Maintenance Technician

University of Fort Hare; Durban; On-site; ZAR 240,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Fort Hare in Durban seeks a Maintenance Technician (Mechanical & Electrical) to maintain and repair critical production equipment in a plastics packaging environment. You will diagnose faults, perform preventative maintenance, read schematics and drawings, and participate in upgrades and installations to minimise downtime.

The role requires a Grade 12 / Matric and a trade qualification in Electrical, Mechanical, Millwright, or related field, with 2–3 years’ experience.

Qualifications

• Relevant technical qualification in Electrical, Mechanical, Millwright, or a related trade.
• Recognised trade qualification would be advantageous.
• Minimum 2–3 years’ experience in mechanical and electrical maintenance, preferably within a manufacturing or packaging environment.
• Sound knowledge of preventative and corrective maintenance procedures.
• Ability to fault-find, diagnose, repair, and maintain mechanical and electrical equipment.
• Basic understanding of electrical diagrams, mechanical drawings, and technical documentation.
• Good problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to work independently and respond effectively to equipment breakdowns.

Responsibilities

• Perform preventative, corrective, and breakdown maintenance on mechanical and electrical production equipment.
• Inspect, diagnose, and repair machinery faults to minimise production downtime.
• Carry out routine inspections, servicing, lubrication, adjustments, and replacement of worn or damaged components.
• Read and interpret electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, manuals, and technical documentation.
• Assist with the installation, commissioning, modification, and upgrading of machinery and production equipment.
• Respond promptly to equipment breakdowns and implement effective corrective measures.
• Monitor equipment condition and identify potential faults before they result in production interruptions.
• Maintain accurate records of maintenance activities, breakdowns, repairs, parts used, and preventative maintenance completed.
• Work closely with production staff and management to ensure machinery availability and efficient production operations.

Skills

Fault-finding & troubleshooting

Read electrical schematics

Read mechanical drawings

Independent worker

Preventative maintenance

Education

Grade 12 / Matric

Trade qualification in Electrical, Mechanical, Millwright or related

Job description

Job Title: Maintenance Technician (Mechanical & Electrical)

Location: Durban

Job Overview:

Responsible for maintaining, inspecting, troubleshooting, and repairing mechanical and electrical equipment and machinery within a plastic and packaging manufacturing environment. The role involves performing preventative and corrective maintenance, identifying equipment faults, minimising production downtime, and ensuring machinery operates safely, reliably, and efficiently in accordance with company standards and safety requirements.

• Relevant technical qualification in Electrical, Mechanical, Millwright, or a related trade.
• Recognised trade qualification would be advantageous.
• Minimum 2–3 years’ experience in mechanical and electrical maintenance, preferably within a manufacturing or packaging environment.
• Sound knowledge of preventative and corrective maintenance procedures.
• Ability to fault-find, diagnose, repair, and maintain mechanical and electrical equipment.
• Basic understanding of electrical diagrams, mechanical drawings, and technical documentation.
• Good problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to work independently and respond effectively to equipment breakdowns.

Minimum Requirements:

• Grade 12 / Matric qualification.
• Relevant technical qualification in Electrical, Mechanical, Millwright, or a related trade.
• Recognised trade qualification would be advantageous.
• Minimum 2–3 years’ experience in mechanical and electrical maintenance, preferably within a manufacturing or packaging environment.
• Sound knowledge of preventative and corrective maintenance procedures.
• Ability to fault-find, diagnose, repair, and maintain mechanical and electrical equipment.
• Basic understanding of electrical diagrams, mechanical drawings, and technical documentation.
• Good problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to work independently and respond effectively to equipment breakdowns.

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform preventative, corrective, and breakdown maintenance on mechanical and electrical production equipment.
• Inspect, diagnose, and repair machinery faults to minimise production downtime.
• Carry out routine inspections, servicing, lubrication, adjustments, and replacement of worn or damaged components.
• Read and interpret electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, manuals, and technical documentation.
• Assist with the installation, commissioning, modification, and upgrading of machinery and production equipment.
• Respond promptly to equipment breakdowns and implement effective corrective measures.
• Monitor equipment condition and identify potential faults before they result in production interruptions.
• Maintain accurate records of maintenance activities, breakdowns, repairs, parts used, and preventative maintenance completed.
• Work closely with production staff and management to ensure machinery availability and efficient production operations.