Mechanical Engineer - Plant Operations

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 720,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Retirement benefits

On-site training

Stable work environment

Safety focus

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a diligent Mechanical Engineer for plant operations in Richards Bay. The role focuses on ensuring performance, reliability and safety of mechanical equipment, with maintenance strategy development and issue troubleshooting in a demanding production environment.

You will work hands-on with rotating equipment, pumps and piping, lead preventative and predictive programs, and support shutdowns with RCA-driven improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• 5+ years in an industrial plant mechanical engineering role.
• Knowledge of rotating equipment, pumps, piping, and process equipment.
• Experience with CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems).
• Proficiency in root cause analysis (RCA) techniques.
• Strong troubleshooting and diagnostic skills for mechanical systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement preventative and predictive maintenance programs for plant machinery.
• Troubleshoot and repair mechanical failures, diagnosing root causes and implementing corrective actions.
• Oversee mechanical aspects of plant shutdowns and major maintenance activities.
• Analyze equipment performance data to identify areas for improvement and cost reduction.
• Ensure mechanical systems comply with safety regulations and environmental standards.
• Provide technical support and guidance to maintenance technicians and operational staff.

Skills

Rotating equipment

Pumps

Piping systems

Process equipment

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CMMS

Job description

About the Role

Our client has an opening for a diligent Mechanical Engineer to focus on Plant Operations in their facility located in Richards Bay . This role is critical for ensuring the optimal performance, reliability, and safety of all mechanical equipment and systems within the plant. You will be involved in maintenance strategies, troubleshooting complex issues, and implementing continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency. The position requires a hands‑on approach and a deep understanding of industrial mechanical systems to support a demanding production environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement preventative and predictive maintenance programs for plant machinery.
• Troubleshoot and repair mechanical failures, diagnosing root causes and implementing corrective actions.
• Oversee mechanical aspects of plant shutdowns and major maintenance activities.
• Analyze equipment performance data to identify areas for improvement and cost reduction.
• Ensure mechanical systems comply with safety regulations and environmental standards.
• Provide technical support and guidance to maintenance technicians and operational staff.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a mechanical engineering role within an industrial plant environment.
• Strong knowledge of rotating equipment, pumps, piping systems, and process equipment.
• Experience with CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems).
• Proficiency in root cause analysis (RCA) techniques.
• Excellent troubleshooting and diagnostic skills for mechanical systems.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package for the Richards Bay area.
• Comprehensive medical and retirement benefits.
• On-site training and development programs focused on industrial maintenance and operations.
• Exposure to large-scale industrial operations and diverse mechanical challenges.
• A stable work environment with a focus on safety and operational excellence.