DMA Design Engineer

Company: Miya Water

Client: Water Authority of Fiji

Project: Performance-Based Contract for Water Loss Reduction and Management Services, Suva–Nausori Water Supply System

Location: Suva, Fiji (on site, full-time)

Contract type: Fixed-term – duration of the Detailed Design Phase (2 years)

Reports to: Project Director / Team Leader

PROJECT CONTEXT

Miya Water is delivering a Performance-Based Contract (PBC) to reduce non-revenue water (NRW) in the Suva–Nausori Water Supply System, one of Fiji's principal urban systems. The programme is structured around the creation of 63 metered District Metered Areas (DMAs), whose pre-design zoning layout has been formally approved by WAF. The project is now advancing to the Detailed Design Phase and requires a specialist engineer to own this deliverable end-to-end.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The DMA Design Engineer will lead the conversion of approved zoning concepts into a complete, construction-ready technical package across all 63 DMAs. The role integrates hydraulic modelling, mechanical and structural design, and project management within a demanding field-and-office environment. The successful candidate will be equally comfortable supervising measurement crews in the field and signing off technical drawings at the drafting table.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Hydraulic Modelling and Field Calibration:
  • Field measurement programme: Plan, coordinate, and supervise flow and pressure measurement campaigns across Suva's distribution network to generate the calibration dataset.
  • Model Construction: Build and refine hydraulic models (WaterGEMS / EPANET) consistent with the approved pre-design DMA layout and the as-built network topology.
  • Calibration: Execute model calibration against field data to a standard that accurately reproduces the steady-state and diurnal behaviour of all 63 DMAs; document calibration results in accordance with WAF requirements.
• Mechanical Design of PRV & Flowmeter Installations:
  • Chamber layout: Design the complete mechanical arrangement for DMA entry points, including the optimal positioning of Pressure Reducing Valves (PRV) and Bulk Flowmeters, and associated isolation valves.
  • Piping and instrumentation: Specify piping layouts that satisfy manufacturer straight-run requirements for meter accuracy; select appropriate valves (gate, air-release, strainers) and dismantling joints.
  • Material Selection: Select pipe materials, wall thickness, and flange pressure ratings accounting for surge conditions and Fiji's corrosive near-coastal environment.
• Structural & Civil Engineering:
  • Concrete chambers and valve pits: Design reinforced concrete structures sized for safe operational access, maintenance clearances, and confined-space compliance.
  • Thrust and Stability Analysis: Perform structural calculations for thrust blocks and pipe supports to counteract hydraulic forces at bends, tees, and reducers.
  • Foundation design: Prepare pipe bedding and chamber foundation specifications based on local soil bearing capacity data.
• Deliverables and documentation:
  • Detailed Design Reports: Author comprehensive technical reports covering field measurement analysis, final calibrated model results, and mechanical/structural design justification for all 63 DMAs.
  • Construction Drawings: Supervise and review the production of IFC (Issued for Construction) drawings — plans, longitudinal profiles, and 3D/isometric views — to WAF and applicable code standards.
  • Bill of Quantities and cost estimates: Develop precise BoQs and cost estimates to enable procurement and construction.
  • DMA commissioning roadmap: Produce a step-by-step intervention sequence for the physical isolation and commissioning of each DMA, coordinated with the construction programme manager.
• Project leadership and coordination:
  • Schedule Management: Own the detailed design programme, ensuring reports, models, and drawings for all 63 DMAs are delivered on time and to the agreed quality standard.
  • Stakeholder Liaison: Serve as the primary technical interface with WAF and relevant local authorities for design approvals, standards compliance, and permit coordination.
  • Resource management: Direct and optimise the allocation of field measurement crews and CAD drafting resources throughout the design phase.
  • Quality Assurance (QA/QC): Implement a systematic review process for all deliverables before submission, minimising errors and discrepancies that could affect the construction phase.
  • Risk Management: Identify and proactively mitigate technical and logistical risks — including site access constraints, data gaps, and ground condition variability — that could delay implementation phase.
  • Budget alignment: Ensure BoQs and cost estimates are realistic and consistent with the project's financial envelope; justify any material cost variances in writing.
  • GIS Coordination: Assist in the improvement of GIS systems, including converting hydraulic model outputs into structured geospatial data layers.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Water Resources Engineering.
  • Professional Engineer (PE) status or Chartered Engineer (CEng) registration is highly desirable.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in water distribution engineering.
  • Demonstrated track record in the detailed design of urban water distribution networks.
  • Prior experience on network zoning and NRW reduction projects is a significant advantage.
  • Experience working in Pacific Island, tropical island, or comparable developing-country environments is advantageous.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

• Hydraulic modelling: Advanced proficiency in WaterGEMS and EPANET — including model build, calibration, and scenario analysis — is mandatory. The candidate must demonstrate the ability to translate field measurement data into a calibrated network model and extract reliable design parameters from it.
• Mechanical and structural design: Hands-on design capability for PRV and bulk-flowmeter installations is required: component sizing, thrust block calculations, chamber dimensioning, and material specification. The candidate must be able to produce or review technically complete IFC drawings, not merely interpret them.
• Design standards: All designs must comply with WAF standards or, where WAF standards are silent, with AS/NZS or BS equivalents. Familiarity with WAF's technical specifications is an advantage.
• Software tools: WaterGEMS, EPANET, AUTOCAD, ArcGIS or QGIS, MS Excel (advanced), MS Project or equivalent.

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Results-oriented with the adaptability to manage technical challenges in both field and office settings.
• Strong communicator — able to present technical findings clearly to non-specialist WAF stakeholders and to brief construction teams on design intent.
• Systematic problem-solver with demonstrated ability to navigate ageing infrastructure constraints and incomplete record drawings.
• Organised and disciplined in managing parallel workstreams across a high volume of DMA deliverables under time pressure.
• Collaborative team leader who can motivate and direct field crews and drafting staff.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Full professional proficiency in English (oral and written)
• Valid driver's license
• Willingness and ability to relocate to Suva, Fiji, for the full duration of the Detailed Design Phase.
• Eligibility to work in Fiji or ability to obtain a valid work permit.

Interested candidates should submit their CV and relevant experience details to miyafiji1@gmail.com

Please use the subject line: "DMA Design Engineer – [Your Name]".

Applications close on May 15, 2026.