Director of Engineering – Advisory Services

Fika

Director of Engineering overseeing R&D, design, and quality for Fika's bridge infrastructure projects. Leading technical improvements and external capacity building in multiple African nations.

Posted 7/2/2026full-timeKampala • 🇺🇬 UgandaLeadWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead research and development initiatives to improve bridge design efficiency, structural performance, material selection, and construction methods suited to Fika’s operating contexts
Develop and manage a prioritised R&D pipeline covering bridge durability, maintenance, materials, construction methods, inspection systems, quality processes, standardisation and scalability
Develop, evaluate, and design new bridge design typologies, including steel truss and long-span solutions, expanding Fika's portfolio of available bridge options for country programs
Lead non-standard bridge design projects in support of different project delivery teams in the organization
Develop and maintain a clear technical-development roadmap aligned with Fika’s organisational strategy, scale-up plans and transition towards an enabler-led delivery model
Research and develop improvements to maintenance requirements, inspection methodologies, and life-cycle management approaches for Fika's bridge inventory
Manage the development and continuous improvement of engineering standards, specifications, design guidelines, and technical policies across the organization
Support the development and maintenance of engineering resources including standard bridge drawings, calculation templates, and technical reference materials arising from R&D activities
Identify and implement improvements to engineering processes and tools, including design software and digital workflows
Support the development and improvement of the engineering portions of the Bridge Builder Manual and related field guidance
Promote Fika's technical work externally through publications, conference presentations, and professional engagements
Ensure that technical-development priorities are coordinated with the Director of Engineering and relevant programme and advisory leaders
Provide strategic leadership and direction for QA/QC across all Fika country programs, ensuring consistent application of approved standards, specifications, and procedures
Oversee the strategy of Fika’s QA/QC implementation across programs, providing approval of QA/QC frameworks and transition of QA/QC to local actors
Lead continuous improvement of QA/QC systems, driving standardization, digitalization, and integration of field lessons into engineering practice
Work with the Engineering Team to address systemic quality risks in design and construction practices
Ensure that quality and safety risks identified through audits or inspections are documented and escalated appropriately
Escalate structural safety concerns, design defects, temporary works issues or significant departures from approved designs to the Director of Engineering
Support investigations into technical incidents
Evaluate the performance of local actors in bridge design to support local sustainability assessments
Develop and maintain technical training curricula and resource materials for external partners
Oversee remote design review and technical support services provided to government and private sector partners
Support government partners in growing their capacity to independently design and procure trail-bridge infrastructure
Ensure that engineering safety requirements are embedded in design standards, construction guidance, and QA/QC processes
Represent Fika as a technical authority in engagements with government ministries, technical institutions, donors, and private sector stakeholders
Lead engineering-related strategic initiatives for program expansion and technical partnerships
Represent Fika at conferences and external technical forums

Requirements

What you’ll need

Undergraduate degree in Civil or Structural Engineering; Master's degree preferred
Professional Engineer (PE/SE), Chartered Engineer, or equivalent licensure appropriate to the country of employment
Minimum 8 years of related structural engineering experience, with a strong background in bridge design
Experience working in or supporting engineering delivery to program operations, ideally in Sub-Saharan Africa
Experience with pedestrian or vehicular bridge design; familiarity with stone arch or suspension bridge typologies is a strong advantage
Working knowledge of AutoCAD drafting
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word
Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple concurrent deliverables
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with strong problem-solving skills
Capable of working effectively across different cultures and languages
Ability to work independently and manage priorities with minimal oversight
Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Hybrid work arrangements include a mix of office, field, and remote work
Support for professional development

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Hard Skills & Tools

Bridge DesignStructural EngineeringR&D ManagementQuality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC)Inspection MethodologiesLife-Cycle ManagementTechnical Policy DevelopmentEngineering StandardsTechnical Training DevelopmentBridge Typologies

Soft Skills

Strong Problem-Solving SkillsOrganizational SkillsAttention to DetailEffective CommunicationCultural Competence

Certifications

Professional Engineer (PE/SE)Chartered Engineer