Master Electrician

Transnet Company; Worcester; On-site; ZAR 550,000 - 850,000; Full time

Job summary

Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM) in Worcester is seeking a Master Electrician to maintain substations, traction power systems and HV equipment in support of rail operations. You will diagnose faults, supervise maintenance, ensure safety standards and compliance, and coordinate repairs with the Technical Supervisor.

The role requires hands-on expertise in HV/MV systems and a proactive approach to ensure continuous service.

Qualifications

• Grade 12/N3 and a red seal trade test
• Minimum 5 years’ artisan experience
• Be medically fit and able to work at heights
• Valid code B driver's licence and ability to drive
• Passed 6.6kV and 11kV AC courses or Electrical power systems course

Responsibilities

• Fault finding and maintenance of substations and traction systems
• Service and maintain transformers and HV equipment
• Check earthing and busbars; ensure safety compliance
• Operate and calibrate DC/AC traction equipment and relays
• Attend emergencies and perform pre-trip inspections
• Maintain high voltage circuit breakers and battery systems

Job description

Master Electrician

• Operating Division: Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM)
• Employee Group: Permanent
• Department: Electrical
• Location: Worcester
• Reporting To: Technical Supervisor
• Grade: H3
• Reference: req6061

Closing Date

The closing date is on 29/10/2026. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that HR has received the application before the closing date of the advertisement.

Position Purpose

To ensure reliable operational service of Electrical Sub-stations for train operations and transmission distribution and Traction systems.

Under general supervision inspect, test, fault finding, repairs and maintain substations traction power supplies, overhead track equipment and transmission lines (all types) to ensure availability and efficient supply of electric power and support for the continuous operations of the company’s electric substation and signalling within company for the running of trains and other operational requirements in accordance with sound knowledge of substation circuitry, safety and business standards.

Position Outputs

• 1. Responsible for finding and investigating electrical faults within the substation and signal supply points and fixing them after thorough investigation has been conducted based on the approved maintenance program received from the Supervisor or instruction received from the centralised electrical control office Service and maintain high voltage circuit breakers, minimum and bulk oil, SF6 gas and vacuum breakers to detect malfunctioning and any leakages/damages and determine resistance and load for appropriate action plan
• 2. Service and maintain transformers (main and auxiliary) to detect malfunctioning and any leakages/damages and determine if they are in good working condition and decide whether immediate or pre-planned action is required
• 3. Check earthing of current and voltage transformers and the block jointing of secondary side cables to ensure that they are in good working condition by performing the following activities
• 4. Service and maintain 3kV DC silicon diode rectifier and wave filter equipment to detect malfunctioning and any leakages/damages and determine resistance and load for appropriate action plan
• 5. Examine the 3Kv DC Busbar and the under-voltage relay to determine any earth leakage circuits and ensure that under-voltage relay drop out and pick up operations are correct
• 6. Service and maintain high speed circuit breakers to ensure that they are in good condition and repair any detected failures and malfunctions in accordance with sound knowledge of substation circuitry, safety, and business standards
• 7. Service and maintain batteries and battery chargers to ensure that they are in good working condition by checking connection for tightness and adjust them accordingly where applicable and boost charge current in accordance with safety standards and battery ampere hour capacity
• 8. Ensure that the equipment is regenerated by obtaining reading from the PLC microprocessor, analyses and rectifies faults
• 9. Responsible for the safe storage and control of equipment and material kept on his/her vehicle
• 10. Carries out good housekeeping to ensure the working area, machinery and tools are kept clean and tidy after all repairs and maintenance work has been completed
• 11. Perform general administration related to the job by compiling and submitting reports to the Technical Supervisor for work performed and other related matters
• 12. Carries out pre-trip inspection on equipment, road vehicles, road-rail vehicles, employee protective equipment and lifting equipment to ensure that they are in good condition and usable
• 13. Attend to emergency callouts on breakdowns and any equipment failures
• 14. 25kv maintenance of outdoor and Vacuum Circuit Breakers ,11KV OCB and fault finding on faulty breakers
• 15. Seal leaking and sweating Transformers
• 16. Be able to adjust tap changers on the transformer as per required voltages
• 17. Trouble shooting on telecontrol equipment
• 18. Stringing of substation flying busbars
• 19. Installation of 11kv and 25kv Auxiliary Transformers
• 20. High Voltage and medium voltage joining and termination

Qualifications and Experience

• Grade 12/N3
• Trade Test red seal
• Minimum of 5 Years experience as an artisan
• Working at Heights
• Completed all the OBML modules
• Be in possession of code B drivers’ licence and be competent and prepared to drive such a vehicle
• Passed 6.6kV and 11kV AC course or Electrical power systems course (3 months duration)
• Passed training on 3kV DC, 25kv AC, 50KV AC (Electrical Traction System) and Electrical power systems course
• A red/brown certificate 6.6kv AC, 11kV AC, 25kV AC, 50Kv AC and 3kV DC
• Physically fit
• Medical fitness
• Good visual acuity

Competencies

KNOWLEDGE:

• Electrical maintenance
• Electrical system
• Safety policy and procedures/Act 85
• High voltage safety instruction
• Fleet management policy and procedures
• Electrical Norms and standards
• Material and equipment
• Wiring premises
• (SABS0142 of 1993)
• SANS 3000-4
• High voltage

SKILLS:

• Analytical ability
• Problem solving
• Fault finding
• Teamwork
• Report writing
• Schematic diagrams reading
• Decision making and business acumen.
• Time management
• First aid
• Fire fighting
• Computer Literacy
• Communication/Networking
• Interpersonal skills
• Conflict Management
• Negotiation
• Project Management
• Decision Making
• Supervisory
• Root cause analysis
• Work under pressure
• Leadership
• Team building
• Ability to manage and co ordinate resource and teams efficiently

ATTITUDES:

• Quality orientated
• Self confidence
• Cost conscious
• Results orientated
• Reliable
• Safety conscious
• Senses of urgency
• Responsible
• Positive attitude
• Fair decision making
• Approachable
• Leadership
• Right temperament

Equity Statement

Preference will be given to suitably qualified Applicants who are members of the designated groups in line with the Employment Equity Plan and Targets of the Organisation/Operating Division.