Senior Mechanical Engineer - Power Plant Maintenance

Placements24; Vereeniging; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Provident fund

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to bolster a maintenance team in Vereeniging, Gauteng. The role focuses on ensuring reliability and safety of mechanical systems in power generation facilities, with on-site oversight and remote administration.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, 7+ years’ experience in maintenance within thermal or renewable energy, and strong CMMS/predictive maintenance skills. Pr. Eng./Pr. Tech. Eng. is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• 7+ years in mechanical engineering with a maintenance focus.
• Pr. Eng./Pr. Tech. Eng. registration with ECSA preferred.
• Experience with power plant mechanical systems such as turbines and boilers.
• Experience with CMMS and predictive maintenance technologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical maintenance and repair activities for power plant equipment.
• Develop and implement preventative and predictive maintenance programs.
• Diagnose complex mechanical failures and perform root cause analysis.
• Oversee outages, shutdowns, and major overhauls within schedules and budgets.
• Review mechanical designs, specifications, and plant upgrade modifications.
• Ensure compliance with engineering standards, safety and environmental policies.
• Manage maintenance personnel, provide technical guidance and evaluations.
• Liaise with engineering, operations, procurement and external service providers.
• Maintain detailed maintenance records and generate technical reports.
• Contribute to continuous improvement for plant efficiency and safety.

Skills

Maintenance planning

Root cause analysis

Team leadership

Vibration analysis

Thermography

Strong communication

Hybrid work ability

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Pr. Eng./Pr. Tech. Eng. registration with ECSA preferred

Tools

CMMS

Predictive maintenance tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a key player in the South African energy infrastructure, is looking for a highly skilled Senior Mechanical Engineer to bolster their maintenance team in Vereeniging, Gauteng . This role is essential for ensuring the optimal performance, reliability, and safety of mechanical systems within their power generation facilities. You will be responsible for overseeing complex maintenance projects, diagnosing issues, and implementing preventative strategies. The position operates under a hybrid work model, requiring significant on-site engagement for hands-on oversight and collaboration, supplemented by remote administrative duties. Join us in Vereeniging, Gauteng , and play a vital role in keeping the lights on.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the mechanical maintenance and repair activities for power plant equipment, including turbines, pumps, boilers, and associated systems.
• Develop and implement comprehensive preventative and predictive maintenance programs to minimize downtime and extend equipment life.
• Diagnose complex mechanical failures, conduct root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.
• Oversee mechanical aspects of plant outages, shutdowns, and major overhauls, ensuring adherence to schedules and budgets.
• Review and approve mechanical designs, specifications, and modifications for plant upgrades and improvements.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant engineering standards, safety regulations, and environmental policies.
• Manage mechanical maintenance personnel, providing technical guidance, training, and performance evaluations.
• Liaise with engineering, operations, procurement, and external service providers.
• Maintain detailed maintenance records and generate technical reports on equipment performance and reliability.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing plant efficiency and operational safety.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in mechanical engineering, with a significant focus on maintenance within the thermal or renewable energy generation sector.
• Professional Engineer (Pr. Eng.) or Professional Engineering Technologist (Pr. Tech. Eng.) registration with ECSA is strongly preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of power plant mechanical systems, including steam turbines, gas turbines, boilers, and associated auxiliary equipment.
• Proven experience in maintenance planning, execution, and troubleshooting complex mechanical issues.
• Strong understanding of materials science, stress analysis, and fluid dynamics as applied to power plant operations.
• Experience with CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems) and predictive maintenance technologies (e.g., vibration analysis, thermography).
• Excellent leadership, project management, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment, managing both on-site operational needs and remote administrative tasks.
• Willingness to be on-call for emergency situations.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary package, comprehensive medical aid, a generous provident fund, and opportunities for professional development and advanced training. This role provides the chance to work on critical infrastructure in Vereeniging, Gauteng , contributing to the stability and reliability of the national energy supply. Join a supportive team dedicated to operational excellence and innovation in the energy field.