Senior Mechanical Maintenance Engineer - Manufacturing

Placements24; Southampton; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Professional development

Employee safety focus

Collaborative environment

Career prospects

Impact on operations

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a senior mechanical maintenance engineer to lead the maintenance department at a prominent manufacturing site in Randburg. The role focuses on strategic planning, predictive and preventative maintenance, and driving continuous improvement to maximize uptime and efficiency.

You will manage a team, budgets, and ensure safety and regulatory compliance across all mechanical systems, including rotating equipment, hydraulics, and conveyors.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years in mechanical maintenance with 3+ years in supervision.
• Expert in rotating equipment, hydraulics, pneumatics, and conveyors.
• Experience with predictive maintenance technologies such as vibration analysis and thermography.
• Strong leadership and budget management abilities.
• CMMS proficiency and safety regulatory knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and manage mechanical maintenance strategies including preventive and predictive programs.
• Lead and mentor a team of maintenance technicians ensuring safety and performance.
• Oversee maintenance and repair of plant mechanical equipment including pumps, compressors and conveyors.
• Diagnose and resolve complex mechanical failures; conduct root-cause analysis.
• Manage spare parts inventory and procurement.

Skills

Leadership

Rotating equipment maintenance

Hydraulics

Pneumatics

Conveyor systems

Predictive maintenance (vibration,ther

CMMS

Budget management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CMMS

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent manufacturing company based in Randburg, Gauteng, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Mechanical Maintenance Engineer to lead their mechanical maintenance department. This critical role involves the strategic planning, execution, and optimization of all mechanical maintenance activities to ensure maximum uptime and efficiency of production machinery and plant equipment. The successful candidate will oversee a team of maintenance technicians, manage budgets, implement predictive and preventative maintenance programs, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. Expertise in rotating equipment, hydraulics, pneumatics, and overall plant mechanical systems is essential. This position demands strong leadership, excellent analytical skills, and a commitment to maintaining the highest safety and operational standards within a busy manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and manage comprehensive mechanical maintenance strategies, including preventative and predictive maintenance programs.
• Lead, train, and mentor a team of mechanical maintenance technicians, ensuring high performance and safety compliance.
• Oversee the maintenance and repair of all plant mechanical equipment, including production machinery, pumps, compressors, and conveyor systems.
• Diagnose and resolve complex mechanical failures, conducting root cause analysis to prevent recurrence.
• Manage spare parts inventory and ensure timely procurement of necessary components.
• Develop and manage the maintenance budget, controlling costs while ensuring operational effectiveness.
• Ensure all maintenance activities comply with relevant health, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Collaborate with production and engineering teams to minimize operational disruptions and optimize equipment reliability.
• Implement best practices for mechanical maintenance and reliability engineering.
• Review and approve maintenance procedures and technical documentation.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in mechanical maintenance, with at least 3 years in a supervisory or management role within a manufacturing setting.
• Proven expertise in the maintenance of rotating equipment, hydraulics, pneumatics, and conveyor systems.
• Strong understanding of predictive maintenance technologies (e.g., vibration analysis, thermography).
• Excellent knowledge of plant safety regulations and best practices.
• Demonstrated leadership, team management, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Proficiency in using CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems).
• Valid driver's license and willingness to be on standby when required in Randburg.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a demanding production environment.

Benefits

• competitive salary
• comprehensive medical aid
• generous retirement fund
• opportunities for professional development and leadership training
• stable and growing company with a strong emphasis on employee development and safety
• collaborative work environment
• excellent long-term career prospects within the manufacturing industry
• chance to make a substantial impact on operational efficiency