Lead Industrial Machinery Technician

Placements24; Durban; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary based bonus

Medical aid

Provident fund

Training & certifications

PPE provided

Relocation assistance

Career advancement

Annual leave & sick leave

Job summary

Placements24 in Durban is seeking a Lead Industrial Machinery Technician to oversee installation, maintenance, and repair of complex manufacturing equipment. You will lead a team of technicians, diagnose mechanical, electrical, hydraulic issues, and implement preventative maintenance to minimise downtime.

The role requires strong leadership, deep technical knowledge of CNC machines, robotics, and automated systems, and a commitment to safety and continuous improvement on the shop floor.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years in industrial machinery maintenance and repair.
• Experience in leadership or supervisory roles within a technical team.
• Strong knowledge of CNC, robotics and automated systems.
• Proficient reading of engineering drawings, schematics and P&IDs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of industrial technicians.
• Oversee installation, commissioning and setup of new machinery.
• Diagnostics and repairs across mechanical, electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic systems.
• Develop preventative maintenance schedules to minimise downtime.
• Troubleshoot production line issues to ensure continuous operations.
• Ensure health, safety and environmental regulations are followed.
• Maintain records of maintenance activities and parts inventory.
• Collaborate with production and engineering to optimise performance.
• Manage spare parts and vendor relationships for critical components.
• Contribute to ongoing maintenance process improvements.

Skills

Leadership

CNC machinery

Robotics

P&IDs reading

Welding & fabrication

Diagnostics & root cause analysis

Safety compliance

Communication

Education

Trade qualification or technical degree

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major player in the manufacturing sector, is looking for a Lead Industrial Machinery Technician to join their operations in **Durban**. This pivotal role involves overseeing the installation, maintenance, and repair of complex industrial machinery, ensuring minimal downtime and optimal operational efficiency. As the Lead Technician, you will be responsible for diagnosing and resolving intricate mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic issues, leading a team of skilled technicians, and implementing preventative maintenance strategies. This is an exciting opportunity to work with advanced manufacturing equipment and contribute directly to the productivity of a key industrial hub in KwaZulu-Natal. The successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities, a deep technical understanding of industrial equipment, and a proactive approach to problem-solving. This position requires a hands‑on leader committed to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of industrial technicians, providing guidance and technical support.
• Oversee the installation, commissioning, and setup of new industrial machinery.
• Perform complex diagnostics and repairs on mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems.
• Develop and implement comprehensive preventative maintenance schedules to minimize equipment failures.
• Troubleshoot and resolve production line issues to ensure smooth and continuous operations.
• Ensure strict adherence to all health, safety, and environmental regulations on the shop floor.
• Maintain accurate records of all maintenance activities, repairs, and parts inventory.
• Collaborate with production and engineering departments to optimize machine performance and identify areas for improvement.
• Manage spare parts inventory and vendor relationships for critical machinery components.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of maintenance processes and procedures.

Requirements

• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in industrial machinery maintenance and repair.
• Proven experience in a leadership or supervisory role within a technical team.
• Strong knowledge of various industrial equipment, including CNC machines, robotics, and automated systems.
• Proficiency in reading engineering drawings, schematics, and P&IDs.
• Experience with welding, fabrication, and precision measurement tools.
• Excellent diagnostic and problem-solving skills with a focus on root cause analysis.
• Commitment to maintaining a safe work environment and enforcing safety protocols.
• Strong communication and leadership abilities.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including occasional weekends and holidays, as production demands.
• Relevant trade qualification or technical degree in a related field.

Benefits

• Attractive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical aid and provident fund.
• Opportunities for advanced training and certifications.
• Company-provided tools and PPE.
• Relocation assistance may be available for exceptional candidates.
• A challenging and rewarding work environment in **Durban**.
• Paid annual leave and sick leave.
• Potential for career advancement within a growing organization.