Plant Engineer (Back end)

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

Job summary

Tongaat Hulett is seeking a Plant Engineer (Back end) in the Durban area to optimise operations within budgetary constraints, improve maintenance, and drive technical excellence. You will contribute to the design, analysis and improvement of mechanical equipment used in the sugar process.

The role demands hands-on problem solving, project leadership, and collaboration with the Engineering team to ensure safe, compliant and efficient plant operations.

Qualifications

• BScEng / BTech in Mechanical engineering from an institution accredited by ECSA.
• Knowledge of pumps, gearboxes, fans, compressors, turbines and materials handling.
• Project management, budgeting and basic feasibility studies.

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, root cause analysis, and implementation of preventative measures.

Skills

Problem Solving

Analytical Thinking

Communication KM

Education

BScEng / BTech (Mechanical)

Tools

CAD (Autodesk Inventor/Solid Edge)

Job description

VACANCY

Site

Maidstone Mill

Job Title

Plant Engineer (Back end)

Grade

D2

Reports to

Engineering Manager

Department

Engineering

Main purpose of the role

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

Top 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.
• 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

• BScEng / BTech (Mechanical), from an institution accredited by the Engineering Council of South Africa.

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.

Closing Date

09 September 2026

Please note that in terms of the company’s diversity and inclusion policy, this position has been bonded for employment equity candidates.