Factory Engineer (Textiles)

SUMMARY:
Are you a hands-on mechanical maintenance professional ready to step up and lead? Our client, a well-established textile manufacturing company based in KwaZulu-Natal, is looking for a Mechanical Maintenance Lead to take ownership of their plant maintenance function, keeping production running smoothly and leading a small team as the operation continues to grow!

POSITION INFO:
Key responsibilities

• Take full responsibility for mechanical maintenance across the plant, including planned, preventative, and breakdown maintenance on production and processing machinery.
• Manage and mentor a small team of three, building their skills while ensuring day-to-day workshop standards are met.
• Diagnose and resolve mechanical faults on rotating equipment, drives, gearboxes, bearings, pumps, pneumatics, and hydraulics.
• Carry out and oversee component replacements, alignments, lathe work, and routine servicing.
• Drive continuous improvement in maintenance practices to reduce downtime and extend equipment life.
• Maintain compliance with the OHS Act, machinery safety standards, and statutory maintenance registers and SOPs.
• Manage spares inventory, job cards, and maintenance records with strong attention to detail.
• Liaise with production and engineering teams to align maintenance planning with plant output.

• N3 – N6 Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Heavy Current preferred).
• National Diploma (N Dip / S4) in Electrical Engineering
• Red Seal trade test certificate
• Proven experience as a Mechanic, Fitter, or similar mechanical trade background, ideally within a manufacturing or plant environment.
• Experience managing or supervising a small team is highly preferred.
• Solid working knowledge of mechanical plant systems (pumps, gearboxes, drives, pneumatics, hydraulics).
• Understanding of OHS Act compliance and machinery safety requirements.
• Valid driver's licence.
• Candidates who are plug-and-play, able to step in and run the function with minimal ramp-up will be prioritised.

• Confident, hands-on leader who can run a workshop and a small team simultaneously.
• Strong problem-solver with solid mechanical aptitude.
• Organised, with good record-keeping and audit-readiness.
• Safety-conscious and proactive.
• Genuine interest in continuing to develop and upskill, with room to grow into a broader engineering role over time.