Senior Mechanical Engineer

UGANDA STANDARD GAUGE RAILWAY PROJECT MANAGEMENT UNIT (SGR–PMU)

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Senior Mechanical Engineer
Job Grade: SGR 5A
Number of Vacancies: One (1)
Terms: Contract (Four Years)
Reports To: Deputy Project Coordinator (Technical)
Responsible For: Mechanical Engineers

Job Purpose

To provide leadership and technical oversight of mechanical, electromechanical, and building systems within the SGR Project including depots, workshops, stations, and other facilities ensuring compliance with the Employer’s Requirements, Ugandan regulations, and international engineering standards.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

i. Design Review and Technical Oversight

1. Lead the Employer’s supervision of depot/workshop plant and station/building electromechanical (E&M) systems including HVAC/pressurisation, fire protection, water and wastewater systems, lifts and escalators, and ventilation/smoke control to ensure compliance with Employer’s Requirements, national regulations, and international codes (NFPA/BS/EN).
2. Oversee mechanical design development and coordination with Electrical, Civil, Signalling & Telecoms, and Rolling Stock teams; maintain the MEP Interface Control Document (ICD), resolve BIM clashes, and manage design changes.
3. Review EPC/T contract and design documentation for mechanical works to clarify scope, methodologies, and risks; maintain a Mechanical Risk Register.
4. Review and recommend approval (via the Consultant) of Contractor’s mechanical designs for compliance with technical standards and Employer’s requirements.

ii. Construction Supervision and Quality Assurance
5. Supervise and monitor construction, installation, and relocation/diversion of mechanical works; conduct inspections against contract provisions, ITPs, WIRs, and approved method statements.
6. Plan and witness Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT), Site Acceptance Tests (SAT), and Integrated System Tests (IST); define acceptance criteria and verify delivery of complete handover documentation (as-builts, O&M manuals, spares, and training).
7. Enforce QA/QC, ITP, RAMS, HSSE, and statutory compliance; identify and correct unsafe practices; expedite close-out of non-conformances (NCRs) and punch lists.
8. Review contractor methodologies, QA/QC programmes, and material certifications; evaluate temporary works, maintenance strategies, and commissioning procedures.

iii. Reporting, Coordination, and Documentation
9. Support the Construction Manager with scheduled and ad-hoc progress, quality, risk, and cost/schedule reports and dashboards.
10. Report on delays and quality deficiencies; propose corrective actions and support claims/variation prevention through accurate contemporaneous documentation.
11. Manage O&M readiness activities, including maintenance plans, asset data population for CMMS, warranties, SLAs, and training for URC and PMU staff.
12. Supervise and mentor PMU mechanical staff; coordinate with the Consultant while ensuring disciplined document control and updates within the CDE/BIM systems.

iv. Permitting, Safeguards, and Stakeholder Engagement
13. Coordinate permits and approvals with relevant authorities (NEMA, UNBS, local governments) for mechanical facilities; support ESIA/RAP processes where applicable.
14. Liaise with security and utility stakeholders, ensuring adherence to protocols for sensitive sites and classified information.
15. Perform any other related duties as may be assigned to ensure safe, compliant, and timely delivery of the mechanical scope under the EPC/T contract.

Person Specifications

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree (Honours) in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent from a recognised university.
• A Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field is an added advantage.
• Registration with the Engineers Registration Board (ERB) or demonstrable progress toward registration is required.
• Postgraduate qualification in Project Management or Business Administration (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2, MBA) is an added advantage.

Experience

• Minimum of ten (10) years’ professional experience, including at least five (5) years in a senior role managing heavy rail, metro, or large industrial E&M systems.
• Proven experience across depot/workshop plant, HVAC/pressurisation, fire protection (NFPA/BS/EN), water/wastewater, lifting equipment, ventilation/smoke control, and O&M readiness.
• Experience in contract administration under FIDIC Design–Build (Silver Book), including design review, QA/ITP/RAMS, and testing and commissioning leadership.
• Proficiency with CAD/BIM/MEP and analysis tools (e.g., Revit, AutoCAD MEP, Navisworks, CFD/hydraulic tools) and collaboration platforms; experience with CMMS data setup is desirable.
• Knowledge or exposure to railway operations and systems integration is an added advantage.

Competencies

• Leadership and Team Management
• Project and Contract Management
• Mechanical Systems Design and Maintenance
• Safety, HSSE, and Risk Awareness
• Stakeholder Management and Negotiation
• Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills
• Effective Communication and Reporting
• Ethics and Integrity
• Results Orientation
• Strong computer literacy and use of engineering collaboration software

Application Procedure

Interested and qualified candidates should fill the attached “Application for Employment Form” as part of the application and submit their applications with detailed CVs, copies of certified academic and professional certificates, and contact details of at least three referees to:

The Project Coordinator,
Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Project,
Ministry of Works and Transport,
P.O. Box 7174, Kampala, Uganda.

Nakawa Business Park

4^th Floor Block D

Applications should be delivered not later than 14^th November 2025, 5pm.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Click here to Download the Application Form