, Cape Town, Western Cape | Permanent Position Available
Unitrans, one of South Africa’s leading logistics and transport companies, is urgently hiring a Lead Engineer – Mechanical at its Head Office in Brackenfell, Cape Town. If you are looking for a senior mechanical engineering leadership role driving innovation, automation, and operational transformation across a large-scale logistics network, this is your chance to shape the future of South African supply chain engineering.
🔩 Don’t miss this opportunity — applications close 24 April 2026. Apply today.
Lead Engineer – Mechanical Job Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Job Title | Lead Engineer – Mechanical |
| Reference Number | UNI260410-3 |
| Company | Unitrans |
| Business Unit | HO Technical / Administration |
| Location | Brackenfell, Cape Town, Western Cape |
| Job Type | Permanent |
| Contract Type | Permanent – Normal |
| Closing Date | 24 April 2026 |
| Application Status | ✅ Open – Accepting Applications Now |
What Does a Lead Engineer – Mechanical Do at Unitrans?
The Lead Engineer – Mechanical is responsible for driving mechanical engineering innovation across Unitrans’ logistics, warehouse, and fleet operations. This role serves as a critical bridge between digital intelligence and physical logistics performance — identifying, designing, and implementing advanced mechanical and automation solutions that enhance efficiency, safety, reliability, and sustainability across the supply chain.
The role leads the end-to-end delivery of innovative mechanical systems from concept and prototyping through to operational deployment, ensuring solutions are commercially viable, scalable, compliant with engineering standards, and aligned to strategic business objectives. The incumbent acts as the technical authority and partners closely with operations, fleet, IT, and technology teams to deliver measurable operational and cost outcomes.
This is a senior strategic engineering leadership role that requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Pr.Eng registration with ECSA, and 8–10+ years of mechanical engineering experience in industrial, logistics, fleet, or manufacturing environments.
Key Responsibilities of a Lead Engineer – Mechanical
Engineering Innovation Strategy & Technology Scouting
- Identify, evaluate, and prioritise emerging mechanical and automation technologies — including robotics, AGVs, autonomous handling systems, and IoT-enabled equipment — and convert these into a sustained innovation pipeline.
- Develop, maintain, and execute a multi-year mechanical and automation innovation roadmap aligned to business strategy, operational efficiency targets, cost-reduction goals, and sustainability commitments.
- Translate operational challenges into quantified engineering innovation opportunities, developing business cases with clear return-on-investment metrics and strategic value.
Mechanical Design, Development & Prototyping
- Lead the full lifecycle development of mechanical systems from conceptual design and detailed specification through 3D CAD modelling, prototyping, testing, and live operational deployment.
- Design ergonomically optimised lifting, handling, and assembly solutions that materially reduce manual handling risk, improve safety outcomes, enhance asset reliability, and increase throughput in logistics environments.
- Apply advanced engineering analysis techniques — including FEA, CFD, and simulation — to reduce technical uncertainty, minimise redesign effort, and improve first-time-right outcomes.
Operational Optimisation & Continuous Improvement
- Apply Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies within warehouse and fleet operations, engineering mechanical or automation interventions that measurably reduce cycle times, handling costs, and process waste.
- Conduct feasibility assessments, simulations, and payback analyses to ensure implemented solutions meet or exceed approved efficiency gains and ROI targets.
- Partner with operations and fleet teams to embed engineered solutions into standard operating practices, delivering sustained performance improvements and reduced reliance on manual workarounds.
Fleet, Infrastructure & Sustainability Innovation
- Lead mechanical innovation across fleet operations including alternative drivetrain readiness, tyre and component lifecycle optimisation, and predictive maintenance solutions — achieving measurable reductions in unplanned downtime and total cost of ownership.
- Engineer energy-efficient solutions for depots, warehouses, and cold-chain infrastructure — including HVAC performance, equipment layout, and material flow — that contribute to reduced energy consumption and emissions intensity.
- Lead pilot projects and proof-of-concept initiatives in live operational environments and successfully scale proven solutions into full production use.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Management
- Collaborate with software, electrical, IT, and data teams to ensure seamless integration of mechanical systems with WMS and digital platforms, enabling automation, monitoring, and analytics-driven decision-making.
- Manage strategic relationships with OEMs, technology vendors, start-ups, and academic partners to accelerate innovation delivery and build internal engineering capability.
- Provide trusted technical guidance to senior stakeholders, ensuring innovation initiatives are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned to operational priorities.
Engineering Governance, Safety & Risk Management
- Ensure all mechanical designs, installations, and modifications comply with applicable engineering standards (ISO, ASME), safety regulations, and internal governance frameworks.
- Proactively identify and mitigate engineering, operational, and safety risks associated with new technologies, contributing to measurable reductions in incidents, near misses, and ergonomic exposures.
- Develop, implement, and uphold mechanical engineering standards, specifications, and best practices that improve consistency, safety, and long-term asset performance across the organisation.
