Senior Electrical Maintenance Engineer

Placements24; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical aid

Pension fund

Life insurance

Job summary

Placements24 in Stellenbosch is seeking a Senior Electrical Maintenance Engineer to lead reliability and safety across the plant's electrical systems. You will develop proactive maintenance strategies, guide a team of technicians, and resolve complex electrical issues to maximize uptime and efficiency.

The role requires deep knowledge of industrial electrical systems, PLCs, VFDs, HMIs, and instrumentation, along with experience in CMMS and data-driven optimization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or National Diploma in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 7 years in electrical maintenance, with at least 3 years in a supervisory role.
• Extensive knowledge of industrial electrical systems, motor control, power distribution and PLC/VFD.
• Proficient in troubleshooting electrical systems and equipment.
• Strong understanding of preventive and predictive maintenance (thermography, vibration).
• Experience with CMMS is essential.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and team management skills.
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and implement improvements.
• Must be legally eligible to work in South Africa.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and manage comprehensive electrical preventative and predictive maintenance programs to maximize equipment uptime and reliability.
• Lead, mentor, and supervise a team of electrical maintenance technicians, ensuring high performance and adherence to safety standards.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot complex electrical faults and failures on production machinery and plant infrastructure, implementing effective and timely repairs.
• Manage the maintenance and repair of electrical control systems, including PLCs, VFDs, HMIs, and instrumentation.
• Oversee spare parts inventory for electrical components, ensuring adequate stock levels and cost-effective procurement.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant health, safety, and environmental regulations and company policies.
• Conduct regular safety audits and risk assessments of electrical installations and maintenance activities.
• Collaborate with production and engineering teams to identify opportunities for process improvement and equipment upgrades.
• Maintain detailed records of maintenance activities, equipment history, and repair costs.
• Contribute to capital expenditure planning for electrical maintenance equipment and upgrades.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Troubleshooting

Data analysis

Safety compliance

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or National Diploma in Electrical Engineering

Tools

CMMS

PLC programming

VFDs

HMI systems

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent name in the food and beverage manufacturing industry, is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Electrical Maintenance Engineer to lead their maintenance operations in Stellenbosch, Western Cape . This critical role focuses on ensuring the reliability, efficiency, and safety of all electrical systems and equipment within the plant. You will be responsible for developing and implementing proactive maintenance strategies, leading a team of maintenance technicians, and resolving complex electrical issues. The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge of industrial electrical systems, a strong understanding of preventative and predictive maintenance techniques, and a proven ability to minimize downtime and optimize asset performance. This position offers the chance to make a significant impact on operational excellence in a well-established and respected organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and manage comprehensive electrical preventative and predictive maintenance programs to maximize equipment uptime and reliability.
• Lead, mentor, and supervise a team of electrical maintenance technicians, ensuring high performance and adherence to safety standards.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot complex electrical faults and failures on production machinery and plant infrastructure, implementing effective and timely repairs.
• Manage the maintenance and repair of electrical control systems, including PLCs, VFDs, HMIs, and instrumentation.
• Oversee spare parts inventory for electrical components, ensuring adequate stock levels and cost-effective procurement.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant health, safety, and environmental regulations and company policies.
• Conduct regular safety audits and risk assessments of electrical installations and maintenance activities.
• Collaborate with production and engineering teams to identify opportunities for process improvement and equipment upgrades.
• Maintain detailed records of maintenance activities, equipment history, and repair costs.
• Contribute to capital expenditure planning for electrical maintenance equipment and upgrades.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or National Diploma in Electrical Engineering or a related technical field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in electrical maintenance, with at least 3 years in a supervisory or senior role within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Extensive knowledge of industrial electrical systems, motor control, power distribution, and control systems (PLCs, VFDs).
• Proficiency in troubleshooting electrical systems and equipment.
• Strong understanding of preventative and predictive maintenance methodologies (e.g., thermography, vibration analysis).
• Experience with CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) is essential.
• Excellent leadership, team management, and communication skills.
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong commitment to safety and environmental standards.
• Must be legally eligible to work in South Africa.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary, a comprehensive benefits package including private medical aid, a generous pension fund, and life insurance.
• This role in picturesque Stellenbosch provides an excellent opportunity for career growth within a leading company.
• We are committed to employee development and offer various training programs and opportunities for advancement.
• The company promotes a positive and collaborative work environment, emphasizing work-life balance and employee well-being.
• You will be part of a team dedicated to maintaining operational excellence.