Maintenance Technician - Heavy Machinery

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 520,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement benefits

Training opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Maintenance Technician for its facility in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. The role focuses on preventive maintenance and prompt repairs of heavy machinery to maximise uptime and efficiency.

You will read manuals and schematics, troubleshoot mechanical, electrical and hydraulic faults, and work closely with production teams on scheduling. The ideal candidate has at least 4 years of experience in an industrial setting, a relevant technical qualification, and a strong commitment

Qualifications

• Relevant technical qualification or apprenticeship in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
• 4+ years of experience maintaining heavy machinery or industrial equipment.
• Experience in Mpumalanga, Nelspruit is highly desirable.
• Strong troubleshooting in mechanical, electrical and hydraulic systems.
• Proficient reading and interpretation of technical drawings and schematics.
• Familiarity with preventative maintenance and CMMS.
• Good understanding of workshop safety procedures.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Willing to work on-site in Nelspruit and overtime as needed.

Responsibilities

• Perform scheduled preventive maintenance on heavy machinery and production equipment.
• Diagnose and repair mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic failures.
• Respond to equipment breakdowns and perform emergency repairs.
• Read manuals, blueprints, and schematics to guide repairs.
• Maintain records of maintenance activities, parts used and labor hours.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety and environmental regulations.
• Assist installation and commissioning of new machinery and equipment.
• Manage spare parts inventory and recommend reorder levels.
• Collaborate with production teams to schedule maintenance with minimal disruption.

Skills

Mechanical troubleshooting

Electrical troubleshooting

Hydraulic systems

CMMS

Reading schematics

Preventative maintenance

Safety compliance

Teamwork

Independent worker

On-site work

Education

Mechanical or Electrical tech qualification

Tools

CMMS familiarity

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a significant player in the heavy machinery manufacturing sector, is seeking a skilled Maintenance Technician for its facility in Nelspruit , Mpumalanga. This role is critical for ensuring the optimal functioning and longevity of all heavy machinery and production equipment within the plant. The ideal candidate will possess strong mechanical and electrical troubleshooting skills, with a proven ability to perform both routine maintenance and emergency repairs. This is an on-site position requiring hands‑on expertise and a commitment to safety in the industrial operations of Nelspruit . We are looking for a proactive individual dedicated to minimizing downtime and maximizing equipment performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform scheduled preventive maintenance on heavy machinery and production equipment.
• Diagnose and repair mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic failures in machinery.
• Respond promptly to equipment breakdowns and perform emergency repairs to restore functionality.
• Read and interpret technical manuals, blueprints, and schematics to guide repairs and maintenance.
• Maintain accurate records of all maintenance activities, parts used, and labor hours.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and environmental regulations during maintenance operations.
• Assist in the installation and commissioning of new machinery and equipment.
• Manage spare parts inventory and recommend reorder levels for critical components.
• Collaborate with production teams to schedule maintenance activities with minimal disruption to operations.

Requirements

• A relevant technical qualification or apprenticeship in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in maintaining heavy machinery or industrial equipment.
• Experience working in an industrial setting in Mpumalanga , specifically Nelspruit , is highly desirable.
• Strong troubleshooting skills in mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic systems.
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting technical drawings and schematics.
• Familiarity with preventative maintenance techniques and CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems).
• Good understanding of workshop safety procedures.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Must be willing to work on‑site in Nelspruit and potentially overtime as needed.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive annual salary, performance-based bonuses, and comprehensive medical aid and retirement benefits.
• Employees have access to state‑of‑the‑art maintenance workshops in Nelspruit and opportunities for ongoing training and certification.
• The company fosters a strong safety culture and provides a stable working environment with potential for career growth within the maintenance department.