Mechanical Support Engineer x 2

Tongaat Hulett; Durban; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Tongaat Hulett is seeking a permanent Mechanical Engineer to support sugar plant operations, ensuring reliability and performance improvements across equipment and processes. You will conduct inspections, root-cause analyses, design modifications, and oversee asset care, maintenance strategies and vendor engagement to optimise plant availability.

Candidates should hold a BSc/BEng/BTech in Mechanical engineering and may benefit from GCC or ECSA registration; a proactive, collaborative approach is

Qualifications

• BSc / BEng / BTech in Mechanical engineering from an institution accredited by ECSA for registration as a Professional Engineer or Professional Technologist.
• GCC and/or registration as a professional with ECSA will be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Equipment inspections, assessments and performance testing.
• Root-cause problem solving; deliver solutions and preventative measures.
• Develop and review technical specifications for mechanical equipment.
• Perform design analysis on failures to identify root causes.
• Assess remaining life of equipment and suggest improvement modifications.
• Contribute to engineering excellence and mentor engineers in training.

Skills

Problem solving

Analytical thinking

Communication

Project management

Team collaboration

Education

BSc / BEng / BTech (Mechanical)

Tools

MS Office Suite

MS Projects

CAD (Autodesk Inventor/Solid Edge)

Job description

Purpose of the Role

This permanent role supports the operations with mechanical engineering expertise to provide specific technical solutions and ensure the reliability and performance of the equipment and processes. Identifying and implementing high impact improvement projects within current business constraints and statutory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Equipment inspections, assessments and performance testing.
• 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 supporting the development of engineers in training
• Development and application of good engineering standards and practices and the carrying out of technical audits.
• Involvement in procurement, negotiations with outside parties, and quality control during manufacture and installation, acceptance testing and commissioning.
• 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 team members, factory personnel and industry specialists.
• Carry out supplier evaluations – Fabrication , Pumps, Gearboxes pressure vessels , boiler tubes etc.
• Technical adjudication of major tenders in concert with Procurement
• Mill Settings – review the settings carried out by the Mills Engineering teams and support those mills in need to carry out settings
• Asset care – support the operations in the strategy , planning , methodology , , audits , SAP PM module usage and analysis of the impact of asset care

Qualifications

• BSc / BEng / BTech (Mechanical), from an institution accredited by the Engineering Council of South Africa for registration as a Professional Engineer or Professional Technologist.
• GCC and/or registration as a professional in a relevant category with ECSA will be advantageous.

Knowledge, Experience & Skills

• Boilers, combustion, fuel, stack abatement, fuel storage, generators, and boiler protection.
• Sugar technology including cane preparation equipment, diffusers, cane milling, centrifugals, driers, etc.
• Pressure equipment fabrication, repair and maintenance in line with legislation.
• Turbines and turbo-alternator operation and maintenance experience.
• Pumps, gearboxes, fans, compressors, welding technologies, bearings, basic structural engineering, materials handling, etc.
• Technology selection, system specification.
• Mechanical Engineering Design. Detail equipment design & specification, international drawing standards.
• Project Management, commissioning.
• Budget preparation, feasibility studies, basic project management practises.
• Software Tools - MS Office Suite, MS Projects, CAD (Autodesk Inventor/Solid Edge).
• Safety, Health and Environment legislation and standards.
• Mill Settings
• PMBOK - project management methodology
• Boiler efficiency testing
• Sugar industry experience will be highly advantageous
• 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.

Closing date : Friday, 21 August 2026