Maintenance Technician (Automotive)

Staff Solutions; Akasia; On-site; ZAR 520,000 - 760,000; Full time

Job summary

Staff Solutions in Gauteng, Akasia is seeking an experienced Industrial Maintenance Technician to lead maintenance for sewing manufacturing equipment. You will diagnose, repair, and optimize electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, and PLC-based systems to maximise uptime.

This role requires 7+ years in manufacturing maintenance, 5+ years in sewing environments, and recognized qualification such as Millwright Trade Test or Mechatronics Diploma.

Qualifications

• Matric / Grade 12
• Millwright Trade Test, Mechatronics Diploma, or an equivalent technical qualification
• 7+ years' maintenance experience in a manufacturing environment
• 5+ years' direct maintenance experience within a sewing manufacturing environment
• Strong troubleshooting skills in electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems
• Experience working with PLC-controlled equipment
• Computer literacy is essential

Responsibilities

• Diagnose and repair electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, and PLC-related equipment failures
• Respond to equipment breakdowns and restore operations safely and efficiently
• Support production by minimizing downtime and maximizing equipment availability
• Escalate unresolved technical issues and coordinate with suppliers where necessary
• Execute preventive and predictive maintenance activities in accordance with maintenance schedules
• Verify the completion and effectiveness of preventive maintenance tasks
• Identify potential equipment risks and implement preventive actions before failures occur
• Maintain accurate and timely maintenance records
• Lead and participate in root cause investigations for significant equipment failures
• Apply structured problem-solving methodologies such as 5 Why, Fishbone Diagram, and A3
• Develop, implement, and monitor corrective and preventive actions
• Share lessons learned and best practices with the maintenance team
• Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability, MTBF, and maintenance efficiency
• Support equipment modifications, upgrades, and optimization projects
• Assist with spare parts standardization and critical spare parts management
• Provide technical coaching and on-the-job training to maintenance technicians
• Assist in developing troubleshooting guides, SOPs, and maintenance standards
• Promote knowledge sharing and continuous skills development
• Support supervisors in assessing technical competency and identifying training needs
• Ensure full compliance with all health and safety requirements, including LOTO procedures
• Participate in safety inspections and risk assessments
• Maintain high housekeeping standards within maintenance work areas

Skills

Troubleshooting

Root Cause Analysis

Communication

Team leadership

Independent work

Education

Millwright Trade Test

Mechatronics Diploma

Equivalent technical qualification

Tools

Maximo Maintenance Management System

Profinet & Ethernet

Job description

Main Responsibilities:

Equipment Maintenance & Troubleshooting:

• Diagnose and repair electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, and PLC-related equipment failures
• Respond to equipment breakdowns and restore operations safely and efficiently
• Support production by minimizing downtime and maximizing equipment availability
• Escalate unresolved technical issues and coordinate with suppliers where necessary

Preventive Maintenance:

• Execute preventive and predictive maintenance activities in accordance with maintenance schedules
• Verify the completion and effectiveness of preventive maintenance tasks
• Identify potential equipment risks and implement preventive actions before failures occur
• Maintain accurate and timely maintenance records

Root Cause Analysis:

• Lead and participate in root cause investigations for significant equipment failures
• Apply structured problem-solving methodologies such as 5 Why, Fishbone Diagram, and A3
• Develop, implement, and monitor corrective and preventive actions
• Share lessons learned and best practices with the maintenance team

Technical Improvement:

• Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability, MTBF, and maintenance efficiency
• Support equipment modifications, upgrades, and optimization projects
• Assist with spare parts standardization and critical spare parts management

Training & Team Development:

• Provide technical coaching and on-the-job training to maintenance technicians
• Assist in developing troubleshooting guides, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and maintenance standards
• Promote knowledge sharing and continuous skills development
• Support supervisors in assessing technical competency and identifying training needs

Safety & Compliance:

• Ensure full compliance with all health and safety requirements, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures
• Participate in safety inspections and risk assessments
• Maintain high housekeeping standards within maintenance work areas

Minimum Requirements:

• Matric /Grade12
• Millwright Trade Test, Mechatronics Diploma, or an equivalent technical qualification
• 7 + years' maintenance experience in a manufacturing environment
• 5 + years' direct maintenance experience within a sewing manufacturing environment
• Strong troubleshooting skills in electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems
• Experience working with PLC-controlled equipment
• Computer literacy is essential

Key Skills and Competencies:

• PLC diagnostics and fault finding
• Industrial network troubleshooting (Profinet, Ethernet, Fieldbus)
• Root Cause Analysis facilitation
• Experience using Maximo Maintenance Management System
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently with minimal supplier support
• Strong coaching, mentoring, and teamwork abilities