Junior Facilities Engineer

Watchmaker Genomics; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 450 000; Full time

Job summary

A biotechnology company in Cape Town seeks a Junior Facilities Engineer to ensure efficient operation of facilities and equipment. The successful candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering and over 3 years of relevant experience. Responsibilities include maintaining laboratory equipment, overseeing building systems, and ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards. This role offers an opportunity to thrive in a dynamic work environment that values collaboration and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or diploma in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering with relevant industry experience (+ 3 years).
• Strong knowledge of HVAC, plumbing, and manufacturing environments.
• Experience with calibration and validation of laboratory equipment.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and troubleshoot laboratory and production equipment.
• Oversee maintenance of building systems and equipment.
• Ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards.

Skills

Knowledge of building systems

Experience with laboratory equipment maintenance

Familiarity with regulatory standards (FDA, GMP, ISO)

Excellent problem-solving skills

Strong communication skills

Highly organized and detail-oriented

Education

Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Position: Junior Facilities Engineer

Position Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Department: Operations

Location: Salt River, Cape Town (onsite)

Experience: Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Electrical (preferable) or Mechanical Engineering with relevant industry experience (+ 3 years)

Position Description

Watchmaker Genomics is inviting applications for the full‑time position of a Junior Facilities Engineer in our Cape Town Office. This position reports directly to the Facilities Engineer at the Cape Town site, and will be responsible for ensuring that all facilities and equipment operate efficiently and comply with all quality and regulatory requirements. This role involves maintaining, troubleshooting, and improving the physical infrastructure, laboratory and manufacturing equipment essential for our R&D and manufacturing activities. The successful candidate will thrive in a dynamic, fast‑paced working environment and contribute directly to our company culture and success.

Responsibilities

Equipment Maintenance

• Maintain and troubleshoot a variety of laboratory and production equipment.
• Ensure that all equipment is calibrated, validated, and functioning according to specifications.
• Maintain a comprehensive equipment maintenance schedule, including routine inspections, calibrations, and repairs.
• Work closely with PD and production teams to optimize equipment performance and address any operational issues.
• Manage equipment documentation, including maintenance logs, calibration records, and qualification reports.
• Other duties as assigned.

Facilities Management

• Oversee the operation and maintenance of building systems, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and manufacturing environments.
• Coordinate with external contractors and vendors for the maintenance, repair, cleaning, and upgrade of facilities.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and building codes and regulations.
• Execute preventive maintenance programs to minimize downtime and extend the life of facility assets.
• Manage the installation and commissioning of new equipment and infrastructure projects.
• Other duties as assigned.

Regulatory Compliance And Documentation

• Ensure that all facilities and equipment meet regulatory requirements, including those set by ISO standards.
• Prepare and maintain detailed documentation for audits, inspections, and regulatory submissions.
• Participate in internal and external audits, and implement corrective actions as required.

Environmental Health And Safety

• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams, including R&D, PD, production, quality assurance, to establish an EH&S program to support local requirements.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify and implement opportunities for improving facility operations, equipment efficiency, and overall productivity.
• Stay current with industry trends, technologies, and best practices in facilities and equipment management.
• Provide training and support to staff on the proper use and maintenance of equipment and current EH&S policies and procedures.

Skills And Requirements

• Technical Skills:
  • Strong knowledge of building systems, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and manufacturing environments.
  • Experience with laboratory and production equipment maintenance, calibration, and validation.
  • Familiarity with regulatory standards, such as FDA, GMP, and ISO.
  • Experience with environmental health and safety policies and procedures.
  • Excellent problem‑solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot complex systems.
• Soft Skills:
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross‑functional teams.
  • Highly organized and detail‑oriented, with a commitment to accuracy and compliance.
  • Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks in a fast‑paced environment.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and move equipment up to 20 kg.
• Willingness to work in laboratory and manufacturing environments, which may require wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).

Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Electrical (preferable) or Mechanical Engineering with relevant industry experience (+ 3 years)

Application Requirements

1. Letter of motivation (upload where it says cover letter)
2. Resume or Curriculum vitae, highlighting relevant qualifications and experience

Applications without a Letter of Motivation will not be considered. Local candidates preferred.

If selected to participate in the interview process, the names and contact information of three professional references who are able to assess your suitability for the position in terms of the specified requirements will be requested. We will also request a current payslip.

To ensure your application is considered, please submit it by 5 January 2026. Please note that this position may close earlier if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

NO RECRUITMENT AGENCIES PLEASE

We are only accepting direct applications for this position. We are not working with external recruiters or agencies at this time. Unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from third‑party recruiters will not be considered and will be deemed the property of Watchmaker Genomics.

SOUTH AFRICA - WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

Watchmaker Genomics is committed to being an equal opportunity employer and creating a culturally diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability status, age, or veteran status or any other characteristics as protected by applicable law.

All applicants will be asked if currently eligible to work in South Africa; and if now or in the future will require visa sponsorship to continue working in South Africa. South African citizens preferred.

This position may be subject to pre‑employment checks, including driving history check, drug screening and a background check for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities. All pre‑employment checks will comply with all applicable laws.