Minimum Requirements – Lead Engineer – Mechanical
To be considered for this Lead Engineer position, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Educational Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering — essential
- Postgraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field — advantageous
- Professional Engineer (Pr.Eng) registration with ECSA — essential
Experience:
- 8–10+ years of experience in mechanical engineering design and implementation within industrial, logistics, fleet, or manufacturing environments — essential
- Minimum 3 years of experience in a senior, lead, or innovation-focused engineering role
- Demonstrated experience delivering engineering solutions from concept through to operational deployment with measurable business impact
Technical Competencies:
- Engineering Innovation & Design Leadership — ability to conceive, design, and deliver advanced mechanical solutions that create tangible business value
- Systems Thinking — ability to integrate mechanical engineering with digital systems, operations, and commercial drivers
- Commercial & Financial Acumen — ability to translate technical solutions into compelling, ROI-driven business cases
- Proficiency in 3D CAD modelling and advanced engineering analysis tools (FEA, CFD, simulation)
- Knowledge of Lean and Six Sigma methodologies for operational optimisation
Leadership & Behavioural Competencies:
- Change & Innovation Leadership — operates effectively in ambiguous, experimental environments
- Stakeholder Influence — communicates complex engineering concepts clearly to non-technical and executive stakeholders
- Collaboration & Team Enablement — builds strong cross-functional partnerships and mentors technical resources
Legal Requirements:
- Valid South African ID Document or valid work authorisation
Core Values We Look For in a Lead Engineer – Mechanical
✅ Engineering Innovation Mindset
This role exists to challenge the status quo. We value engineers who identify operational problems, convert them into engineering opportunities, and deliver solutions that create lasting, measurable value for the business.
✅ Systems Thinking & Commercial Acumen
Mechanical engineering at this level is inseparable from business outcomes. We need a Lead Engineer who understands how their designs translate into cost savings, uptime improvements, and competitive advantage — and who can make that case compellingly to senior stakeholders.
✅ Safety-First Culture
Designing ergonomically optimised handling solutions, managing logistics automation, and leading live-environment pilots all carry real safety implications. We value engineers who build safety into every design decision and hold the team to the same standard.
✅ Delivery & Accountability
Innovation without execution is just ideas. We value a Lead Engineer who takes full ownership of projects from concept through deployment, manages complexity with discipline, and delivers results that hold up in operational reality.
✅ Collaboration & Mentorship
Leading a multidisciplinary engineering team and managing relationships with OEMs, vendors, and technology partners requires genuine collaborative leadership. We value engineers who build capability in others and create high-performing, cross-functional teams.
Career Growth Opportunities in Mechanical Engineering & Logistics Technology
A Lead Engineer – Mechanical role at Unitrans is a strategically important position in the evolving South African logistics and automation sector:
- Lead Engineer – Mechanical → Principal Engineer / Chief Mechanical Engineer
- Principal Engineer → Head of Engineering: Innovation & Automation
- Head of Engineering → Director: Fleet Technology & Infrastructure
- Director → Group Executive: Technical Operations
As warehouse automation, robotics, and sustainable logistics infrastructure accelerate across South Africa, demand for senior mechanical engineers with innovation and deployment experience will grow significantly — making this a career-defining role.
Frequently Asked Questions – Lead Engineer – Mechanical Jobs
Is Pr.Eng registration with ECSA essential? Yes. Professional Engineer (Pr.Eng) registration with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) is listed as an essential requirement. Candidates who are not yet Pr.Eng registered may not meet the threshold for this senior lead role.
What does FEA and CFD mean in this context? FEA (Finite Element Analysis) is a computational method used to simulate how mechanical components and assemblies respond to real-world forces, pressures, and stresses — enabling engineers to optimise designs before prototyping. CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) is used to simulate how fluids and gases move through systems — relevant here for HVAC optimisation and thermal management in logistics infrastructure.
What are AGVs? AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) are robotic material handling systems used in warehouses and logistics environments to transport goods autonomously without human operators. Evaluating and implementing AGV solutions is part of the technology scouting and automation innovation responsibilities of this role.
What is a WMS and why does it matter here? A WMS (Warehouse Management System) is the software platform that controls and optimises warehouse operations — including inventory tracking, order picking, and dispatch. The Lead Engineer – Mechanical is responsible for ensuring that mechanical automation systems integrate seamlessly with the WMS to enable end-to-end digital and physical logistics efficiency.
What Lean and Six Sigma experience is required? The role requires the ability to apply Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to identify and eliminate operational waste, reduce cycle times, and engineer measurable process improvements. Formal certification (Green Belt or Black Belt) is advantageous but not explicitly required — demonstrated practical application in an industrial or logistics environment is what matters most.
How much experience is required? A minimum of 8–10+ years of mechanical engineering experience in industrial, logistics, fleet, or manufacturing environments is required, with at least 3 years in a senior, lead, or innovation-focused role.
What is the closing date for applications? The closing date is 24 April 2026. Apply well in advance to ensure your application is fully considered.
How to Apply for This Lead Engineer – Mechanical Job
Ready to lead mechanical engineering innovation at Unitrans? Applications close 24 April 2026 — apply now.
👉 Apply for Lead Engineer – Mechanical Position
Submit your application quoting reference number UNI260410-3. Include your CV, copies of your Mechanical Engineering degree, and proof of Pr.Eng / ECSA registration.
⚠ Closing date: 24 April 2026 — do not delay.
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