Lead Maintenance Engineer - Mining & Drilling

Copper Quail; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 620,000 - 880,000; Full time

Job summary

Copper Quail in Johannesburg is seeking an Engineering Foreman to lead day-to-day maintenance on heavy mining and drilling equipment. You will supervise artisans and technicians, plan preventive and corrective work, and ensure compliance with safety and OEM standards.

The role requires strong fault-finding across mechanical, hydraulic and electrical systems, and the ability to coordinate with production, projects and suppliers to minimise downtime and improve reliability.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ relevant engineering, maintenance or heavy‑equipment experience in mining or drilling.
• Experience supervising artisans, technicians or maintenance teams.
• Strong fault‑finding capability across mechanical and hydraulic systems.
• Willingness to work shifts, overtime and possible relocation.
• Valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Supervise engineering and maintenance teams across mining and drilling equipment.
• Plan and monitor preventive, planned and corrective maintenance.
• Lead breakdown response and technical troubleshooting across mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
• Ensure daily, weekly and shutdown maintenance work is properly planned, prioritised, executed and closed out.
• Monitor equipment condition, downtime trends and maintenance backlogs, and drive corrective actions.
• Support root-cause investigations on significant equipment failures and implement practical reliability improvements.
• Coordinate inspections, servicing, repairs, component replacements and rebuild activities.
• Ensure maintenance standards, OEM requirements, engineering procedures and safety requirements are followed.
• Manage workshop and site engineering activities, including tools, spares, consumables and critical replacement components.
• Liaise with OEMs, suppliers and technical support teams regarding diagnostics and parts.
• Support commissioning, mobilisation and demobilisation of drilling and project equipment.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records, job cards, equipment history and reporting.
• Supervise artisans, technicians and assistants, allocate work and ensure competent execution.
• Coach technical team members and reinforce safe work practices, lock‑out procedures, permits and risk controls.
• Work with Contract Manager / Project Manager to balance maintenance with production priorities.

Skills

Leadership

Fault finding

Maintenance planning

Troubleshooting

Safety

Technical drawings

Driver's license

Education

Trade qualification (Millwright, Fitter, Electrician, Diesel Mechanic)

N4–N6 or Diploma in Mechanical/Electrical/Mining Engineering

Tools

CMMS

Job description

Copper Quail in Johannesburg is seeking an Engineering Foreman to lead day-to-day maintenance on heavy mining and drilling equipment. You will supervise artisans and technicians, plan preventive and corrective work, and ensure compliance with safety and OEM standards.

The role requires strong fault-finding across mechanical, hydraulic and electrical systems, and the ability to coordinate with production, projects and suppliers to minimise downtime and improve reliability.