Johannesburg: Mechanical Engineer (Maintenance / Projects – Manufacturing) with 1 to 2 years manufacturing experience

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 1) Maintenance Engineering & Machine Readiness – Ensure high levels of machine availability and readiness to support daily production requirements – Assist in fault-finding, troubleshooting and restoring equipment to operational condition – Investigate recurring breakdowns and implement corrective and preventative actions – Support preventative maintenance planning and maintenance execution improvements – Participate in shutdown planning, risk identification and maintenance readiness 2) Project Engineering & Implementation – Support plant improvement projects aimed at increasing efficiency, uptime, safety and throughput – Assist with installations, commissioning, upgrades and modifications of equipment – Develop basic project plans including timelines, risks and resources required – Coordinate contractors and internal teams to ensure projects are completed successfully – Ensure compliance with engineering and safety standards during project execution 3) Continuous Improvement & Operational Productivity – Identify production losses and lead engineering-driven improvement initiatives – Drive lean improvement actions to reduce downtime, improve cycle times and reduce wastage – Monitor equipment performance and highlight opportunities for improvement – Support implementation of operational solutions that increase productivity and output 4) Root Cause Analysis & Problem Solving – Conduct structured root cause analysis (RCA) on failures, defects and process inefficiencies – Use methods such as 5 Why, Fishbone, Pareto, and corrective action tracking – Implement sustainable technical fixes and confirm effectiveness through measurable results 5) Training, SOPs & Standardisation – Train operators and production teams on equipment best practices and improved methods – Assist with developing and updating SOPs, work instructions and maintenance procedures – Promote a culture of accountability, compliance, continuous improvement and performance 6) Reporting & Engineering Documentation – Compile technical reports on downtime, maintenance effectiveness and improvements implemented – Maintain engineering documentation including modification records and equipment updates – Assist with audits and quality requirements where engineering input is needed MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS – BTech / BEng / BSc in Mechanical Engineering (South African university qualification) – 12 years experience as a Maintenance Engineer or Project Engineer in a Manufacturing / Industrial environment – Strong mechanical aptitude and understanding of plant equipment and manufacturing operations – Ability to work on-site in Randburg / Roodepoort KEY SKILLS & COMPETENCIES – Assertive, confident and able to take ownership of engineering actions – Strong technical troubleshooting ability with a solutions-focused mindset – Good planning and coordination skills (projects, contractors, plant priorities) – Strong communication skills with the ability to influence and train teams – High attention to detail with an organised approach to documentation and reporting – Ability to perform under pressure in a fast-paced manufacturing environment ADVANTAGEOUS / PREFERRED – Exposure to planned maintenance systems, CMMS or maintenance scheduling tools – Understanding of safety compliance in manufacturing (risk assessments, permits, SOPs) – Basic knowledge of lean manufacturing / continuous improvement principles – Drivers license and own transport PERFORMANCE MEASURES / KPIS Success in this role will be measured by: – Improved machine uptime and availability – Reduction in recurring breakdowns and downtime losses – Increased productivity and operational efficiency – Successful delivery of improvement projects (scope, time, quality, safety) – Improved operator capability through training and standardised practices