Site Engineer

Site Engineer

Recruiter

K2 Recruit

Job Ref

223035

Date posted

Thursday, July 2, 2026

Location

Cape Town, South Africa

SUMMARY

POSITION INFO

Key Responsibilities Engineering & Equipment Reliability Lead all equipment maintenance and reliability initiatives across the manufacturing site. Develop and implement preventative and planned maintenance programmes. Improve equipment uptime, reliability, and operational performance. Monitor equipment performance and identify opportunities for optimisation. Drive engineering best practices across all production assets. Maintenance & Asset Management Implement and manage Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS). Schedule preventative, predictive, and corrective maintenance activities. Develop maintenance strategies that minimise unplanned downtime. Maintain accurate maintenance records and equipment histories. Monitor maintenance KPIs and implement performance improvements. Automation & Control Systems Support and maintain automated manufacturing equipment. Troubleshoot PLCs, sensors, drives, and industrial control systems. Assist with automation upgrades and system enhancements. Support equipment integration and production technology improvements. Collaborate with production teams to optimise automated processes. Facilities & Utilities Management Oversee all site utilities including: Electrical infrastructure HVAC systems Compressed air systems Water systems Building infrastructure Ensure utilities operate efficiently and reliably. Coordinate maintenance of facilities and site infrastructure. Manage contractor performance and service delivery. Engineering Projects Lead engineering and capital improvement projects. Support equipment installation, commissioning, and validation. Develop project plans, budgets, and implementation schedules. Coordinate internal teams, suppliers, and contractors. Ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget. Root Cause Analysis & Continuous Improvement Lead investigations into equipment failures and recurring breakdowns. Conduct structured root cause analysis using recognised methodologies. Implement sustainable corrective and preventative actions. Drive continuous improvement initiatives to improve reliability, efficiency, and productivity. Support Lean Manufacturing and operational excellence programmes. Compliance & Site Services Ensure compliance with GMP, health & safety, and operational standards. Oversee site services including: Security Cleaning Waste Management Pest Control Support internal and external audits. Ensure engineering documentation and SOPs remain current and compliant. Reporting & Performance Management Develop engineering KPIs and maintenance dashboards. Analyse maintenance trends and equipment performance. Produce regular engineering and maintenance reports. Provide recommendations to improve asset utilisation and operational performance. About You You are a proactive, solutions-focused engineer with a passion for operational excellence and technical problem solving. You enjoy working in a hands-on manufacturing environment where no two days are the same and take pride in ensuring equipment, facilities, and infrastructure operate at peak performance. You combine strong mechanical, electrical, and automation knowledge with excellent project management skills and are comfortable leading technical teams, managing contractors, and driving engineering improvements across the site. You are analytical, highly organised, and capable of balancing reactive maintenance with long-term strategic improvement initiatives. Minimum Requirements Qualifications Degree in: Mechatronic Engineering Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering Industrial Engineering Or a related Engineering qualification Highly advantageous: Government Certificate of Competency (GCC) Project Management qualification PLC Programming Certification Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma Certification Experience 5–8 years' experience within a manufacturing or industrial environment. Proven experience managing engineering and maintenance functions. Strong exposure to automated manufacturing equipment. Experience with PLCs, sensors, drives, and industrial control systems. Experience implementing preventative and planned maintenance programmes. Experience managing engineering projects and contractor relationships. Experience with CMMS or maintenance management systems. FMCG, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, or food manufacturing experience will be advantageous. Technical Knowledge Engineering & Maintenance Preventative Maintenance Planned Maintenance Predictive Maintenance Reliability Engineering Asset Management Equipment Optimisation Mechanical & Electrical Maintenance CMMS Administration Automation & Controls PLC Programming & Troubleshooting Industrial Automation Variable Speed Drives Sensors & Instrumentation Control Systems Production Automation Facilities & Utilities Electrical Infrastructure HVAC Systems Compressed Air Systems Water Systems Building Maintenance Utilities Management Contractor Management Continuous Improvement Root Cause Analysis Preventative Action Planning Lean Manufacturing Continuous Improvement Equipment Optimisation Engineering Problem Solving Compliance GMP Standards Health & Safety Compliance SOP Development Engineering Documentation Audit Readiness Risk Management Core Competencies Technical Competencies Engineering Management Maintenance & Reliability Facilities Management Utilities Management PLC & Automation Systems Preventative Maintenance Root Cause Analysis Continuous Improvement Engineering Project Management Equipment Commissioning Contractor Management Asset Optimisation CMMS Administration Technical Documentation Maintenance KPI Reporting Manufacturing Operations Behavioural Competencies Leadership Technical Problem Solving Analytical Thinking Decision Making Ownership & Accountability Planning & Organising Attention to Detail Results Orientation Communication Skills Stakeholder Management Collaboration Adaptability Resilience Under Pressure Continuous Learning Initiative Ideal Candidate Profile We are looking for a technically capable and hands-on Site Engineer who enjoys solving engineering challenges and delivering operational excellence within a manufacturing environment. The ideal candidate combines strong engineering fundamentals with practical experience across maintenance, automation, utilities, and facilities management. They have a proven track record of improving equipment reliability, implementing preventative maintenance systems, and leading engineering projects that enhance productivity and operational efficiency. You will thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, balancing day-to-day operational demands with long-term improvement initiatives. With strong leadership, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills, you will play a key role in ensuring the site operates safely, efficiently, and reliably while supporting future growth and continuous improvement.