Senior Design Engineer at Fika
About Fika
Fika exists to innovate cost-effective rural infrastructural solutions through advocacy, evidence and technical assistance to promote safe access for geographically isolated communities through partnership with governments and donors.
We provide flexible work arrangements, comprehensive mental and physical wellness support, and annual salary reviews aligned with our compensation policy. Additionally, we offer opportunities for professional growth, allowing individuals to shape their own career paths through targeted development programs.
Job purpose
The Senior Design Engineer is an independent technical role responsible for the design, calculation and approval of bridge structures within Fika’s standard portfolio. The role operates with a high degree of autonomy, carrying out structural calculations, producing technical drawings and specifications, and ensuring technical quality across Fika’s bridge typologies including suspension, suspended and hybrid bridges and stone arch bridges.
This role is expected to work independently and exercise sound professional engineering judgement, requiring minimal day-to-day oversight from the Director of Engineering. The role reports to the Director of Engineering and works closely with program and construction teams across Fika’s country programs.
Duties and responsibilities
Structural design and engineering
- Independently perform structural calculations and engineering design for Fika’s standard bridge portfolio, including suspension, suspended, hybrid and stone arch bridges
- Produce, check and review design drawings and technical documentation to the required engineering standard. After a review period this role may be responsible for approving drawings.
- Conduct and sign off on design modifications during construction as required, within established approval authority
- Assess technical feasibility of potential project sites and provide engineering recommendations (process survey data, evaluate aerial imagery, propose preliminary design alternatives)
- Ensure all designs meet applicable structural standards, safety requirements and Fika’s internal technical specifications
- Calculate material quantities for bridge projects and prepare material specifications for construction
- Collaborate with procurement teams on local materials selection
Technical quality and assurance
- Maintain and apply Fika’s standard design methodologies, templates and specifications consistently across projects
- Identify technical risks and propose design solutions proactively
- Support construction teams with technical guidance on site-related structural issues
- Perform technical inspections of existing bridges
- Provide technical support to needs assessment teams as required
- Support construction teams with the design and assessment of temporary works activities such as tower lifting, cable hoisting and scaffold design
- Contribute to quality control processes for bridge construction, including design verification and as-built review
Collaboration and knowledge sharing
- Work with country program teams to understand site conditions, local material availability and construction constraints
- Contribute technical input to feasibility assessments and project scoping
- Support the broader Fika technical team with knowledge sharing, peer review and documentation of lessons learned
- Assist in the development of technical guidance and training materials as needed
- Support engineering activities in Fika country programs beyond the primary country of placement, including short-term interventions as required
- Join municipality, district or other stakeholder meetings to support programme staff as required
- Collaborate with engineering colleagues and TA engineers on technical development and R&D
- Manage, support and help train junior engineering staff
Geotechnical and specialist input
- Apply geotechnical knowledge to foundation design assessments and site evaluations where relevant
- Engage specialist subcontractors or consultants on geotechnical investigations as needed, providing technical oversight and interpretation of findings
- Collaborate with Design Engineers and Surveyors in the planning and execution of bridge survey activities
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Qualifications
- Minimum of an Undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering; Masters degree preferred
- Minimum 8 years of professional structural or civil engineering experience, with a focus on bridge design
- Registered or eligible for registration as a professional engineer with the Institution of Engineers Rwanda (IER), or equivalent professional registration with a recognised national, regional or international engineering body.
- Demonstrated experience independently performing and approving structural analysis, design, development of construction drawings and specifications
- Experience in vehicular bridge design, ideally gained in an African context
- Experience interpreting and applying relevant structural codes and standards
- Ability to independently conduct and review structural engineering designs without routine supervision
- Proficiency in AutoCAD drafting, Microsoft Excel and Word software
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with high problem-solving skills
- Capable of working with different cultures and languages
- Ability to work independently after given clear direction
- Effective written and verbal communication skills in English
Working conditions
Based in East Africa, in one of Fika’s program countries: Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, Ethiopia or Kenya. A minimum of 3 months on-boarding in Rwanda at the start of the job will be required.
Physical requirements
The position may require participation in construction related tasks when traveling to Fika projects. Site work may require intermittently working and living in undeveloped locations / remote areas.
Direct reports
- Varies by location – may supervise 1 to 3 design engineers
Application guidelines
We have seen firsthand the benefits of a diverse team, and the strength that comes with diversity in experience, background, and perspective. We strongly encourage applications from individuals that would bring a unique or underrepresented perspective to our organization.
CV Guidelines:
Length: Maximum 2 pages.
Education: Highlight relevant diplomas, degrees and recognized certifications
Exclude: personal information (photos, gender, religion, marital status, number of dependents), non-certified training.
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