R&D Project Engineer (Building Technology)

Department: Research & Development (R&D)
Unit: Building Technology (BT)
Location: Cape Town Service Hub (Upper Camp)
Reporting Line: Reports to the Lead R&D Project Engineer (BT Unit Lead)
(Note: If hiring for the Lead role, reporting is directly to the Head of R&D)

About the Role

At Citra, we are not just building houses; we are engineering the "Home as a Product." We are breaking the innovation deadlock that has stagnated the construction industry for a century. We are seeking an innovative R&D Project Engineer to join our Building Technology Unit. In this role, you will move beyond traditional construction constraints to develop proprietary materials and structural systems that ensure our homes are safer, faster to build, and affordable for the global market. You will work at the intersection of material science and structural engineering, conducting hands-on experimental research to perfect our "Citra Building Technology" (CBT). Your work will directly influence our primary objectives: Strength, Resistance, Affordability, and Construction Speed.

Key Responsibilities

1. Material & Structural Innovation

• Composite Development: Lead the research and development of non-steel reinforcement solutions (basalt, glass fiber, carbon) and advanced cement-based composites to enhance structural integrity and durability


• Foundation Technology: Spearhead initiatives to realize the "1-day foundation" goal, optimizing materials and processes for rapid deployment.


• Performance Optimization: rigorous testing to achieve specific technical milestones, such as optimized plaster thickness (av. 20mm), strain hardening mixes, and 10m slab/roof spans.
  

2. Laboratory & Experimental Research

• Hands-on Testing: Execute complex experimental research within the internal lab and the Cape Town testing ecosystem.


• Data Integrity: Maintain structured, clean data of all R&D test results, ensuring seamless integration with the Data Warehouse (DWH) for enterprise-wide analysis.


• Certification Compliance: Assist in preparing technical documentation and test setups for regulatory certifications (e.g., Agrement, structural compliance for multi-storey applications).

3. Collaboration & Implementation

• Cross-Departmental Synergy: Collaborate with the Structural Design and Production teams to ensure new technologies are practical, scalable, and aligned with "Design for Production" standards.


• Tech Transfer: Facilitate the transfer of lab-proven technologies to the construction site, ensuring consistency between prototype results and mass production.

(For Lead Role Only: Additional Responsibilities)

• Strategic Leadership: Define the roadmap for the Building Technology Unit, prioritizing innovations that drive the 2026 Strategy.


• Team Management: Mentor and manage a team of engineers and technicians, fostering a culture of speed, precision, and innovation.


• Stakeholder Management: Report directly to the Head of R&D and present technical progress to the Citra Leadership Team.

Qualifications

Required:

• Education: Minimum of a Master’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering.


• Experience: 1–3 years of experience in construction innovation, within either an academic research environment or the industrial sector.


• Specialization: Demonstrated focus on construction materials and technologies within the built environment.


• Material Expertise: Proficiency with cement-based composites and experience working with composite materials/structures.


• Lab Proficiency: Proven track record of working in a hands-on laboratory setting designing and executing experimental research.

Preferred:

• Numerical Modelling: Experience with numerical modelling and simulation.
  


• Software Skills: Familiarity with FEM software or Revit (Citra Production Plugin context) is advantageous


• Industry Exposure: Exposure to alternative building technologies (ABT) or modular construction methods.

Core Competencies

• Innovative Mindset: A passion for challenging the status quo and solving complex engineering problems


• 
  Analytical Rigor: Ability to analyze failure modes (cracks, leaks) and engineer robust solutions


• Operational Agility: Capable of balancing theoretical research with the practical demands of a fast-paced, high-growth startup environment.


• Collaboration: A strong team player who communicates complex technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders.

Why Join Citra?

You will be part of a company with a global ambition to become the "VW of housing"—a trusted brand delivering consistent quality and value. This is an opportunity to leave a mark on the built environment, working with a team dedicated to solving the global housing shortage through technology and design.