Machining & Maintenance Technician - R20,000–R25,000 p/m

West Coast Personnel; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 240,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

West Coast Personnel seeks a technically strong trainee for hands-on maintenance and turning/milling work in Cape Town. You will learn to read engineering drawings, operate conventional milling machines, measure with precision tools and assist with maintenance tasks as your competency grows.

We value a solid machining foundation, problem-solving skills and a genuine interest in machinery maintenance. Training and knowledge transfer will develop your skills toward maintenance roles.

Qualifications

• A solid machining foundation and practical conventional milling experience.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and practical problem-solving ability.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and work to specified dimensions and tolerances.
• Competence using precision measuring equipment.
• A genuine interest in machinery maintenance, repairs and fault-finding.
• Willingness to learn older and specialised machinery and develop beyond production machining.
• A responsible approach to workmanship and safe machine operation.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate conventional workshop machinery, particularly milling machines, within your demonstrated competency.
• Work accurately from engineering drawings, dimensions and tolerances.
• Measure and inspect your own work using precision measuring equipment.
• Learn the operation, characteristics and common faults of production machinery.
• Assist with preventative maintenance, inspections, lubrication and planned maintenance activities.
• Develop mechanical fault-finding skills relating to gearboxes, bearings, shafts and other machine components.
• Work alongside experienced internal and external technical specialists to learn and document machinery knowledge.
• Assist with equipment repairs, machine improvements and maintenance projects as your competency develops.

Skills

Machining basics

Reading drawings

Troubleshooting

Maintenance mindset

Education

Fitter & Turner or equivalent

Tools

Precision measuring tools

Hydraulic faults

Electrical fault-finding

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Set up and operate conventional workshop machinery, particularly milling machines, within your demonstrated competency.
• Work accurately from engineering drawings, dimensions and tolerances.
• Measure and inspect your own work using precision measuring equipment.
• Learn the operation, characteristics and common faults of production machinery.
• Assist with preventative maintenance, inspections, lubrication and planned maintenance activities.
• Develop mechanical fault-finding skills relating to gearboxes, bearings, shafts and other machine components.
• Work alongside experienced internal and external technical specialists to learn and document machinery knowledge.
• Assist with equipment repairs, machine improvements and maintenance projects as your competency develops.

Essential Requirements

• A solid machining foundation and practical conventional milling experience.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and practical problem-solving ability.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and work to specified dimensions and tolerances.
• Competence using precision measuring equipment.
• A genuine interest in machinery maintenance, repairs and fault-finding.
• Willingness to learn older and specialised machinery and develop beyond production machining.
• A responsible approach to workmanship and safe machine operation.
• A Fitter & Turner, Toolmaker or comparable technical background.
• Previous exposure to machinery maintenance, breakdown repairs or preventative maintenance.
• Turning, grinding, fitting or fabrication experience.
• Basic hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical fault-finding exposure.

Previous knowledge of the specific machinery is not required. The focus is on finding someone with strong technical fundamentals, a willingness to learn and the potential to grow into the maintenance function through practical training and knowledge transfer.