Specialized Pharmaceutical Equipment Maintainer

Placements24; Graafwater; On-site; ZAR 480,000 - 720,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive contractor rates

State-of-the-art equipment

Long-term extensions based on perfomrm

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Specialized Pharmaceutical Equipment Maintainer for a Paarl-based role in a leading pharmaceutical manufacturing environment. The role covers preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, calibration, and validation of complex equipment used in production, quality control, and R&D, with strict adherence to GMP standards.

The ideal candidate has at least six years of GMP-regulated experience, strong mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic capabilities, ability to read

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years of experience in GMP-regulated environments (pharma/biotech) as maintenance tech or engineer.
• Strong mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic repair capabilities.
• Ability to read technical drawings/schematics and manuals.
• Experience with calibration techniques and validation procedures.

Responsibilities

• Perform preventative maintenance and inspections on pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment (tablet presses, encapsulators, mixers, reactors, sterile lines).
• Diagnose and troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic issues.
• Execute repairs and replace worn parts to restore optimal operation.
• Conduct calibration and validation of critical equipment per protocols.
• Maintain detailed GMP-compliant maintenance records.
• Collaborate with production, QA, and engineering to minimize downtime.

Skills

GMP compliance

Maintenance

Troubleshooting

Mechanical aptitude

Electrical aptitude

Calibration

Education

Technical certification in mechanical or electrical trades

Tools

Calibration equipment

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading pharmaceutical manufacturing company, is seeking a highly skilled and meticulous Specialized Pharmaceutical Equipment Maintainer to join their vital operations team in **Paarl, Western Cape**. This role is essential for ensuring the continuous and compliant operation of highly specialized equipment used in pharmaceutical production, quality control, and research and development. The ideal candidate will possess a robust mechanical and electrical aptitude, a strong understanding of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) environments, and experience with calibration and validation procedures. You will be responsible for preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and timely repairs of complex machinery, ensuring minimal disruption to production schedules and maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety. This is a critical role for maintaining operational integrity within a highly regulated industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform scheduled preventative maintenance and inspections on a wide range of pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment, including tablet presses, encapsulators, mixers, reactors, and sterile filling lines.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic issues with complex production machinery.
• Execute repairs and replace worn or defective parts, ensuring equipment is returned to optimal operating condition.
• Conduct calibration and validation of critical equipment as per established protocols and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain detailed records of all maintenance, repair, calibration, and validation activities in compliance with GMP standards.
• Read and interpret technical manuals, blueprints, schematics, and equipment specifications.
• Collaborate with production, quality assurance, and engineering teams to minimize equipment downtime and ensure process continuity.
• Respond to urgent equipment failure calls, providing rapid diagnostic and repair services.
• Ensure all work performed adheres to strict safety regulations and company policies.
• Assist in the installation and commissioning of new equipment.

Requirements

• Minimum of 6 years of experience as a Maintenance Technician or Engineer in a GMP-regulated environment, preferably pharmaceutical or biotech manufacturing.
• Proven expertise in maintaining and repairing complex mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic systems found in pharmaceutical production lines.
• Strong understanding of GMP principles and their application to equipment maintenance and validation.
• Experience with calibration techniques and using calibration equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, schematics, and equipment manuals.
• Excellent diagnostic and problem-solving skills with a systematic approach.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail for record-keeping.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Good communication skills to interact with various departments.
• Technical certification in mechanical or electrical trades, or equivalent experience.

Benefits

• Competitive contractor rates.
• Opportunity to work with state-of-the-art pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment.
• Gain experience in a highly regulated and advanced industry.
• Exposure to best practices in GMP environments.
• Potential for long-term contract extensions based on performance.