Senior Electrical Maintenance Engineer

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Provident fund

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Electrical Maintenance Engineer for a Richards Bay facility in KwaZulu-Natal. You will lead preventive and predictive maintenance programs, troubleshoot complex electrical systems, and drive safety and reliability across the plant.

The role requires 8+ years in heavy industrial electrical maintenance, strong diagnostic skills, and leadership abilities. A Red Seal is advantageous, and CMMS/SCADA/PLCs familiarity is preferred.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in electrical maintenance in heavy industry.
• Red Seal Electrician qualification is advantageous.
• Experience with low/medium/high voltage systems, motors, VSDs, PLCs and HMIs.
• Strong knowledge of SA electrical regulations (OHS Act, SANS 10142).

Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee electrical preventive and predictive maintenance programs.
• Diagnose and repair faults in complex industrial equipment and control systems.
• Manage calibration of electrical testing equipment.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Supervise and mentor electrical technicians and artisans.
• Analyze maintenance data to identify trends and improvements.

Skills

Electrical troubleshooting

Leadership

Communication

Safety awareness

Education

National Diploma/Degree in Electrical Engineering

Red Seal Electrician (advantage)

Tools

CMMS

SCADA

PLCs

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major player in the heavy industrial and manufacturing sector, requires a dedicated Senior Electrical Maintenance Engineer for their facility in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal . This critical role focuses on ensuring the optimal performance, reliability, and safety of all electrical systems and equipment within the plant. You will be responsible for developing and implementing robust maintenance strategies, leading troubleshooting efforts, and driving continuous improvement initiatives to minimize downtime and maximize operational efficiency. The ideal candidate will possess extensive hands‑on experience in industrial electrical maintenance, a strong understanding of safety protocols, and excellent diagnostic skills. This is a key position within the operations team, contributing directly to the plant's productivity and success.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and oversee comprehensive electrical preventive and predictive maintenance programs.
• Lead the diagnosis and repair of electrical faults and failures in complex industrial machinery and control systems.
• Manage the maintenance and calibration of electrical testing equipment.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and environmental regulations related to electrical systems.
• Supervise and mentor a team of electrical technicians and artisans.
• Analyze maintenance data to identify trends, root causes of failures, and opportunities for improvement.
• Oversee the management of spare parts inventory for electrical components.
• Participate in plant shutdowns and scheduled maintenance activities, ensuring efficient execution.
• Contribute to the design review process for new installations and modifications to ensure maintainability.
• Develop and deliver electrical safety training to maintenance personnel.

Requirements

• National Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a relevant technical qualification.
• Trade qualification as an Electrician (Red Seal) is highly advantageous.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in electrical maintenance, preferably within a heavy industrial environment (e.g., mining, chemical processing, manufacturing).
• Proven expertise in troubleshooting and maintaining low, medium, and high-voltage electrical systems, motors, VSDs, PLCs, and HMI systems.
• Strong understanding of South African electrical regulations (e.g., OHS Act, SANS 10142).
• Experience with CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems) for work order management.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours and respond to emergency call‑outs as needed.
• Proficiency in interpreting electrical schematics and technical drawings.
• Commitment to safety and a proactive approach to risk management in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal .

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including medical aid, a provident fund, performance bonuses, and opportunities for advanced training and certification. Relocation assistance may be available for successful candidates. This is a hands‑on, on‑site role based in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal .