Boiler Specialist (Maintenance & Operation)

Square 1 Recruitment; Richards Bay; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Boiler Specialist role based in Richards Bay / KwaZulu-Natal, requiring travel to client sites (~50%). You will oversee maintenance activities and critical shutdown projects for industrial boiler systems in the pulp and paper sector.

Candidates should have a mechanical engineering qualification and roughly 10 years of boiler plant experience, with strong planning, customer communication, and safety focus. Role involves coordinating with suppliers and on-site supervision.

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level engineering qualification in mechanical engineering or equivalent.
• 10+ years of post-qualification boiler plant maintenance experience.
• Proven track record in shutdown planning and execution in industrial settings.
• Experience in the pulp and paper sector is advantageous.
• Ability to communicate clearly on technical and commercial matters; customer-focused.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary technical contact for after-sales boiler services.
• Plan, coordinate, and support boiler shutdowns and maintenance outages.
• Conduct mechanical inspections and performance reviews to improve reliability.
• Lead on-site shutdown activities, ensuring safety, schedule, and budget adherence.
• Engage with customers, suppliers, and contractors on technical and commercial matters.

Skills

Boiler maintenance expertise

Customer relationship management

Shutdown planning & execution

Safety compliance awareness

Education

Degree, BTech, National Higher Diploma, or Diploma in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Boiler Specialist (Maintenance & Operation)

Richards Bay, South Africa | Posted on 06/08/2026

Boiler Specialist | Drive Critical Shutdown Projects inthe Pulp & Paper Industry

An exciting opportunity is available for an experienced Boiler Maintenance Specialist to join a leading international engineering organisation thatdelivers specialised boiler maintenance, shutdown, and after-sales solutions tothe pulp and paper industry . This is an excellent opportunity for ahands-on mechanical engineering professional who thrives in customer-facigenvironments and enjoys balancing technical expertise with commercialresponsibility.

Based in either Kyalami or Richards Bay , the successfulcandidate will support customers throughout KwaZulu-Natal , spendingapproximately 50% of their time travelling to client sites to overseemaintenance activities, shutdown projects, and technical support.

Key Responsibilities

• Serveas the primary technical contact for customers regarding after-salesboiler services.
• Identifycustomer requirements and prepare quotations for spare and wear parts,responding proactively to inspection findings and customer enquiries.
• Plan,coordinate, and support the execution of planned boiler shutdowns,maintenance outages, and inspections.
• Conductmechanical inspections and operational reviews to improve plantperformance and reliability.
• Leador supervise shutdown activities on-site, ensuring projects are deliveredsafely, on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.
• Engagewith customers, suppliers, contractors, and internal stakeholders on bothtechnical and commercial matters.
• Coordinatelocal sourcing for shutdown work, including boiler pressure parts,workshop fabrication, and on-site installation.
• Supportthe execution of projects involving internationally supplied equipment.
• Ensureall work complies with contractual specifications and customerexpectations while maintaining the highest safety standards.

Requirements

Candidate Requirements

• Degree,BTech, National Higher Diploma, or Diploma in Mechanical Engineering.
• Approximately10 years' post-qualification experience in boiler plant maintenance andoperations.
• Strongexperience in industrial boiler maintenance, shutdown planning, andexecution.
• Experienceworking within the pulp and paper industry will be highlyadvantageous.
• Abilityto build strong customer relationships and communicate confidently on bothtechnical and commercial matters.
• Provenexperience supervising maintenance or shutdown activities on industrialsites.
• Strongplanning, organisational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Willingnessto travel extensively throughout KwaZulu-Natal, with approximately 50%site-based travel.
• Validdriver's licence.

Performance Measures

Success in this role will be measured through:

• Achievementof after-sales and spare parts sales objectives.
• Successfulplanning and delivery of shutdown projects.
• Customersatisfaction and long-term relationship development.
• Delivery of projects within agreed safety,quality, budget, and schedule requirements.

Salary & Benefits

A market-related salary package will be offered based onqualifications and experience.

This role offers the opportunity to work with an internationally recognised engineering business supporting critical infrastructure within the pulp and paper sector, while gaining exposure to complex maintenance and shutdown projects across KwaZulu-Natal.

This advert has been prepared from the supplied jobprofile and additional client information while presenting the employer generically and without identifying the client.