HVAC & Duct Design Engineer
An experienced HVAC and duct design specialist wanted for calculated commercial-kitchen ventilation, make-up air and extraction projects.
- Location
- Cape Town / Remote by agreement
- Employment
- CONTRACT
- Workplace
- HYBRID
About the role
FixaKitchen is looking for an HVAC and duct design engineer or suitably experienced design specialist to support commercial kitchen ventilation and custom extraction projects.
This role focuses on the engineering behind a workable system: airflow requirements, fan selection, static pressure, make-up air, duct sizing, routing and coordinated design. It is separate from the fabrication drawing role and suits someone who can explain and document the design basis behind their recommendations.
Most design work can be completed remotely, but Cape Town site visits, measurements or project meetings may be required by agreement. Work is allocated on a contract or freelance project basis.
Responsibilities
- Establish project design criteria and required airflow.
- Complete airflow, duct-sizing and static-pressure calculations.
- Select and schedule suitable extraction, supply and make-up-air fans.
- Design commercial kitchen ventilation, extraction and make-up-air systems.
- Develop practical duct routes and coordinate space requirements.
- Prepare calculation summaries, equipment schedules and design notes.
- Coordinate designs with architectural, kitchen, electrical and fabrication information.
- Review drawings for airflow, access, maintainability and installation practicality.
- Support smoke-extraction design only within proven competence and applicable authorisation.
- Apply relevant SANS requirements and other applicable project standards.
Requirements
- Proven HVAC, ventilation or mechanical-services design experience.
- Demonstrable airflow, duct-sizing, fan-selection and pressure-calculation ability.
- Experience producing or reviewing coordinated duct layouts.
- Working knowledge of commercial kitchen extraction and make-up-air principles.
- Ability to clearly document assumptions, calculations and design decisions.
- Strong attention to safety, compliance and constructability.
- Able to work independently and communicate with site and fabrication teams.
- Suitable CAD, calculation and remote-working tools.
- Portfolio or examples of relevant completed designs preferred.
Preferred qualifications
HIGHLY ADVANTAGEOUS
- Mechanical engineering, HVAC or building-services qualification.
- Commercial kitchen ventilation experience.
- Smoke-extraction design experience within an appropriate professional scope.
- Revit, AutoCAD, CAMduct or BIM coordination experience.
- Experience with fan curves, acoustic considerations and energy-efficient air systems.
- Knowledge of SANS requirements and relevant international ventilation standards.
- Experience coordinating stainless-steel canopies, grease ducting and make-up air.
PROFESSIONAL SCOPE
Candidates must identify any design, certification or sign-off that requires a separately registered competent professional. Work will only be allocated within confirmed experience and authority.