Mechanical Engineer (Boilers)

Tongaat Hulett; Empangeni; On-site; ZAR 650,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Tongaat Hulett is seeking a Mechanical Engineer (Boilers) at Felixton Mill to optimise operations, develop technical specifications, and lead improvements in plant maintenance and reliability. The role requires hands-on problem solving, project management, and strong collaboration with operations.

The successful candidate will contribute to efficiency targets, mentor engineers in training, and ensure adherence to safety and quality standards across the sugar complex.

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering from an ECSA-accredited institution.
• At least 3 years post-graduate experience in heavy industry.
• Registration as a Professional Engineer or Professional Technologist would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Involvement in procurement, negotiations with outside parties, and quality control during manufacture and installation, acceptance testing and commissioning.
• Providing engineering expertise to operations to ensure smooth and optimum performance of plant machinery and systems.
• Carrying out problem solving and root cause analysis, providing solutions and preventative measures.
• Developing and reviewing technical specifications for mechanical equipment.
• Performing design analysis on failures to determine root causes.
• Managing autonomous improvement projects within plant maintenance and operations.

Skills

Problem solving

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

BSc/BEng/BTech (Mechanical)

Tools

CAD (Autodesk Inventor/Solid Edge)

MS Projects

MS Office

Job description

Job Title: Mechanical Engineer (Boilers) - Felixton Mill

Level: D2

Reports To: Engineering Manager

Context/Scope:

• Three Sugar Manufacturing mills situated on along the North coast of Kwa Zulu Natal stretching from Tongaat through to Empangeni.
• A sugar Refining operations based in South Coast Road Durban
• An animal feeds manufacturing plant situated in Tongaat alongside the Maidstone Sugar Mill.
• A technical operations support comprising technical specialists who provide high level support to the operations both in South Africa and foreign operations.

Tongaat Hulett has a proud 131-year history and a strong socio-economic legacy in KwaZulu-Natal province, in South Africa, and into sub-Saharan Africa. Technical operations include the following:

The company’s current priority is to improve the overall business performance in the medium to longer term and our objectives are to operate strategically, sustainably, efficiently and profitably. Tongaat Hulett’s focus is on re-energising assets that will be cash-generative, and exploring new customer segments.

Going forward the company is focused on leveraging our value chain, and create a platform for long-term growth, while maintaining strong relationships with our key stakeholders.

Purpose of Role:

To ensure optimisation of operations within budgetary constraints, for improved maintenance and technical excellence.

• Accountabilities: Involvement in procurement, negotiations with outside parties, and quality control during manufacture and installation, acceptance testing and commissioning.
• Providing engineering expertise to operations to ensure smooth and optimum performance of plant machinery and systems.
• Carrying out problem solving, failure root cause analysis, provision of solutions and preventative measures.
• Develop and review technical specifications for Mechanical equipment.
• Perform design analysis on failures to determine root causes.
• Perform design analysis on existing equipment to determine its remaining life and develop improvement modifications.
• Assisting with the building of technical competence in the organisation. To set an example for mechanical engineering, driving the adoption of improved technology and in the diligent application of mechanical engineering principles.
• Dissemination of technical information, holding of seminars and workshops and the mentoring of engineers in training.
• Development and application of good engineering standards and practices and the carrying out of technical audits.
• Autonomous management of improvement projects and interventions within any field typical to the role of a mechanical engineer in the sugar industry, including plant maintenance, maintenance strategies and aspects of plant operations.
• Managing Plant SHEQ issues. Risk identification and management.
• Developing productive working relationships with factory personnel and industry specialists.

Qualifications And Experience Required

• BSc/BEng/BTech (Mechanical) from an institution accredited by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).
• At least 3 years post graduate experience in heavy industry.
• Registration as a Professional Engineer or Professional Technologist would be advantageous.
• Strong driver and implementer who takes initiative. KNOWLEDGE:
• Pumps (positive displacement & centrifugal), gearboxes, fans, compressors, centrifuge, welding technologies, bearings, basic structural engineering, asset management.
• Boilers, combustion, fuel, stack abatement, fuel storage, generators, and boiler protection. Pressure equipment.
• Turbines and turbo-alternator operation and maintenance experience.
• Materials Handling.
• Technology selection, system specification.
• Mechanical Engineering Design. Detail equipment design & specification, international drawing standards.
• Project Management, commissioning.
• Budget preparation, feasibility studies, basic project management practices.
• Software Tools - MS Office Suite, MS Projects, CAD (Autodesk Inventor/Solid Edge).
• Safety, Health and Environment legislation and standards.
• Advanced mechanical design will be advantageous.
• GCC and/or registration as a professional in relevant category with ECSA will be advantageous.

Skills

• Problem Solving - able to apply rigorous problem-solving methods to find root causes, explore creative options and solve difficult problems for measurable business value.
• Analytical thinking - able to interpret, link and analyse information systemically to understand complex issues.
• Communication and Knowledge management - able to communicate broadly and powerfully and share information and knowledge using appropriate channels and technology to both individuals and groups.