Senior Mechanical Engineer – Metals Processing Assets

South32; Ballito, Boksburg; On-site; ZAR 614,000 - 949,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Performance Bonus

Medical Aid

Pension Fund Contributions

Life and Disability Cover

Relocation Assistance

Paid Annual Leave

Employee Wellness Programs

Professional Membership Support

Job summary

South32 is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to maintain reliability and lead projects at its South African facilities. You will support safe production, work with maintenance, reliability specialists, and project engineers to optimize asset performance.

The role covers rotating equipment, preventive maintenance, root-cause analysis, and capital projects while ensuring compliance with safety and environmental standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) or BEng Mechanical Engineering.
• Registration with ECSA or eligibility for professional registration is advantageous.
• Additional qualifications in Reliability Engineering, Asset Management, or Project Management will be beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical engineering activities for fixed and rotating equipment.
• Manage preventive and predictive maintenance programs.
• Conduct root cause failure analysis and implement corrective actions.
• Improve plant reliability and equipment availability.
• Support shutdown planning and maintenance execution.
• Review mechanical designs, drawings, and specifications.
• Participate in capital improvement and expansion projects.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and engineering standards.
• Coordinate with contractors, suppliers, and project stakeholders.
• Develop asset management strategies and reliability programs.
• Monitor equipment performance through condition monitoring systems.
• Prepare engineering reports, technical documentation, and project updates.
• Assist with energy efficiency and sustainability initiatives.

Skills

Mechanical Design

Reliability Engineering

Asset Integrity Management

Root Cause Analysis

Predictive Maintenance

Shutdown Management

Project Coordination

Risk Assessment

Technical Reporting

Budget Management

Continuous Improvement

Education

Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical)

ECSA registration/eligibility

Reliability/Asset Management certs beneficial

Tools

SAP PM

CMMS

Job description

Senior Mechanical Engineer – South32 South Africa

Company: South32
Location: Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Position: Mechanical Engineer
Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Industry: Mining, Metals Processing, Heavy Engineering
Department: Engineering & Asset Management

South32 is seeking a highly motivated Mechanical Engineer to support operational excellence across its South African metals processing facilities. South32 operates significant mining and metals assets in Southern Africa, including aluminium and manganese operations.

Job Summary

This position is responsible for maintaining mechanical reliability, improving equipment performance, leading engineering projects, and supporting safe production operations. The successful candidate will work closely with maintenance teams, production departments, reliability specialists, and project engineers to ensure world‑class asset performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical engineering activities for fixed and rotating equipment.
• Manage preventive and predictive maintenance programs.
• Conduct root cause failure analysis and implement corrective actions.
• Improve plant reliability and equipment availability.
• Support shutdown planning and maintenance execution.
• Review mechanical designs, drawings, and specifications.
• Participate in capital improvement and expansion projects.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and engineering standards.
• Coordinate with contractors, suppliers, and project stakeholders.
• Develop asset management strategies and reliability programs.
• Monitor equipment performance through condition monitoring systems.
• Prepare engineering reports, technical documentation, and project updates.
• Assist with energy efficiency and sustainability initiatives.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) or BEng Mechanical Engineering.
• Registration with ECSA or eligibility for professional registration is advantageous.
• Additional qualifications in Reliability Engineering, Asset Management, or Project Management will be beneficial.

Experience Requirements

• 4–8 years of mechanical engineering experience in mining, metals, manufacturing, power generation, or heavy industry.
• Experience with rotating equipment, pumps, conveyors, crushers, compressors, and hydraulic systems.
• Knowledge of reliability-centered maintenance principles.
• Experience using SAP PM, CMMS, or related maintenance systems.
• Exposure to project engineering and plant optimisation initiatives.

Technical Skills

• Mechanical Design
• Reliability Engineering
• Asset Integrity Management
• Root Cause Analysis
• Predictive Maintenance
• Equipment Inspection
• Shutdown Management
• Project Coordination
• Risk Assessment
• Technical Reporting
• Budget Management
• Continuous Improvement

Salary & Benefits

Monthly Salary: ZAR 55,000 – ZAR 85,000 per month

• Annual Performance Bonus
• Medical Aid
• Pension Fund Contributions
• Life and Disability Cover
• Relocation Assistance (where applicable)
• Paid Annual Leave
• Employee Wellness Programs
• Professional Membership Support

Training & Development

• Graduate and Leadership Development Programs
• Reliability Engineering Workshops
• Project Management Training
• Safety Leadership Courses
• Asset Management Certification Support
• Technical Skills Enhancement Programs

Work Environment

The role involves working within heavy industrial and processing facilities where safety, operational excellence, and engineering innovation are critical. The successful candidate will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to support production objectives and long-term asset performance.

Preferred Competencies

• Leadership and Team Collaboration
• Problem Solving
• Analytical Thinking
• Communication Skills
• Project Planning
• Stakeholder Management
• Decision Making
• Continuous Improvement Mindset

Equal Opportunity Statement

South32 is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. Qualified applicants will be considered regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, disability status, or background.