Chief Superintending Engineer (Mechanical)

Role Overview

This position heads the mechanical engineering function of a public sector department, combining hands-on technical consultancy with the day-to-day management of vehicles, plant and equipment. The holder keeps the fleet and machinery base serviceable and available by directing maintenance work, setting engineering standards, and tracking whether maintenance spending stays within the department's approved budget. The role sits at the centre of operational delivery: when plant and vehicles are reliable and their lifecycle is properly managed — from procurement through disposal — the department's frontline services keep running.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver technical consultancy services and coordinate them with other public and private sector institutions, converting engineering advice into practical specifications and standards.
• Set, review and advise on standards for vehicles, plant and equipment, including inspection criteria and compliance checks.
• Plan, control, direct and supervise equipment maintenance activities so that downtime is minimised and assets return to service quickly.
• Monitor the utilisation and availability of vehicles, plant and equipment, and introduce measures that improve availability where it falls short.
• Coordinate procurement and disposal: standardise procurement procedures in line with the applicable procurement law, and manage the disposal of vehicles, plant, equipment and other mechanical stores.
• Supervise the preparation of expenditure forecasts for maintenance and monitor actual spending against the department's approved votes, accounting for variances.
• Maintain inventories of vehicles, plant and equipment and coordinate the preparation of maintenance progress and output reports.
• Lead the mechanical engineering team, including supervision of professional and technical staff and oversight of staff welfare and discipline matters.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, or another relevant and equivalent qualification from a recognised institution.
• At least three (3) years' service in the grade of Senior Superintending Engineer (Mechanical), or in a comparable and relevant position.
• Registration as a professional engineer with the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK), together with a current valid annual practising licence.
• Completion of a strategic leadership development programme lasting not less than six (6) weeks from a recognised institution will be an added advantage.
• Demonstrated general administrative ability to direct, control and implement mechanical engineering programmes, including the supervision of professional and technical staff.