Senior Electrician - Heavy Industry & Rolling Mill

Headhunters; Gqeberha; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 640,000; Full time

Job summary

Headhunters is seeking a highly experienced Trade Tested Electrician to join a 24/7 rolling mill/heavy industrial operation in Gqeberha, South Africa. You will perform electrical breakdown maintenance, diagnose faults across MV/LV systems, and support PLC-controlled automation across rolling mills, furnaces, cranes and related equipment.

The role requires hands-on experience in continuous-production environments, reading electrical and automation drawings, and a strong focus on safety and

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years’ experience as a Trade Tested Electrician/Artisan.
• Experience in steel/rolling mill or heavy industrial environments is highly advantageous.
• Hands-on experience in 24/7 production and breakdown maintenance.
• Practical experience with rolling mills, furnaces, cranes, hydraulic systems and industrial utility equipment.
• Strong knowledge of MV/LV power distribution, transformers, switchgear, MCCs and VFDs.
• Experience with conveyors, roller tables, shear machines and induction heaters.
• Experience working with DC motors and slip‑ring motors up to 1500 kW.
• Practical experience with PLC-based automation systems and industrial instrumentation.
• Knowledge of industrial communication protocols and automated production equipment.
• Strong electrical and automation fault-finding and troubleshooting capabilities.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical, instrumentation and automation drawings.
• Knowledge and practical application of preventive maintenance principles.
• Sound understanding of electrical safety procedures, including LOTO.
• Knowledge of applicable electrical compliance and safety requirements.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a safety-critical, high-production environment.
• Willingness to work shifts and respond to breakdowns in a continuous production operation.

Responsibilities

• Perform electrical breakdown maintenance and fault finding on rolling mill and associated production equipment.
• Diagnose and repair electrical faults across MV/LV systems, MCCs, switchgear, transformers and VFDs.
• Maintain and troubleshoot PLC-controlled automation systems and industrial instrumentation.
• Fault-find on motors, including DC and slip-ring motors up to 1500 kW.
• Maintain and troubleshoot conveyors, roller tables, shear machines and induction heating equipment.
• Provide electrical maintenance support to rolling mills, furnaces, cranes, compressors, hydraulic systems and industrial utilities.
• Interpret and work from electrical, instrumentation and automation drawings.
• Carry out preventive and planned maintenance activities to minimise equipment downtime.
• Identify recurring equipment failures and implement effective corrective actions.
• Support the reliable operation of automated production equipment in a 24/7 continuous-process environment.
• Apply and maintain strict LOTO and electrical safety procedures during maintenance activities.
• Ensure work is completed in accordance with applicable electrical, safety and compliance requirements.
• Assist with the commissioning, testing, fault-finding and optimisation of electrical and automation equipment where required.
• Communicate effectively with production, engineering and maintenance teams during breakdowns and planned maintenance.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records and provide feedback on equipment condition and recurring faults.
• Contribute to a strong safety culture and ensure all maintenance activities are performed safely and professionally.

Skills

Trade Tested Electrician

MV/LV power distribution

Industrial automation

Fault-finding

Reading electrical drawings

PLC-based automation

Tools

PLC systems

Automation instrumentation

Job description

Headhunters is seeking a highly experienced Trade Tested Electrician to join a 24/7 rolling mill/heavy industrial operation in Gqeberha, South Africa. You will perform electrical breakdown maintenance, diagnose faults across MV/LV systems, and support PLC-controlled automation across rolling mills, furnaces, cranes and related equipment.

The role requires hands-on experience in continuous-production environments, reading electrical and automation drawings, and a strong focus on safety and