Chief Technical Officer - Mechanical Automation, Mining & Engineering

About the role

An executive opportunity is available for a Chief Technical Officer (CTO) to lead engineering, manufacturing, research and development, product innovation and technology advancement in a capital-intensive, engineering-driven environment. The CTO reports to the CEO and sits on the Executive Committee, turning business strategy into an integrated engineering and technology roadmap. The position is based in Gauteng.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute the engineering and technology strategy, aligning technical capabilities, innovation and investment with commercial objectives.
• Oversee mechanical engineering, manufacturing operations, production performance, quality assurance, cost control, equipment reliability and production scalability.
• Lead R&D, product design and development, technology roadmaps, innovation initiatives and the commercialisation of new products and technologies.
• Drive automation, mechanisation, digital technologies and engineering improvements to boost productivity and operational performance.
• Evaluate capital projects and technology upgrades, oversee budgets, capital expenditure, resource allocation and cost optimisation.
• Improve manufacturing efficiency, production planning, product quality and engineering reliability across the product lifecycle.
• Ensure compliance with engineering standards, quality management systems, safety requirements, environmental obligations and regulatory frameworks.
• Lead multidisciplinary engineering, manufacturing and technical teams, develop leadership capability, mentor senior professionals and support succession planning.
• Collaborate with executive leadership, operational teams, suppliers, clients and technology partners.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (mandatory).
• Minimum 12-15 years' experience in engineering, manufacturing or technology-intensive operations.
• At least 5-8 years in senior management or executive leadership with full P&L accountability.
• Experience in engineering-led, manufacturing and R&D-driven organisations and in capital-intensive industrial environments.
• Proven experience in engineering strategy, manufacturing performance, product development, technology innovation, capital project evaluation and financial management.
• Sound knowledge of the South African regulatory, governance, safety and quality environment.
• Valid driver's licence, medical fitness for operational environments and willingness to travel between sites, including internationally where required.
• Advantageous: MBA or postgraduate business qualification, Pr Eng registration with ECSA, mining/drilling/heavy equipment manufacturing experience, ISO 9001 knowledge.

Required skills

• Advanced mechanical engineering and production systems expertise.
• Automation, mechanisation and digital productivity technologies.
• R&D governance, product commercialisation, engineering risk management and quality management systems.

The package is described as market related with incentives. The vacancy is advertised through AGC Mining Recruitment.